EDINBURGH: The Highland bagpipe is an integral part of Scottish culture and history, famous for its distinctive, powerful sound that even accompanied troops as they landed in northern France on D-Day.

But the wind instrument is slowly growing silent as demand dwindles and machine-made bagpipes replace traditionally crafted ones, consigning their use to largely ceremonial occasions.

Just off Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, which sweeps down from the city’s imposing castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is a faded storefront sign for artisan bagpipe maker Kilberry Bagpipes.

Inside, Ruari Black is one of only a few remaining craftsmen in Edinburgh who knows how to make the instrument by hand.

“At Kilberry, we’re one of the last artisan bagpipe makers — certainly in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland — but probably all around the world,” Black said as he shaped a pipe with a lathe. “It’s got a big sound, it’ll fill a room,” said Black, describing the nine stages it takes to make the intricate instrument.

After boring and shaping the pipes, they are fitted with mounts and ferrules before adding the finishing touches and setting up the components. The whole process takes around a week, with the craftsmen working on multiple bagpipes at the same time.

The finished product has “our distinct sound”, according to Black.

Published in Dawn, October 21th, 2024