R. G. Hardie & Co are delighted to introduce our new Heritage Bagpipes, designed and created in celebration of 150 years of the crafting of Peter Henderson Bagpipes.
“We are proud to be the curator of Peter Henderson’s legacy as a bagpipe maker,” said Alastair Dunn, Managing Director of R. G. Hardie & Co. “Peter Henderson Bagpipes are the most sought after instrument in the world and we are thrilled to add the Heritage set to this family of beautiful instruments.”
Peter Henderson Heritage Bagpipes are made from African Blackwood, exotic Satinwood from East India and decorated using nickel with a unique laser-etched thistle design. As a unique design element, the projecting mount profile is based upon a 1910 set, which are more refined in comparison to those of the 1920s, and are made of Satinwood. Each piece of Satinwood is carefully selected to ensure a first-grade rating and polished to a high natural lustre, providing a beautiful contrast to African Blackwood.
Heritage Bagpipes are decorated with a thistle design with a level of detail that can only be achieved with R.G. Hardie & Co’s state-of-the-art software and laser etching.
As with all R.G. Hardie & Co African Blackwood bagpipes, the Heritage set features an innovative plastic lining system in the blowpipe and blowpipe stock which protects the inside of the wood from the stresses and strains caused by moisture.
Each set of Heritage Bagpipes come with their own unique number engraved on the bass stock.
History of Peter Henderson Bagpipes
R. G. Hardie & Co records indicate that Peter Henderson Bagpipes was established in 1868.Though it was not until 1880 that Henderson established his shop in Glasgow, it is believed that the date of 1868 refers to the year that he finished his bagpipe-making apprenticeship under Thomas MacBean Glen and sons in Edinburgh.
Peter Henderson took over the shop of Donald MacPhee in 17 Royal Arcade, Glasgow in 1880. The Royal Arcade is now demolished, but connected Hope Street to Cowcaddens Road – appropriately enough, very close to where the National Piping Centre now stands.
Henderson was born in Fife in 1851, and aside from making bagpipes he also published music. He died in 1902, the company staying with the family until it was acquired by R. G. Hardie and Co.in 1973. From 1903 to 1925 the company was managed by John MacDougall Gillies, whose fame as a piper turned the shop into the hub of piping in Glasgow. Peter Henderson bagpipes are highly sought after and played by top soloists and pipe bands across the world including multiple world champions Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band.