The MacDougall bagpipe making history goes back to the 16th Century and perhaps even further. They were not only hereditary pipers but also skilled at turning wood and making their own bagpipes.
Although there is certainly a "pre" history, Allan MacDougall moved from Taymouth Castle, where he was employed as a piper, in Perth sometime between 1781 and 1790. In 1790 he married and opened a bagpipe making business.
His son, John MacDougall (January 31, 1802), took over the business around 1834. The bagpipe pictured to the right came with a chanter marked MacDougall, PERTH. Experts believe that the bagpipe pre-dates the chanter considerably and may well reach back to 1750.
Although there is certainly a "pre" history, Allan MacDougall moved from Taymouth Castle, where he was employed as a piper, in Perth sometime between 1781 and 1790. In 1790 he married and opened a bagpipe making business.
His son, John MacDougall (January 31, 1802), took over the business around 1834. The bagpipe pictured to the right came with a chanter marked MacDougall, PERTH. Experts believe that the bagpipe pre-dates the chanter considerably and may well reach back to 1750.
Above is an extremely rare practice chanter stamped A. MacDougall. According to Jeannie Campbell outstanding research and subsequent book, The first mention of Allan as a bagpipe maker occurs in The Bagpipe Preceptor by Captain Menzies, published 1815:
"I shall bring up my practising chanter, made by Allan MacDougall, pipe-maker, High Street, Perth; and if you promise to make good use of it, I shall make you a present of it."
"I shall bring up my practising chanter, made by Allan MacDougall, pipe-maker, High Street, Perth; and if you promise to make good use of it, I shall make you a present of it."
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These images are courtesy of long-time good friend Andreas Hartmann-Virnich of France. His primary interest is in the very earliest (pre-1800)instruments and makers.
Allan MacDougall Border Pipes
The Allan MacDougall bagpipe below was a wonderful find in...Tucson Arizona! It was in a small suitcase in a garage and headed toward the bin! It was undergone careful restoration and now resides with Andreas Hartmann-Virnich in France.
If you saw the bagpipe above at auction, would you know what you were looking at? We did but we were too late. Allan MacDougall bagpipe with a shield dated 1828. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
The Allan MacDougall bagpipe above is probably a bit older than the instrument below, although the profiles of wood and ivory are very similar. It's always an added bonus to find textiles intact.
The pictures above are courtesy of Dougie Forsythe from New Zealand. They are said to be an 1830 MacDougall which would clearly indicate Allan. The projecting mounts seem to be in line. The bass mid-section and the blowpipe look to be replacements.
The bagpipe below belongs to good friend Andreas Hartman-Virnich and arrived with a chanter stamped "MacDougall Perth". I will allow that it might be Allen or it might be John. Much too old to be Duncan.
The bagpipe below belongs to good friend Andreas Hartman-Virnich and arrived with a chanter stamped "MacDougall Perth". I will allow that it might be Allen or it might be John. Much too old to be Duncan.
Allan MacDougall