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, to Perth sometime between 1781 and 1790. In 1790 he married and in 1791 he was described as a "turner". Further evidence indicates that these skills were used in making bagpipes in 1818.
John MacDougall, Allan's son, was born January 31, 1802. He took over his father's bagpipe business around 1834 and was listed as a turner and bagpipe maker in the 1860 directory. John's son, Duncan, is believed to have taken over the business in 1857.
It should be understood that the MacDougall bagpipe businesses passed from one generation to the next with probable overlap. Changes took place along the way and do not necessarily line up with the exact date of transfer.
Although there is certainly a "pre" history, Allan MacDougall moved from Taymouth Castle, where he was employed as a piper, to Perth sometime between 1781 and 1790. In 1790 he married and in 1791 he was described as a "turner". Further evidence indicates that these skills were used in making bagpipes in 1818.
John MacDougall, Allan's son, was born January 31, 1802. He took over his father's bagpipe business around 1834 and was listed as a turner and bagpipe maker in the 1860 directory. John's son, Duncan, is believed to have taken over the business in 1857.
It should be understood that the MacDougall bagpipe businesses passed from one generation to the next with probable overlap. Changes took place along the way and do not necessarily line up with the exact date of transfer.
The bores of the tenor bottoms were very large and the tenor tops tuned high on the pins. It was made of ebony and the tenor drones were brilliant. The bass was a replacement and never quite lived up to the tenors. I wish I had this horn back as I think I figured out what the issue was.
MacDougall bagpipes changed dramatically over the years. It seems that none of the MacDougall makers remained faithful to any one pattern or style. Projecting mounts might have a cut-in or they may not. They might have a rounded bead or they might have a cut-bead, similar to Edinburgh makers like Glen, Hutcheon, and others. You might find wide cord holders on all three drones, or you might find them on the bass drone only. You might find cord holders with "normal" spacing. You might find ferrules and rings with beads and scribe lines or you might find them without.
Without a doubt the bores changed greatly over the years. I've only heard and played a couple of MacDougall bagpipes that I would attribute to John and they were outstanding. A good Duncan MacDougall bagpipe is pretty amazing, but not all were. Those bagpipes stamped G C MacDougall were actually made by his brother, John. They were good and then they weren't. No one is sure why the bores changed, but they did and the bagpipe lost its magic.
Without a doubt the bores changed greatly over the years. I've only heard and played a couple of MacDougall bagpipes that I would attribute to John and they were outstanding. A good Duncan MacDougall bagpipe is pretty amazing, but not all were. Those bagpipes stamped G C MacDougall were actually made by his brother, John. They were good and then they weren't. No one is sure why the bores changed, but they did and the bagpipe lost its magic.
This next example was rescued at auction in Sarasota FL. It is believed to be the work of John MacDougall, however the door was left open just a bit pending compelling evidence one way or the other. Again, it lines up quite favorably with the two bagpipes above.
The MacDougall bagpipe above belongs to Alex Gandy and is believed to be the work of John MacDougall. It is almost identical to the bagpipe below, which I owned for several years.
John MacDougall