Donald MacLeod began the family business in Tain in 1890. His son, Torquil, carried on building and repairing bagpipes and fiddles after his father died in 1960, until his own death in 1974.
Already established as a maker of the Highland bagpipe, Torquil took to violin as musical fashions changed. His instrument has been praised for it's 'breadth of tone' and 'rewarding nature'.
There is an exhibit at Inverness Museum, including his tools, one or two of his later violins and some pipes.
Already established as a maker of the Highland bagpipe, Torquil took to violin as musical fashions changed. His instrument has been praised for it's 'breadth of tone' and 'rewarding nature'.
There is an exhibit at Inverness Museum, including his tools, one or two of his later violins and some pipes.
The bagpipe above is thought to be a Donald MacLeod (Tain) bagpipe. It resembles more than a couple of makers from that era working in and around Glasgow. Many might rush to judgement figuring it to be a Henderson bagpipe however several details take us elsewhere.
Donald and Torquil MacLeod, Tain
