I encountered my first Duncan Gillies bagpipe in Brantford Ontario many years ago. Long-time friend Michael Collins had received a box of old bagpipe parts and immediately thought of me. Barry Shears was able to confirm that the maker was Duncan Gillies from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. We learned that Gillies made bagpipes from 1886 to about 1920 and did so in the style of bagpipes brought over from Scotland in the early 1800’s.
Barry is the premier authority on early piping on the east coast of Canada. More information on Gillies and his bagpipe is available at Barry’s website. Barry is an ardent bagpipe archaeologist on early bagpipes as they appeared on the east coast of Canada. His work is invaluable in piecing together the history of early highland bagpipes in North America.
