James Hutcheon was born in Edinburgh in 1823. He first appeared in the Edinburgh classified directory in 1856 as a turner. It was not until 1887 that he appeared in the directory as a Bagpipe Maker. It is reasonable to conclude that he was in the employ of one of several bagpipe makers in and around Edinburgh until opening a business for himself.
I have restored a few Hutcheon bagpipes and came away wondering why every nickel ferrule was slightly unique in size. The quality of nickel was poor and of a very thin gauge. Actually, ferrules and rings seemed more like tin than nickel. They were also formed and soldered from a flat piece and pinned into place. Still I found the overall quality of the instrument quite good.
Note the three scribe-lines cut into the button mounts. This might have been to differentiate their product from other Edinburgh makers.
Immediately below are two examples of Hutcheon’s flat-combed Great Highland Bagpipe. It must have been a popular model as many have surfaced. I have found Hutcheon bagpipes made of ebony, cocuswood and African Blackwood.
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