William Ross was born March 27, 1823 and enlisted in the Black Watch in 1839. In 1854 he was appointed piper to Queen Victoria and operated a bagpipe making business while living in London. In 1880 he went into partnership with Henry Starck.
Kenneth MacLeay – 1802 – 1878 – Queen Victoria commissioned MacLeay to paint portraits of her favorite servants in 1865. The project took four years and is considered MacLeay’s best work. This portrait is of William Ross, Piper to Queen Victoria, at Windsor Castle in 1866. The painting shows Ross with a magnificent bagpipe in full silver and with fully silvered stocks, what can only be described as unique and extravagant. Could this be the bagpipe made for Queen Victora by Duncan MacDougall? According to J. Campbell (p. 8 of her outstanding book Highland Bagpipe Makers) Duncan’s prices “ranged from 50 shillings to £50 according to the value of the mountings.” She went on to say that “the set made for the Queen cost £60 as there was a lot of silver on them.” The reader may draw his or her own conclusion however it seems probable that the set referred to is none other than the set Ross is seen holding here (below). Who else in the Queen’s court was worthy of such a set?
Years ago Jim McGillivray, Andreas Hartmann-Virnich, and I happened upon the photograph (CDV) above. You can imagine our absolute joy! MacLeay was also a photographer. His photo and painting (center) of William Ross is undeniable. As in the Victorian style, MacLeay took artistic freedom in creating the background for his painting. Otherwise the detail in the picture and in the painting is nearly identical. An amazing historical treasure.
The tag on this bagpipe refers to Private John George MacKay, 2nd batalion Scots Guards, who was killed in action on the 29th of May 1900 at the battle of Biddulphsberg/Skirmish of Senekal. Stamped impressions on the bottom of the stocks are “W Ross”.
So, prior to 1880, who made bagpipes for William Ross? When Ross approached Henry Starck to build bagpipes, did Starck copy an existing bagpipe or was he guided by someone or something else? The earliest Starck bagpipes are nearly identical to those stamped “W. Ross” which leads to many questions. The price list shown here is from 1869.
