About Us

History of Bagpipes Galore

"Your friend in the Bagpipe Business"

Bagpipes Galore have been trading in Edinburgh, Scotland for around 30 years.

Our initial aim was to offer an alternative to old fashioned and often unhelpful bagpipe suppliers. Customer service is still our top priority but this is linked with our desire to offer instruments of professional quality at prices that are not prohibitive to beginners.

The business was started in the early 1990s by Ralph Hepburn at the very bottom of the Royal Mile where the Scottish Government building now stands. In 2012, Bagpipes Galore moved to pastures green in Haymarket.  Although a smaller store, this became more of a home and a more feesable premises during the finalncial crises.  Having comfrotably survived the crises, our store at Haymarket Terrace was beginning to feel a bit too small for the business. In 2017, the owner of our sister company Varsity Music Shop was retiring so we decided to combine the two companies under one roof for our permanent future at:

8a-10a Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DH, U.K.

Our newest and largest premises yet, at Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, stocks many different types of musical instruments from around the world and we are pleased to confirm we have a wide range of Highland Bagpipes for sale! 

Some products designed and produced by Bagpipes Galore include :

"PRACTICE PIPES" - The most popular indoor highland bagpipe in the world!

"STEADY DRONES" - Regarded as the best alternative to cane drone reeds!

"SUREFIRE SYNTHETIC BAGPIPE CHANTER REEDS" - Synthetic pipe chanter reeds with an amazing "Cane" sound and the durability/stability that pipers have been dreaming about!

The proprietor of Bagpipes Galore, Ralph Hepburn, studied highland bagpipe making under Joe Haggan who had started his turning life as a lawn bowls maker and moved on to bagpipe manufacture in the 1960s working for some of the biggest names in the history of Highland Bagpipes including Lawrie, Henderson and then Grainger and Campbell. He was kind enough to teach us most of his tricks of the trade. Unforunately Joe passed away in 2019, however his invaluable skills, tips and tricks will remain with us forever.

Bagpipes Galore Store Front from 2017