ABOUT US
Kintail Bagpipe Makers manufacture world famous bagpipes
KINTAIL®
DAVID GLEN & SONS®
J & R GLEN®
Our continuous investment in people and equipment has set the benchmark
for handmade bagpipes in the market today.
We are committed to delivering happiness to our customers
by providing the highest quality musical instruments.
SUPERB CRAFTSMANSHIP
It takes talent and many years of training, perseverance, acquired knowledge and refinement of skills to become a master bagpipe maker. Only the very best bagpipe makers in the trade will qualify to manufacture the finest instruments under the trademark names
Kintail®
David Glen & Sons®
J & R Glen®
Constant monitoring of every step in the manufacturing process is necessary to ensure that the end product is to the highest possible standard.
Only when the finished product passes all aspects of our strict quality control they can be released to leave our workshop.
HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIALS
We use the highest quality materials. The best sound can only be achieved by selecting the finest African Blackwood. Correct storage and preparation of our musical instrument grade wood over many years will ensure durability and superb sound properties.
Our metalwork is handmade to follow the traditional way of bagpipe making. You have the choice of plain nickel, plain sterling silver or hand engraved sterling silver. We believe our trusted silversmiths offer the best engraving available in today’s market.
The appearance of our purpose made Elftooth™ Imitation Ivory is simply spectacular. It is durable and its appearance is as close as we can get to the real stuff. It’s expensive to manufacture but doesn’t cost an elephant’s life!
PROVEN DIMENSIONS
Our internal bores and outside shapes all reflect proven sizes that haven been used very successfully with Glen Bagpipes since 1827 and Kintail Bagpipes since 1971.
We are proud to continue in the art of traditional bagpipe making by hand, using original sizes and tooling. If the end product can be even further enhanced by modern manufacturing and technology we are not opposed to incorporating such elements into the production process as necessary.
BRILLIANT APPEARANCE & SOUND
The appearance of African Blackwood is spectacular!
The patterns, turning, combing and beading as well as the overall finish on our bagpipes are world class.
All instruments are hand polished to protect the surface and preserve the brilliance of the instrument over time.
Expert Advice
Choosing the right musical instrument requires careful consideration -
we are happy to guide you through the process!
COMPANY HISTORY
Kintail was founded by Greig Sharp in April 1971 after 10 years of employment with Peter Henderson Ltd as manager/company secretary.
Sharp insisted on quality and commitment to customers. After Peter Henderson Ltd temporarily closed their workshop following the Henderson family’s decision to alter the structure of the bagpipe making side of the business, Sharp was able to acquire machinery, tooling and employ the tradesmen of Peter Henderson to establish Kintail.
We celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2021 and are proud to continue offering the highest quality products crafted in the traditional way – based on the business ethos that our founder established all these years ago.
Greig Sharp
Alexander Glen of Edinburgh started making bagpipes in 1835.
The business was taken over by David Glen in 1873 and changed to
David Glen & Sons in 1912.
David Glen & Sons was taken over by J & R Glen in 1949.
David Glen
Thomas Glen of Edinburgh was first recorded to make bagpipes as early as 1827.
J & R Glen took over the business from Thomas Glen and continued the art of making highest quality musical instruments in the Glen tradition from 1867 until 1979.
Kintail Bagpipe Makers acquired all remaining tooling, stock and intellectual property rights to J & R Glen incorporating the brands of Thomas Glen, Alexander Glen, David Glen as well as David Glen & Sons.
John Glen
Robert Glen