McCallum, Wallace or Duncan MacRae: Which Bagpipes Should I Buy?
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It's the question we're asked more than any other: "Which bagpipes should I buy?" At JC Piping we supply three of the best Scottish makers – McCallum, Wallace and Duncan MacRae – and all three make excellent instruments. The right choice comes down to how you play, the look you want, and your budget. Here's a straightforward guide from Pipe Major James Cowie.
The short answer
- McCallum – our most popular choice for band and solo pipers. Consistent, stable and backed by a 10-year guarantee.
- Wallace – the widest choice of styles and finishes, available sticks only or fully assembled, with a 2-year guarantee.
- Duncan MacRae – faithful reproductions of the famous MacRae pipes, for pipers who want a classic old-style sound and look, with a 5-year guarantee.
McCallum Bagpipes – Kilmarnock, Scotland
McCallum make every set in Kilmarnock from African blackwood, and JC Piping has been the Australian McCallum distributor since 2004. Their AB range runs from the plain AB0 through to the engraved AB4, with Deluxe versions available. Every set comes ready to play with a synthetic zip bag, cover, silk cords, synthetic drone reeds, pipe chanter and case, and we assemble and play-test every set before it leaves us.
Best for: pipers who want a reliable, steady instrument with a long guarantee – from a first full-size set to top-grade band pipes.
Wallace Bagpipes – Glasgow, Scotland
Wallace turn their pipes in Glasgow, combining CNC precision with hand finishing. Their range is split in two:
- Standard – plain-turned drones (smooth, no combing or beading). Simple, tough and great value.
- Classic – the traditional combed and beaded drone profile, with finishes from plain nickel up to fully engraved nickel.
Every Wallace set can be bought sticks only (if you already have a bag, reeds and cords) or fully assembled with bag, reeds, cords, cover and a Bagpiper Case.
Best for: pipers who want to pick an exact look, or who want to fit their own bag and reeds.
Duncan MacRae Bagpipes by Stuart Liddell
Duncan MacRae was a renowned Glasgow pipe maker, and his old pipes are still prized for their sound. The SL range reproduces them, developed with leading solo piper Stuart Liddell and made by McCallum in Kilmarnock. Four finishes are available, from the simple SL1 to the engraved SL4.
Best for: pipers who love the classic MacRae look and tone and want it in a new, guaranteed instrument.
Understanding the finishes
- Combed & beaded vs plain-turned: combing and beading are the decorative rings turned into the drones. They don't change the sound much – it's mainly about looks and tradition.
- Imitation ivory: the white mounts and ferrules give a traditional look without using real ivory.
- Nickel or alloy: metal ferrules, ring caps and slides are hard-wearing. Engraved metal is the dressier option for competition and performance.
- Blackwood mounts: an all-dark look, often paired with engraved or plain metal.
Sticks only or fully assembled?
If this is your first set, choose fully assembled. You'll get pipes that are set up and ready to play, with everything matched and tested. Choose sticks only if you already have a bag, reeds and cords you like.
How long does delivery take?
Most new sets are made to order in Scotland. Allow 8–10 weeks for manufacture, plus shipping. If you need pipes for a particular competition or event, get in touch early and we'll do our best to help.
Still not sure? Ask James
Every piper is different. Tell us your level, your band (if any) and your budget, and Pipe Major James Cowie – two-time World Champion – will recommend the right set for you. Visits by appointment in Perth, or contact us by phone or email. We ship Australia-wide.