Video tour of McCallum Bagpipes

When we re-opened McCallum Bagpipes on June 29, 2020 we were asked by The Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming for a short video tour of how things are at McCallum Bagpipes since we started back. It was followed by a live question and answer session and we thought it would be interesting for everyone to see how we are operating in these strange times.

This is a video of the people on the first shift which runs from 6 am till 2.00 pm, and then the second shift starts at 2.15 so there is minimal contact between the two shifts.

Our producer, director and cameraman (Kenny) was well pleased with his first time using the new equipment and wanted everyone to know: “If you’re looking for somebody to video your wedding or party, I’m sure we can work out a good deal”. :-)

We really look forward to the time when we can meet and show you all round the factory again, but this will let you see what we are doing now.

Unboxing Fred Morrison uilleann pipes

Check out this YouTube clip done by Matt Willis of him unboxing and playing a set of Fred Morrison uilleann pipes.

It’s a great channel with loads of very helpful piping tips and there’s all sorts of bagpipe content from technique, tunes, exercises, to unboxing videos, to how-to guides on bagpipe maintenance and more.

It’s an excellent and helpful resource and well worth a look.

For details and pricing on the pipes contact Fred Morrison direct… fredmorrisonpipes.com

Dear friends, we are back!

In line with Scottish government advice, we are in full production from today. The Highland Dress side of the business is still closed for now, and shop visit will be one person at a time with all social distancing requirements observed.

It’s been a long haul but we are happy to say that nobody in the McCallum team has been ill with this horrible virus. We hope it’s been the same for you, health has to be the priority.

We’re here to help, and we are looking forward to getting our piping lives back to something like normal.

Stay safe and healthy,

Stuart, Kenny and everyone ay McCallum Bagpipes.

COVID-19 update from McCallum Bagpipes

It is with regret that we are having to close the factory from today and for the foreseeable future.

The covid 19 virus is a huge world-wide problem and the numbers and risk of people dying is rising. We need to minimise these risks and want to look after our customers and great staff.

We will still reply to email, so you can contact the emails below.

stuart@Mccallumbagpipes.com

emma@Mccallumbagpipes.com

kenny@Mccallumbagpipes.com

We have just made a payment of £ 1000.00 to our local health board, Ayrshire and Arran NHS, it’s a small gesture to show we appreciate all they are doing at the moment.

That payment has been done thanks to you, all our great customers.

Stay safe and we hope to get things back to normal in the near future.

Kind Regards,

Stuart McCallum

McCallum Folk Pipes

The Folk Pipes have been designed by McCallum Bagpipes to play along with other instruments, allowing the piper to use a blowing and bag pressure technique as they would with Highland pipes. The low A note on the chanter is tuned to concert pitch A (440Hz) which means that the pipes will naturally play in the keys used by other musicians when playing traditional/folk music. The pipes come set-up, ready to play with covers and cords, a synthetic bag, moisture control system, chanter reed and synthetic drone reeds.
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McCallum PC1, PC2 and PC4 Coloured Practice Chanters

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New Zealand summer school, Christchurch

The annual Christchurch summer school was another great hit this year with a smashing high enrolment of 162 in attendance.
Many congratulations to all those who took part.  The tune writing competition that 
McCallum Bagpipes sponsors was a big hit also and very keenly contested.  Jack Lee
awarded the winners their well deserved prizes. 
The famous wee McCallum towles were given away to all the other honourable mentions.
Click on the tune names below to see the successful entries.

 1st Prize

Ben Murray  Tune-Imposter Benson, hornpipe. 

Winning the McC2 chanter 

 

 

 

2nd Prize

Morgan Tabuteau Tune- The Piper, 2/4 march.

Winning the McCallum Full Alloy PC9 practice chanter

 

 

3rd Prize

Sue Muir Tune-Dillemic Crossing, 2/4 march. 

Winning the McCallum Full Alloy PC7 practice chanter

Running for Charity

Our very own Stuart McCallum recently took part in the Glasgow Half Marathon along with over 24,000 other keen (crazy)runners, finishing in a very respectable 2hrs.
Stuart decided that when he would do the run he would try his best and  raise as much money as he could for a local charity that is very close to all our hearts.  Up until now he has raised an amazing £4750 and donations are still coming in.  If you feel you would like to make a wee donation before it shuts please click on the link below

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/StuartMcCallum1

 

The Ayrshire Hospice.

The Ayrshire Hospice, located in Ayr, provides Specialist Palliative Care for people with cancer and other life limiting illnesses and support for their families and carers across Ayrshire.

All Hospice services are free of charge and as a registered charity we rely on the support and generosity of our supporters without whom the Hospice could not exist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stuart and his fellow runners showing off their medals on the way to the nearest pub to ‘rehydrate’ ………they said!!

McCallum Pipe Chanters win 1st 2nd & 3rd

The final of the Bagad National Championship (grade 1) was held as it is every year at the Festival Interceltic of Lorient.  After this final, Bagad Kemper were crowned Champions of Brittany for the 20th time.

In this competion the three highest ranked pipes corps all played with McCallum pipe chanters.





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Bagad Kemper 2012 Champions)

Pipe Corps Results (Lorient contest)

1st          Bagad Cap Caval          2nd          Bagad Brieg          3rd          Bagad Kemper

Overall (Lorient contest)

1st          Bagad Kemper              2nd          Bagad Brieg          3rd          Bagad Cap Caval

2012 Championship

1st          Bagad Kemper              2nd          Bagad Cap Caval          3rd          Kevrenn Alre

 The McCallum Bagpipe chanter that has been so successful for the bands is called the Breton chanter which is slightly lower pitched to blend in with the bombards and the coloured buttons are inserted into the holes so that the pipers can play C natural and F natural without changing their fingering.

Red Stick Regional

Congratulations to David Corbett of Marion, Arkansas who won Piper of the Day at this EUSPBA piping competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.  It is only the 2nd time this event has been held but with a good attendance this year and everybody being so enthusiastic and having such a great day there are sure to be many more to come.


David Corbett(centre) receiving his McCallum Bagpipes Full Alloy Practice Chanter from judges John Rcknagel and Iain Macey

Below all the participants at the event plus Izmir the guide dog who helped his owner to the judges table. 

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