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Peter Henderson is known to have started his bagpipe making business in 1880, having taken over the
premises of Donald MacPhee. Henderson advertising states that the family had been making bagpipes since
1868. I have seen one Henderson bagpipe with silver that is hallmarked 1865. It is believed that Peter's
father, Donald, made those Henderson bagpipes that pre-date 1880, although there does not seem to be
definitive proof of this. The Henderson bagpipe is preferred by bands and solo players alike for its
powerful rich sound. Many of the very early Henderson bagpipes are ebony or cocus wood. I've seen several
ABW Henderson bagpipes with the bass top only made of cocus wood.
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This Henderson is ca WWI and was rescued from a closet in Connecticut. I referred to it as "Gabriel's
horn" and played it for many years while in the Clan MacFarlane Pipe Band. It is an exceptional bagpipe
currently being played in the St. Andrews band from Kansas City.
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This bagpipe was brought to Nova Scotia Canada in 1906 by P.M. George Dey. George worked in Henderson's
shop in the late 1800's and would play nothing but Henderson bagpipes. George made these bagpipes himself
(of course) and chose to mount them in aluminum to lighten the load on his shoulder. Those of you who
are familiar with Duncan MacRae will recognize the tuning slides as a retro-fit.
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This is a great set of Henderson bagpipes hallmarked 1888. They were given to the Guelph Pipe Band
and are being played there today.
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The set immediately below is unique. It was a presentation set where the plaque is hallmarked 1915
and refers to a presentation date of 1916. The silver fittings are hallmarked 1914 and are cast. Actually
they were cast in pieces and soldered together and then had additional detail "chased" throughout. Oh
yeah, the design? The same dragon design as found on Calum Piobaire's Henderson bagpipe dated 1865.
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There are many great Henderson bagpipes and then there are the few that stand out above and beyond.
Certainly some here in the Museum qualify as being "THE BEST OF THE BEST" however there are perhaps
none more valuable that Calum Piobaire's Henderson. I've reserved a special place for this bagpipe.
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The Henderson below was made just after WWI as evidenced by the casien rings. You don't see too many
of these and they truly are excellent bagpipes.
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The Henderson above was made at the time of the Boer War and was owned by Lindsay Kirkwood. The inserts
are from a set of silver & ivory Henderson pipes dated 1930. The Henderson below is made of Duala Ebony
and probably pre-dates 1900. It produces a very rich warm sound.
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This is a very nice Henderson from 1925. The owner had the plain silver put on by Henderson in 1954.
The catalin has oxidized to a burnt orange color but remains snowy white underneath.
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Following WWII the quality of Henderson pipes dropped off however they came roaring back in the late
1960's. Some of the best Henderson bagpipes today were made during those last years. They are best
identified by a somewhat "beefy" look, and thick heavy beads throughout.
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Here's roughly the same vintage bagpipe in full catalin.
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