MWilliam Ross was born March 27, 1823 and enlisted in the Black Watch in 1839. In 1854 he was appointed
piper to Queen Victoria and operated a bagpipe making business while living in London. In 1880 he went
into partnership with Henry Starck.
Not much is known of William Ross bagpipes however I was fortunate
enough to receive pictures of this chanter. The stamp says it all. This chanter most likely pre-dates
his relationship with Starck.
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Kenneth MacLeay - 1802 - 1878 - Queen Victoria commissioned MacLeay to paint portraits of her favorite
servants in 1865. The project took four years and is considered MacLeay's best work. This portrait
is of William Ross, Piper to Queen Victoria, at Windsor Castle in 1866.
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The painting shows Ross with a magnificent bagpipe in full silver and with fully silvered stocks, what
can only be described as unique and extravagant.
Could this be the bagpipe made for Queen Victora
by Duncan MacDougall? According to J. Campbell (p. 8 of her outstanding book Highland Bagpipe Makers)
Duncan's prices "ranged from 50 shillings to £50 according to the value of the mountings."
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She went on to say that "the set made for the Queen cost £60 as there was a lot of silver on them."
The reader may draw his or her own conclusion however it seems probable that the set referred to is
none other than the set Ross is seen holding here. Who else in the Queen's court was worthy of such
a set?
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