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The MacDougall bagpipe making history goes back to the 16th Century and perhaps even further. They
were not only hereditary pipers but also skilled at turning wood and making their own bagpipes. Although
there is certainly a "pre" history, Allan MacDougall moved from Taymouth Castle, where he was employed
as a piper, to Perth sometime between 1781 and 1790. In 1790 he married and opened a bagpipe making business.
His son, John MacDougall (January 31, 1802), took over the business around 1834. The bagpipe below
came with a chanter marked MacDougall, PERTH. Experts believe that the bagpipe pre-dates the chanter
considerably and may well reach back to 1750.
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Based on pictures found here and Jeanne Campbell's belief that the bagpipe seen there was made around
the time of the battle of Culloden, this bagpipe might pre-date that instrument in all but the chanter.
We also know how unreliable a chanter can be in establishing either a maker or a date of manufacture.
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I found this picture entitled "Father Allan" however I've yet to track down the origin of the picture
or the story behind the picture. Hopefully someone will recognize this and come forward.
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