About Us

About Us – Bagpipes Galore

Founded in the early 1990s in the heart of Edinburgh, Bagpipes Galore began with a simple vision: to make high-quality bagpipes and musical instruments more accessible, without compromising on craftsmanship or tradition.

Starting life at the foot of the historic Royal Mile, the business quickly established a reputation for friendly, knowledgeable service and a fresh approach to bagpipe retail. From the outset, we focused on supporting players of all levels—from complete beginners to seasoned professionals—by offering reliable instruments at fair prices.

As the business grew, so did our ambition. In 2012, we relocated to Haymarket, navigating the challenges of the financial climate while continuing to expand our customer base. By 2017, we had outgrown that space and moved to a larger, permanent home on Nicolson Street, following a successful merger with Varsity Music Shop. This marked a new chapter, allowing us to broaden our range and serve an even wider musical community.

A key part of our identity lies in innovation and craftsmanship. We don’t just sell bagpipes—we design and develop our own products. From practice pipes and steady drone reeds to synthetic chanter reeds, our focus has always been on improving playability, consistency, and reliability for modern pipers.

Our roots in traditional bagpipe making run deep. Founder Ralph Hepburn trained under respected maker Joe Haggan, whose own experience connects back to some of Scotland’s most historic bagpipe makers. This heritage continues to influence everything we do today.

Today, Bagpipes Galore is proud to be one of Scotland’s leading specialist bagpipe retailers and makers. Whether you’re picking up your first practice chanter or refining your sound as a professional piper, we’re here to help every step of the way.

Our mission remains the same as it was on day one:
To provide quality instruments, honest advice, and a welcoming experience for every musician who walks through our doors or visits us online.