In order to be fair to everyone, I made a decision that I would not include current-day GHB makers in the museum. Maybe someday I’ll change my mind however that information can be found elsewhere through retailers and the sites of individual makers. That said, I have been aware of Pierre Blanchet through my association with Andreas Hartmann-Virnich. Andreas’ primary area of interest is in those bagpipes from the early 19th century and earlier. When he acquires such a set, it is sent to Pierre Blanchet for restoration. You can only imagine the challenges in working with these very old instruments, sometimes highly compromised. Often, he is working with uncommon woods and materials. Bores may no longer be straight nor concentric. He is sometimes working with centuries-old repairs. I wanted to bring attention to Pierre and his outstanding work. Andreas provided me with the following:
“Pierre Blanchet started his career as a professional turner at the age of fourteen. Himself a piper he started pipemaking in 1977, specializing in exact replicas of classic bagpipes. The original dimensions, bores and inside of the tops are not modified unless requested, though reconstructed if shrunk, warped or re-bored. In over forty years Pierre Blanchet has produced an impressive range of replicas covering roughly two centuries of pipemaking from 1780 to the early 20th century. He has also restored and completed a substantial number of early and classic Highland sets using authentic materials as close as possible to the original’s. His contribution to the revival of the sound and shape of early Highland bagpipes is unequaled.
Reproduction sets made by Pierre Blanchet include (1780-1930): “Montrose” chalice-topped reproduction, Muir Wood reproduction, Donald MacDonald 1806 bagpipe NMS collection, Donald MacDonald reproduction, Duncan MacDougall (Edinburgh) reproduction. Pierre has meticulously reproduced many other classic bagpipes including those by John MacDougall, Thomas Glen, Alexander Glen, George Glen, David Glen, J&R Glen, Donald MacPhee, James Hutcheon, John Thow, John Center, Peter Henderson, and RG Lawrie.
We are sad to report that Pierre died on November 1, 2021.
