Robert Gillanders worked for James Center, Edinburgh as a bagpipe maker in 1891. He was 26 years old at that time. In 1908 Center and his family immigrated to Australia. Gillanders moved to Aberfeldy where he worked for Gavin MacDougall. A few years later, Gillanders and his family moved to Dundee where Robert and his two sons, Robert Jr and James Center Gillanders, worked for Thow Brothers Bagpipe Makers.
In 1926 Robert “old Bert” established his own bagpipe and reed making business . The firm became Robert Gillanders & Son in 1959 at Forfar. Robert Jr., known as “young Bob” was also a registered silversmith. In 1972 Iain McLeod, Pipe Major of the World Champion Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band bought into the business and it became Gillanders and McLeod. The pictures of “young Bob” are ca 1972. Robert Sr. died in 1977 and Robert Jr. died in 1997.
Most of the images of Gillanders bagpipes that I receive are from the 1950s and later. The images immediately below are of an earlier set based on two important clues. The catalin is very dark. This speaks to the content of early catalin and extended oxidation. The ferrules, are also heavy gauge, much thicker than ferrules from the 1950s and later. See the R G Hardie ferrule (thinner) next to the Gillanders ferrule in the picture below & right. My feeling is that this bagpipe was made by “Old Bob” and could date from the 1930s or 1940s. The tuning pin on the bass drone bottom section is stamped “Gillanders – Dundee”
Immediately above we have a full ivory Gillanders bagpipe and immediately below we have the same bagpipe in catalin. The profiles and details changed very little (if at all) over the years. Gillanders bagpipes are easily recognized as having very deep bells and a bead in the wood between the cord-holders and bell on the bass drone. This is also found on most Thow bagpipes. Thow bagpipes also are likely to have scribe lines cut into the cord-holders. These small details help in identifying various makers.
Two silver and ivory Gillanders bagpipes. Bert Jr. was also a silversmith and from the look of the engraving below, he was quite good. Hallmarked 1960 above and 1969 below.
