The Highlanders Visit MacLellan Bagpipes and Search for Gold
Press Release for February 14, 2012
On a very chilly morning on Saturday February 11, 2012, a group of four Highlanders, Cadets Rafi Tudela, Ryan Phillips, Steven Chain and Colton Beavers, (plus Cadet Joseph Su), loaded into a bus for an exciting trip to MacLellan Bagpipes located near Charlotte in the town of Monroe, North Carolina.
Master Chief Gordon Farrell USN (Ret), also a piper, and Highlander Instructor Mr. Tim Carpenter accompanied the group on this very informative trip. Carpenter, who owns a nice set of MacLellan Pipes and who is a friend of the Pipe Maker Roddy MacLellan, arranged for our guys to get a first-hand look at the entire process of how the Great Highland Bagpipe is made.
MacLellan, who was born and raised in Glasgow Scotland, told how he became the maker of some of the World's most unique and coveted bagpipes. MacLellan's training was from the Scottish School of Arts with a Silver Smith degree. He worked in Scotland doing Silver design and engraving for the Hardy Bagpipe Company for some years and as such learned a lot about the process of making the pipes as well. At an early age MacLellan emigrated to the US and worked as a silver smith for a well know jewelry firm in New York. Soon after, he started taking pipe lessons from a teacher in New York. He had a practice chanter, but not a set of pipes, and at the time couldn't afford them. He decided to make his own pipes based on his experience and work in Glasgow. That was the slow beginning to his rise as the world’s foremost bagpipe maker. He now exports pipes back to Scotland and all over the world.
MacLellan explained and demonstrated the techniques needed to make a high quality set of pipes, but told the Cadets how he has designed many of the specialized machines and tools that he uses in the process. He explained the entire process of obtaining the very special woods and materials and how those materials must be carefully selected and aged. One of the unique points of interest was the story of how an American Missionary helped him broker a deal to buy African Blackwood straight from the Tanzanian Tribe that owns the trees, thereby benefiting their own people directly.
Our group learned how modern CNC machines, technology, engineering, art and specialized skills are combined to produce some of the most beautiful and best sounding Great Highland Bagpipes, chanters and small-pipes. MacLellan told most of his secrets, showed how special materials such as moose antlers, ivory, bronze, silver, aluminum and even very old elephant ivory tusk are used as parts of custom made bagpipes.
His quality sound and design is based on a set of 1880's vintage bagpipes which belonged to his Grandfather who had been a member of the Royal Scots Guard. He related that it was almost accidental, in that his uncle, who was the oldest son, inherited the pipes from his grandfather and died. The tradition in Scotland, was that the oldest son got the inheritance, which meant all assets. MacLellan's uncle died, and the old pipes were passed on to his father, who was not a piper, and subsequently MacLellan ended up with a very old set of (highly valued) Henderson Pipes, which still to this day have the very best harmonics and sound of any pipes. The MacLellan Bagpipe design and bore measurements are based on grandpa's vintage 1880's Hendersons. That was the secret to his success. Our guys were allowed to see and handle that special instrument, something that few other people and few other pipers will ever be able to do.
At the end of our special tour, Rafi Tudela presented Roderick MacLellan with two gifts of appreciation, a Hargrave Highlander Hat and a Hargrave Commemorative Plate. We were all blessed with the knowledge, history, and hospitality that we received from this superstar of Bagpipe makers, Roddy MacLellan.
Next stop was the Reed Gold Mine, just up the road, near Midland, North Carolina. This was the historic site of the first documented gold discovered and first gold mine in the U.S. After a 22 minute video introduction explaining its history at the Visitor's Center, we did the self-guided tour of the underground mine. The first 17-lb nugget was found in 1799 by 12 year old, Conrad Reed. In 1803, a slave named Peter, found a 28 lb. nugget, which remains the largest found east of the Mississippi River.
While our group didn't find any gold, we received a wealth of historic information. It was too cold to pan for gold in Little Meadow Creek, so we were off to the Hibachi Grill in Kannapolis to warm up and enjoy a delicious buffet before returning home.
We would have enjoyed having all the Highlanders on this trip, but most of the members were with the wrestling team on Saturday. We hope they had as much success, as we had fun. As you can see, "Highlanders" is more than just about playing Pipes and Drums and wearing a kilt.
"Highlanders" is an awesome experience, that is global, culturally enriching and just plain fun. It's easy to find out if the Highlander experience might be for you. Visit the Highlander room and talk to Mr. Carpenter. No obligation. No pressure. Looking forward to seeing you. A special thanks to Master Chief Farrell for his help, support and interest. Our guys, once again, where great ambassadors for Hargrave.
Tim Carpenter
Highlander Instructor
