Lindsay System Scottish smallpipes

Lindsay System Scottish Smallpipes are built around Donald WG Lindsay's fully tuneable, keyless extended-range chanter and a drone system designed to support its musical range.

The current published chanter range is D3–F♯5, without keys. Access to that range develops with experience.
Familiar Scottish smallpipe fingering across the traditional nine-note range.
Fully adjustable chanter intonation and a stable, even response.
Made in Scotland and individually set up before dispatch.

The Standard Set

The complete Lindsay System set combines the extended-range chanter with the full four-drone system:

The complete Lindsay System

Standard Set

£2,440 in rich brown or warm tan without a case; £2,490 with the lightweight aluminium flight case. All black is £2,410 without a case or £2,460 with one.

Chanter, bag, bellows and the full four-drone system: Bass A/B, Baritone D/E, Tenor A/B and Alto D/E.

Includes extended drone-tuning facilities, drone shutoff and flow control, and the complete matching chanter split-stock assembly. There is no separate £50 stock charge for a complete set.

Already have a chanter or bellows?

If you already own a Lindsay System Chanter, choose a configuration marked “no chanter”. If you have suitable bellows you would like to use, choose “no bellows”. Options without either component are also available.

If you are unsure whether your bellows are suitable, please enquire before ordering.

How to order

Choose your configuration and payment option above. Choose the complete Standard Set, or select the appropriate deduction if you already own a Lindsay System Chanter, suitable bellows, or both.

If you prefer not to pay in full when ordering, you may place a 50% deposit. The remaining 50%, shipping and any agreed extras are payable before dispatch.

Made to order. Please enquire for current delivery timing.

Hear the pipes

Jigs — Donald WG Lindsay & Roo Geddes

A Port — Donald WG Lindsay & Roo Geddes

The four-drone system

The Standard Set's four drones are arranged along the lines of an A/D combination set:

Bass A/B
Baritone D/E
Tenor A/B
Alto D/E

The Alto D/E drone gives stronger support for second-register playing and for music in D and G. Secondary telescopic slides and longer principal slides extend the available alternative tunings.

Materials, reeds and construction

A matched cane chanter reed and four fitted Eezedrone synthetic drone reeds by Pipe Dreams are included in the Standard Set.
Canmore hybrid bag, available in large, medium or small.
Fully brass-lined drone tuning chambers for a clear, stable and resonant tone.
O-rings in dovetail grooves for airtightness, screw-threaded drone-stock tenons and traditionally hemped tuning slides.
Screw-threaded clamps at the main stock and blowpipe stock; replacement Canmore bags supplied through Lindstruments can be prepared to fit.
Four decorative double-seal drone stop caps with hand-twisted cords on the Standard Set.

Bellows, bag cover and finish

Complete sets are supplied with suitable bellows, selected and set up for the instrument.

The standard bag cover is teal velvet, made to measure by Debbie Covers and Crafts in Glasgow, with patterned gold-coloured trim and matching drone cords. Alternative colours and materials are available by enquiry.

Fingering charts

The familiar nine-note Scottish smallpipe range uses standard fingering. The additional notes are introduced one at a time.

Lindsay System Chanter fingering chart 1

Lindsay System Chanter fingering chart 2

Lindsay System Chanter fingering chart 3

Background and recordings

Donald developed the Lindsay System Chanter in Scotland between 2006 and 2018. The work was documented in Piping Today, featured on Scottish television and is represented by prototype sets in The National Piping Centre's museum collection.

The Lindsay System has also been heard on recordings and in film, including The Outrun and My Old School.

Hear the pipes on Honeymoon Bridge by Donald WG Lindsay & Roo Geddes and History of Sleep by Donald WG Lindsay & Richard Youngs.

Shipping

Delivery, packing and handling are charged at checkout. Choose tracked delivery without additional shipment insurance or the protected option shown for your destination. USA delivery uses DHL. Please contact us before ordering if no delivery rate appears, or for multiple sets or special packing. Import taxes, duties and local charges are additional where applicable.

Questions and player support

If you have any questions before or after purchase, email lindstruments@gmail.com. We’re always happy to help with setup, playing and getting the most from your pipes.

More tunes on the Lindsay System Scottish Smallpipes

Flowers of Edinburgh

East Neuk o Fife

Dumbarton Drums

Guides & support

Chanter stocks and fitting

Finished instruments

3D printable files

Learning, music and support