About Castle Bagpipes

Pipe Bands

Greig was taught to play the bagpipes at the nearby Lochgelly High School Pipe Band under Pipe Major Tom Brown, achieving major championship success in the Novice Juvenile and Juvenile grades. Greig enjoyed spells with Dysart and Dundonald, Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia and Manawatu Scottish Pipe Bands. In 2011 he returned to the Dysart band as Pipe Major, spending 3 seasons in grade 1.

In 2014 Greig joined Inveraray and District Pipe Band, winning the grade 1 European Championships in his first season with the band. The story continues from there with the band going on to win 11 major championships so far, including twice being crowned World Pipe Band Champions.

Solo Piping and Teaching

Greig is a regular prize winner around the games circuit in Scotland, and has received solo tuition from the late Walter Drysdale, Colin MacLellan and most recently from Tom Speirs.

Currently employed as a bagpipe instructor for Fife Council, Greig also teaches many private pupils. Current students include members of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, adult learners of all ages and junior prize-winners around the highland games circuit. He has attained the level 6 (SCQF level 8) Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board certificate and has also twice been a featured guest artist on BBC Radio Scotland’s piping programme “Pipeline“.

Reed Making

Like many pipers, Greig began his reed making journey by spending many years of his piping career learning to work and manipulate reeds from all of the leading makers. From 2002-2006, Greig spent time working for RT Shepherd and Son, where he enjoyed hands on experience over several years learning about the various production processes that are required for reed-making on a commercial scale.

From there, ideas started to form and many years later and with persistence and dedication, Greig has developed a product that adheres to 3 key principles:

1. Always use a copper staple, for a clear and sweet top hand
2. Always use the sharpest blades and cutting tools available
3. Always go with the grain when making cuts to the reed profile

Using these key ideas, Greig has gone on to develop a copper stapled, chisel cut reed that produces vibration, stability and tonal character.