Pipes Loan Scheme

The Celtic Piping Club has recently purchased a practice set of uilleann pipes which are made available for beginner pipers to hire. Additional sets of pipes will be purchased in the future, including uilleann pipes, Scottish smallpipes or others.

The set of pipes currently available for loan is a practice set of uilleann pipes and includes the bag, bellows and chanter only (no drones or regulators) and are supplied in a case for protection.

The cost of even a reasonable set of pipes, particularly uilleann pipes, can often be an issue for beginners who are interested in learning the pipes. The CPC Pipes Loan Scheme was set up to address this issue and is an easy way for people to start learning the pipes before committing to buy their own set and also cover the waiting period while a new set is commissioned or a used set located. Pipes are loaned for up to twelve months, after which time they are returned so another prospective piper may access them.

Pipe Loan Package
The items on loan include:

Pipes in playable condition
Pipe case
Tutor book

Pipe Loan Rules
The conditions to loan the pipes are simple:

Pipes are loaned for a maximum of twelve months.
The hirer must carefully look after the pipes and any other items loaned in the package, and must return all items in the same condition as loaned. The hirer must only adjust reeds with express permission from the Celtic Piping Club.
The hirer must become a financial member of the Celtic Piping Club Inc.
The hirer must seek regular lessons from an established piper. We can direct prospective beginners to suitable pipers. Lessons via Skype or other service may be available for those in remote locations or have no suitable pipers nearby.
A security deposit of $200 is payable prior to loaning the pipes. At the discretion of the Celtic Piping Club, this will be refundable upon return of the pipes unless significant or costly repairs are required to return the pipes to playable condition.
A non-refundable rental fee of $100 is payable prior to loaning the pipes.