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Andrew's Tips: Bagpipe Bag Measurements
By Andrew T. Lenz, Jr., Santa Cruz, California, ©2004-2008
This is a guide to the dimensions of different brands of bagpipe bags on the market. These measurements should help you compare and select a bag that is appropriate for you. Height below represents the meaurement taken, while the bag is laid flat, from the fold at the top of the bag down the widest part of the middle bag to the opposite side. Length is the full length of the bag from tail end to the tip of neck, though what this measurement really means may vary a bit if the bag is a swan neck. In the case of a swan neck, the bag should be considered equivalent to a somewhat longer bag.
Please keep in mind that there will be some variation in the manufacturing of bags. While they should be fairly uniform, most are stitched by hand feeding through a heavy-duty sewing machine which results in a bit of variation. Plus most materials will shrink and expand some depending on temperature and humidity. Just don't be surprised if a bag is off by the width of your finger.
Also be aware that there will be differences in the diameter of bags with grommets (stock collars) versus bags that are tied in. A bag requiring a tie-in will "lose" material from its effective diameter in order to hold the stock in place. For otherwise equal bags, a collared bag will have a larger effective diameter.
In the chart below there are references to "color codes" for the Ross bags. These color codes are located inside the collar for the blowpipe stock. For the Monarch bags, color codes refer to the color of the circle material surrounding each grommet: maroon is small, green is medium and blue is large.
Please note: Gortex/Canmore bagpipe bags have not been confirmed with the manufacturer, so take their numbers with a "grain of salt" as they may change. I submitted web contact form back on Jan.20,2005 and never heard back—I still need to try mailing a letter.
| Height |
Length |
Brand and Name/Description of Bag |
| 8.75 inch (22.2cm) |
23 inch (58.5cm) |
L&M - '1/2 Size Bag' - Cowhide |
| 8.75 inch (22.2cm) |
25.5 inch (65cm) |
L&M - '3/4 Size Bag' - Cowhide |
| 9 inch (22.8cm) |
24 inch (61cm) |
Bannatyne - 'Small' |
| 9 inch (22.8cm) |
28 inch (71.0cm) |
L&M - '9" Regular' - Cowhide |
| 9.5 inch (24.1cm) |
26.5 inch (67.5cm) |
Bannatyne - 'Extended Small' |
| 9.5 inch (24.1cm) |
n/a |
Canmore - 'Small' - Gortex |
| 9.5 inch (24.1cm) |
29 inch (73.5cm) |
L&M - 'Scotian Small (Hot Dog)' - Zipper - Cowhide |
| 9.5 inch (24.1cm) |
26.5 inch (67.5cm) |
MacHarg - 'Regular' - Cowhide |
| 9.5 inch (24.0cm) |
27.5 inch (70.0cm) |
Monarch - 'Small Blank' - Synthetic (Tie-in) |
| 9.75 inch (24.8cm) |
26 inch (66cm) |
Gannaway - 'Small' - Cowhide |
| 9.75 inch (25.0cm) |
28.3 inch (72.0cm) |
Ross - 'Small' - Sealed [Grey coded] |
| 9.75 inch (22.8cm) |
26.5 inch (67.5cm) |
Shepherd - 'Small' - Zipper - Hybrid |
| 10 inch (25.4cm) |
28 inch (71.0cm) |
Begg - 'Small' - Sheepskin or Cowhide |
| 10 inch (25.4cm) |
28.5 inch (72.5cm) |
Bowes - 'Small' - Sheepskin or Cowhide |
| 10 inch (25.4cm) |
28 inch (71.0cm) |
R.G. Hardie Airtight - 'Small' - Sheepskin |
| 10.25 inch (26.1cm) |
28 inch (71.0cm) |
L&M - 'Regular' - Cowhide |
| 10.25 inch (26.1cm) |
28 inch (71.0cm) |
L&M - 'Scotian Medium' - Zipper - Cowhide |
| 10.25 inch (26.0cm) |
28.0 inch (71.0cm) |
Ross - 'Livingstone'* [Green coded]
(*Drones placed 25mm forward of standard.) |
| 10.5 inch (26.7cm) |
26.5 inch (67.5cm) |
Bannatyne - 'Medium' |
| 10.5 inch (26.7cm) |
29 inch (73.5cm) |
Begg - 'Standard' - Sheepskin or Cowhide |
| 10.5 inch (26.7cm) |
29 inch (73.5cm) |
Bennett - 'Small' - Sheepskin |
| 10.5 inch (26.7cm) |
28.5 inch (72.5cm) |
Bowes - 'Medium' - Sheepskin or Cowhide |
| 10.5 inch (26.7cm) |
27 inch (69cm) |
Gannaway - 'Medium' |
| 10.5 inch (26.7cm) |
28 inch (71.0cm) |
MacHarg - 'Large' - Cowhide |
| 10.5 inch (26.5cm) |
27.5 inch (70.0cm) |
Monarch - 'Standard Small' - Synthetic - Zipper/Grommet [Maroon coded] |
| 10.5 inch (26.5cm) |
27.5 inch (70.0cm) |
Monarch - 'Swan Small' - Synthetic - Zipper/Grommet [Maroon coded] |
| 10.5 inch (27.0cm) |
29.3 inch (74.5cm) |
Moose - 'Small' - Synthetic - Zipper/Grommet |
| 10.5 inch (26.7cm) |
29 inch (73.5cm) |
R.G. Hardie Airtight - 'Medium' - Sheepskin |
| 10.5 inch (27.0cm) |
26.4 inch (67.0cm) |
Ross - 'Small' - Zipper [Blue coded] |
| 10.5 inch (27.0cm) |
28.3 inch (72.0cm) |
Ross - 'Small Extended' - Zipper [Grey coded] |
| 10.5 inch (25.4cm) |
27.5 inch (70.0cm) |
Shepherd - 'Medium' - Zipper - Hybrid |
| 10.75 inch (27.5cm |
28.5 inch (72.5cm) |
Monarch - 'Swan Medium' - Synthetic - Zipper/Grommet [Green coded] |
| 11 inch (27.9cm) |
29 inch (73.5cm) |
Bennett - 'Medium' - Sheepskin |
| 11 inch (27.9cm) |
30 inch (76cm) |
Bowes - 'Large' - Sheepskin or Cowhide |
| 11 inch (27.9cm) |
n/a |
Canmore - 'Medium' - Gortex |
| 11 inch (27.9cm) |
28.5 inch (72.5cm) |
L&M - 'Large' - Cowhide |
| 11 inch (27.9cm) |
28.5 inch (72.5cm) |
L&M - 'Scotian Large' - Zipper - Cowhide |
| 11 inch (28.0cm) |
27.5 inch (70.0cm) |
Monarch - 'Standard Medium' - Synthetic - Zipper/Grommet [Green coded] |
| 11 inch (28.0cm) |
28.7 inch (73.0cm) |
Ross - 'Small' - Clamp [Grey coded] |
| 11 inch (28.0cm) |
28.7 inch (73.0cm) |
Ross - 'Medium' - Zipper [Yellow coded] |
| 11.25 inch (28.6cm) |
29 inch (73.5cm) |
Begg - 'Medium' - Sheepskin or Cowhide |
| 11.5 inch (29.2cm) |
29 inch (73.5cm) |
Bannatyne - 'Large' |
| 11.5 inch (29.2cm) |
29 inch (73.5cm) |
Bennett - 'Large' - Sheepskin |
| 11.5 inch (29.2cm) |
28 inch (71.0cm) |
Gannaway - 'Large' |
| 11.5 inch (29.2cm) |
28.5 inch (72.5cm) |
MacHarg - 'Extra Large' - Cowhide |
| 11.5 inch (29.0cm) |
29.5 inch (75.0cm) |
Moose - 'Medium' - Synthetic - Zipper/Grommet |
| 11.5 inch (29.2cm) |
29 inch (73.5cm) |
R.G. Hardie Airtight - 'Large' - Sheepskin |
| 11.5 inch (29.0cm) |
28.7 inch (73.0cm) |
Ross - 'Medium' - Sealed [Yellow coded] |
| 11.5 inch (29.0cm) |
28.7 inch (73.0cm) |
Ross - 'Medium' - Clamp [Yellow coded] |
| 11.75 inch (30.0cm) |
29 inch (73.5cm) |
L&M - 'Scotian Extra Large' - Zipper - Cowhide |
| 11.75 inch (30.0cm) |
28.5 inch (72.5cm) |
Monarch - 'Standard Large' - Synthetic - Zipper/Grommet [Blue coded] |
| 11.75 inch (29.5cm) |
28.5 inch (72.5cm) |
Monarch - 'Swan Large' - Synthetic - Zipper/Grommet [Blue coded] |
| 11.75 inch (30.0cm) |
29.3 inch (74.5cm) |
Ross - 'Large' - Sealed [Red coded] |
| 11.75 inch (30.0cm) |
29.3 inch (74.5cm) |
Ross - 'Large' - Zipper [Red coded] |
| 11.75 inch (29.2cm) |
29.5 inch (75.0cm) |
Shepherd - 'Large' - Zipper - Hybrid |
| 12 inch (30.5cm) |
30 inch (76cm) |
Begg - 'Large' - Sheepskin or Cowhide |
| 12 inch (30.5cm) |
30 inch (76cm) |
Bennett - 'Large' - Sheepskin |
| 12 inch (30.5cm) |
30 inch (76cm) |
L&M - 'Extra Large' - Cowhide |
| 12 inch (30.5cm) |
29.7 inch (75.5cm) |
Moose - 'Large' - Synthetic - Zipper/Grommet |
| 12 inch (30.5cm) |
29.3 inch (74.5cm) |
Ross - 'Large' - Zipper [Red coded] |
| 12.5 inch (31.8cm) |
n/a |
Canmore - 'Large' - Gortex |
| 13.5 inch (34cm) |
28.5 inch (72.5cm) |
MacHarg - 'Extra Large' - Cowhide |
| 13.5 inch (34cm) |
29.5 inch (75.0cm) |
MacHarg - 'Extra Large Special' - Cowhide |
The following brands were provided in inches and coverted to the nearest 0.5 cm:
Bannatyne, Begg, Bennett, Bowes, Gannaway, L&M, MacHarg, R.G. Hardie, Shepherd.
The following brands were provided in metric units and converted the nearest quarter inch:
Ross, Monarch, Moose.
Selecting a bag size for you
Probably the most common mistake pipers make is getting a bag that is too large for them. Things that affect appropriate bag size are overall arm length, chest shape, and blowing technique. If you are having trouble comfortably reaching the chanter (assuming your stocks are correctly positioned on the bag), or have a lot of pressure from the bag on the inside of your forearm, then your bag is too large. Sometimes a short, large chested person can have a custom longer bag made to compensate for a smaller circumference. Over the years a number of bands have mandated small bags for their members regardless of their physical proportions—small bags mean less air, less air means more reliable cut-offs. But bag size will also slightly affect the tone of your pipes, which may or may not be an issue for you. Some pipers swear that they get noticeably better resonance and tone with a larger bag. (Though if your bag is full of hoses, valves, water trap systems, car keys or other objects, all bets are off regarding a bag's tonal qualities!) Others say they have to blow less often with a larger bag. The best way to determine the ideal bag size for you is to simply try different sized bags. Short of that, consult your instructor, your pipe major, or favorite retailer for advice.
Custom Bags
A number of bag makers will custom make a bag to your specifications. Providing a bag template—paper or otherwise—is a good idea and in some cases, is required. Expect to pay a higher price for all the extra handling involved by the maker. Also expect that turnaround time may be on the order of months rather than weeks. Most bag makers work through a retailer, that is, you contact a bagpipe supply shop and purchase your bag through them, who in turn places your order (usually along with a number of other bags at one time) with the bag maker.
Here are some makers known to make custom bags: Ross Bagpipe Reeds Pty. LTD., L&M Highland, Bennett Pipe Bags, Bowes Bags (9"-12" height), Monarch, Moose. Other makers may also be willing, just inquire with them.
Makers' Websites
Bannatyne (Scotland). No direct sales. (No website.)
Begg Bagpipes (Scotland).
Bennett Pipe Bags (Scotland). Formerly known as pipebags.co.uk.
Bowes Bags (Scotland).
D&M Gannaway, Ltd. (New Zealand).
L&M Highland Outfitters. (Nova Scotia). No direct sales.
Michael MacHarg (United States).
Monarch Bagpipe Bags (Australia).
Moose Bagpipe Products (Australia).
R.G. Hardie & Co (Scotland). No direct sales.
R.T. Shepherd & Son Ltd. (Scotland).
Ross Bagpipe Reeds Pty. Ltd. (Australia). No direct sales.
W L Gore & Associates (UK) Ltd. (Scotland). No direct sales.
After You Have Your Bag.
Once you have your bag, if it's not synthetic, you may want to visit my articles covering how to tie-in a bag and also how to season a bag.
If you have comments, suggestions, additions, etc., please contact me.
This page last updated Saturday, February 9, 2008.
Page first created in December 27, 2004.
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