McMillan Water Trap

Moisture is one of the big problems with mouth-blown bagpipes. Too much moisture leads to unsteady reeds and reduced life of the bag.The ingenious device combines the usually separate functions of return valve and water trap for the bagpipe. It is easily fitted into the blowpipe stock. Its main advantages over existing water traps are:

1. It has an efficient return valve built in.
2. It does not restrict blowing, which is sometimes a problem with some valves and/or traps.
3. The design ensures that the maximum amount of moisture is trapped efficiently.
4. It obviates the need to remove the blowstick for the purpose of emptying the moisture trapped.

I have been using the McMillan Trap for approximately six months, and I am very pleased with its performance. I can thoroughly recommend it.

Hugh A. MacCallum.
August 1999

Note:

Mr Macallum is a world renowned Highland Bagpipe player, teacher and composer. Some of his awards are as noted below:

Gold Medal, Northern Meeting, Inverness
Gold Medal, Argyllshire Gathering,
Oban Gold Clasp, Northern Meeting (Four Times)
Senior Piobaireachd, Argyllshire Gathering (Six Times)
Portree Clasp (Six Times)
Silver Chanter (Six Times)
Former Winners March Strathspey & Reel, Northern Meeting
Former Winners March Strathspey & Reel, Argyllshire Gathering
Grants Glenfiddich Champion