Greig Sharp, 1939-2009
Greig Sharp, best known as the founder and owner of Kintail Bagpipes, died on December 5th after a lengthy bout with lung cancer. Sharp learned the pipe-making trade working with Peter Henderson, of which he was manager in its final years before the company’s sale to R.G. Hardie & Co. in 1971.
Sharp served with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), and had tuition from Pipe-Major George Stoddart and others.
He established Kintail Bagpipe Makers after the demise if Peter Henderson, and during the 1970s and ’80s was known for his assertive marketing of Kintail products. A famous Kintail advertising campaign used Dysart & Dundonald Pipe-Major Bob Shepherd as a pitch-man for Kintail products, claiming that “Testing Kintail pipes is like testing the finest Scotch whisky.”
Our sympathies go to Greig Sharp’s survivors and friends.
Sad news indeed, Kintails are a fine make of bagpipe from a master craftsman
A Great shame, and a sad loss…. A true legend and giant of the trade….
I had the chance to do business with Greig Sharp since 2003 and he always was a great person to talk to. I never met him in person, but to me his pasing is a great lost. I have talked to many people who knew Greig,- in and outside Scotland….. and they all describe him as a great, warm and loving person. I will miss his present……. my thoughts goes to his family and close ones…. Henrik Borderland Pipe Band
Being on a seminar tour in Asia, I was very sad to get the belated news of Greig’s passing. I have tried to keep in contact with Greig over the past few months. He was a true gentleman and showed great kindness and assistance to me as a young piper during my first stay in Scotland. He will be fondly remembered and my thoughts go to his family at this time. Brett Tidswell