Iain Gelston is an award winning player of the Border Pipes and Northumbrian Smallpipes. Based in South Shields, just across the river from the home of the famous Reids, 18th/19th century inventors of the modern Smallpipes, he is steeped in the piping tradition of the North East of England and the Border.

Iain began playing the Smallpipes in his early twenties, with the help of master piper Adrian Schofield, but only took up the Border Pipes a decade ago. He is now championing a revival of interest in the big pipes and their repertoire in Northumberland via his work with the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society.

Iain plays Border Pipes by Dominic Allan (G) and Nigel Richard (A), and Smallpipes by David Burleigh/Colin Ross in traditional F+ pitch.