Twenty years ago Donald WG Lindsay began developing a keyless chanter capable of extending the traditional nine-note range of the Scottish smallpipes to two octaves and more. Ten years ago the first working Lindsay System chanters appeared. He and Orkney-based maker Joel Chaney are now exploring what happens when the design is made from recycled fishing-net material.

Part handling exhibition, part illustrated conversation and part informal performance, this two-hour session follows the journey from waste material to playable instrument. You will be able to examine chanters, prototypes, printed components, partly worked blanks, and the raw material itself.

Donald and Joel will talk through the design and making process, demonstrate the instruments, share music and performance, and leave plenty of room for questions, handling and conversation. They emphasise that no piping, printing or instrument-making experience is needed.

Donald WG Lindsay is a Scottish singer, piper, songwriter and instrument designer who lives in South Ronaldsay. His work brings traditional music into conversation with original song, instrument-making and open-source design. His 2025 solo debut album, Two Boats Under the Moon, received five stars in BBC Music Magazine.

Joel Chaney is an Orkney-based artist and maker with a background in in physics and engineering. He works in sustainable development, linking digital fabrication with education and the creative use of waste. Through Tern360 he develops projects connecting circular-economy thinking with design and cultural making.

For ages 16 and over. Numbers limited to 20 maximum. Booking essential. Ticket £10