Craftsman thought to be last wooden flute maker in Scotland

MUSIC: Instrument expert has made more than 1,000 flutes over 42 years

George Ormiston has been making flutes and piccolos for 42 years and is one of less than 10 remaining manufacturers in the UK who make the instruments from wood.

George, 68, who played the flute as a teenager, has two workshops – one in Bo’ness, Falkirk, and another in Stirling – where he meticulously crafts his instruments by hand.

The trade has been classified as endangered by the Heritage Crafts Association.

George studied engineering at college in Edinburgh and Coventry, and began making woodwinds after he realised there was a demand for new flutes.

He discovered most flutes in the late 1970s had been made in the 19th Century and were in disrepair.

After graduating from college aged 22, he moved to Ireland and then Bavaria, Germany, where he learned the ropes of woodwind-making working at a recorder manufacturer’s.

“I hope it continues because there’s an immense tradition of flute-making in Scotland. GEORGE ORMISTON

George, a dad-of-two, said: “I played the flute, and at 16 I started working and going to college studying engineering, and put the two together.

“There was a lack of good quality wooden flutes. Most were made in the 19th Century so there was a bit of an opening for remaking.”

Following the technical specifications of pioneering Edinburgh flute maker John Mitchell Rose, George began crafting his own instruments in 1978.

Over the last 42 years, he has made more than 1,000 flutes.

Unlike other instruments, such as guitars which are made by hand, George uses machinery to make his flutes.

He uses air-dried African Blackwood and sterling silver for the keys.

From Belgium and Spain’s Basque Country to Manchester and Missouri, George has sent his handcrafted instruments all over the world, selling some for more than £4,000.

He has even made flutes for rock band Jethro Tull’s guitarist Ian Anderson and jazz saxophonist Tommy Smith.

George said: “I think I’m the only flute maker left in Scotland.”

George hopes someone will take over the business from him when he eventually decides to hang up his tools.

He said: “I hope it continues because there’s an immense tradition of flutemaking in Scotland.

“Who knows what the future holds.”

Picture: SWNS. George, 68, who played the flute as a boy, has workshops in Bo’ness and Stirling.