I was chatting with a friend recently about online shops for bagpipes, especially in Germany. She mentioned Björn Frauendienst’s website, which I knew about but had never bought anything from. I’d been scrolling through various retailers’ websites for a while, looking at pipes. In the past, I had repeatedly put instruments aside, said goodbye to them, sold them. No time, too much effort, other things to do. But they kept turning up.
My eye is caught by something in the shop in question: the ‘Classic 3 Boxwood Edition’ from Wallace Bagpipes in Glasgow. No plastic, no metal, just wood in a warm contrast. Apparently a less popular style, as it is not often offered. I sent an enquiry about it. Less than ten minutes later, the reply arrived. It didn’t take long to make a decision: I wanted it!
Björn Frauendienst’s websites show someone who is not only a dealer, advisor, teacher and musician, but also committed to charitable causes. We make an appointment, because I would like to pick up my instrument in person. And maybe there will be a story for this page. Unfortunately, our plans are thwarted. Due to other commitments, we have to cancel the meeting at short notice, the pipe is sent by post and we see each other on screen.
From a soft toy to online retail
My conversation partner has been fascinated by the British Isles since childhood. Back then, he spent many holidays there with his family. In early 2019, this fondness led to an online initiative: Frauendienst registered a domain to set up a travel information portal for Scotland. The idea behind it was to pursue interests, share experiences and tell stories. The first articles were written.
In the summer of the same year, he took part in a solo competition organised by CLASP (Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers) at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow. On his way back via Edinburgh, he was looking for a gift and discovered a stuffed sheep in a tourist shop. ‘Sheep were very popular with my son at the time. It was important to find something with embroidered eyes and no small parts that could be swallowed by children,’ he recalls. In addition to caring thoughts, this item also awakens an entrepreneurial interest. Back home, the family man began to do some research – where does it come from, how much does it cost to buy, etc. – and soon thought to himself: ‘I can do that too!’ And so the idea of entering the online retail business was born.
Around the same time, he began teaching Highland Bagpipes, and so the next step almost took care of itself: his students needed instruments, so why not sell them in his own shop? He already had a connection to Wallace Bagpipes from his previous band activities. Building on this, he began working with managing director Craig Munro – also known from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers – and the two soon developed a friendly relationship. ‘The instrument business quickly became challenging, mainly because of the amount of accessories,’ recalls Frauendienst. He delved deeper into the topic of online retail, and the focus of his fledgling shop shifted towards music and clothing. But he couldn’t let go of souvenirs either.
‘I’m just up for it, otherwise I wouldn’t do it!’
None of this was planned. A combination of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic has made the early stages difficult. And yet, the business is gradually developing, without a business plan or other concept papers. Frauendienst tends to focus on what he and his students currently need for their instruments – or what he himself would like to have as decoration at home. However, it is not just an aimless hobby. For the 42-year-old from Witten in North Rhine-Westphalia, his business is both a commercial and a passion. He is driven by a general interest in the British world and a fondness for the entire musical and cultural cosmos, which is permeated by tartans, bagpipes and rugged landscapes.
However, perhaps the most important reason for all these activities is another. It is the same reason why people join sports clubs, become scouts or arrange to go climbing. ‘I do it for the people,’ Frauendienst sums it up succinctly. What motivates him and ultimately brings him joy are the encounters and exchanges within a shared sphere of interests.
The scene has riped
Since 2023, he has also been presenting his range at Highland Games, music competitions and similar events. There he meets familiar faces and companions; people know each other or get to know each other. The categories are fluid in this environment. Business partners are also friends who are visited on family holidays, a customer becomes a student becomes an employee – just a few examples of unpredictable constellations in a business-private context.
‘What I particularly appreciate about this scene is its family atmosphere’, emphasises Frauendienst. He has known this small world of pipe bands and competitions for over 20 years now, and his impression is that it has riped during this time. The musical standard in Germany has risen and the scene as a whole has become more professional. Many players have developed remarkably. In the past, he was occasionally bothered by gossip and derogatory remarks about other musicians, bands or dealers. Today, he perceives the opposite to be true. Of course, there is competition, but everything takes place in a respectful, friendly atmosphere in which successes are mutually recognised.
Not a nine-to-five guy
Björn Frauendienst is one of those people who only remember boredom from distant memories. His working life is divided between four jobs and his family. In addition to running his shop, he teaches more than 30 students, plays almost 100 solo performances a year and coordinates support programmes for an inclusive university at the Ruhr University in Bochum – he studied geography. A classic nine-to-five career in a company is not for him: ‘I just need variety. And I enjoy all of my different jobs!’
He doesn’t have any detailed plans for his future career. He believes that overly detailed plans would be thwarted by life anyway. However, he doesn’t want to rely blindly on the course of events either. So he takes a middle path, setting priorities and making decisions, but with the awareness and acceptance that everything could turn out completely differently.
Mental health commitment
He used to be active in bands, such as the Rhine Power Pipe Band from Cologne. In conversation, he fondly recalls this time, which brought him many interesting encounters and experiences. But after a few years, it was over, and he cannot imagine returning to such a format at present. No time, too much effort, other things to do. Running, for example.
A few years ago, the entrepreneur and geographer decided to increase his sporting activities. Shortly afterwards, he received news of the death of a business partner by suicide. A supplier drew his attention to the Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) organisation, which is active in helping people with depression, among other things. Frauendienst combines his own health project with serving a good cause and, with the help of the piping scene, begins to collect donations for SAMH at his performances and by participating in sporting events. In 2025, he takes part in a half marathon in Edinburgh, and several running events are also planned for 2026.
Pic Greg Macvean
Of clowns, dentists, and aristocratic residences
Whether in regular contact with students or at sales stands at events, confrontation with misfortune and biographical downsides is not uncommon for the dealer and musician. And yet, for him, the positive far outweighs the negative in the countless stories that have arisen over the years and continue to arise. Once, he receives a message from Circus Roncalli. A clown with a broken bagpipe asks for help. Frauendienst drives there, repairs the instrument and is spontaneously asked if he would like to take part in a performance. He doesn’t want to miss out on the action in the ring. Added to this are ‘countless crazy stories from holidays in Scotland’ that he will never forget.
For example, an adventurous root canal treatment on Islay or a wedding ring lost by his wife at Scone Palace. Even after hours of searching, the ring remains missing. Back home, he contacts various travel groups via social media and asks for help. Then he joins a Scottish metal detector group. There, too, he finds people willing to help. It takes three weeks to obtain permission to search the palace grounds. Then things move quickly. After a few minutes, a detector gives a signal. Jim Butcher from Perth, who usually spends a lot of time at sea conducting seabed surveys, finds the ring, which has been trampled into the ground. The Frauendienst couple play it safe and fly there to collect the find in person. It’s a story against all odds, which is also reported in the local press.
‘You have to go out, then the stories actually write themselves’, Frauendienst sums up as our video session slowly comes to an end. A few days later, on a grey Wednesday in February, I go outside. There’s a parcel there, sent from Witten. The instruments keep turning up.
