Scotland’s Last Flute-Maker: George Ormiston, Bo’ness, Scotland
Coming from a family of musicians and singers, I was attracted to the sound of the wooden flute and began to play when I was sixteen. That was about the same time as taking up an apprenticeship in engineering. Both became real passions, and the combination led me to make my first flute at about the age of 27.
Most flutes at that time were from the 19th century and beyond repair so I was aware of the demand for new simple-system wooden flutes. On completing my engineering studies, I spent some time with a company in Germany which made recorders. I developed skills in making woodwind instruments and became acquainted with different types of wood.