Brìghde Chaimbeul Redraws Musical Boundaries with Caroline Polachek and Dior Collaborations

Scottish smallpipe musician Brìghde Chaimbeul is significantly expanding the perceived scope of her traditional instrument through high-profile collaborations with indie artist Caroline Polachek and an appearance at a Dior runway show. This cross-genre engagement highlights her innovative approach to the Scottish smallpipes, traditionally a niche folk instrument. Her work is bringing the distinctive sound of the pipes to broader, more diverse audiences, challenging conventional notions of the instrument.

Chaimbeul's collaboration with Caroline Polachek gained significant attention with her solo on the track "Blood and Butter" from Polachek's acclaimed 2023 album, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You. Polachek discovered Chaimbeul's music on Spotify and reached out via Instagram, leading to the recording. The Scottish musician subsequently joined Polachek on stage at the Hammersmith Apollo, where her bagpipe solo was met with enthusiastic applause from the pop audience, as reported by Dazed Digital.

Beyond the music scene, Chaimbeul's presence at a Dior runway show further underscores her instrument's unexpected versatility and growing cultural relevance. This appearance places the Scottish smallpipes in the realm of high fashion, a stark contrast to their traditional settings. Such engagements are helping to dismantle stereotypes often associated with bagpipes, according to Chaimbeul.

The Scottish smallpipes, a bellows-blown instrument, offer a mellower and more nuanced sound compared to the better-known Highland bagpipes. Chaimbeul's playing style emphasizes rich textural drones and a trance-like constancy of sound, a unique approach that has garnered critical acclaim. Her work is deeply rooted in her Gaelic heritage and the instrument's history, while simultaneously pushing its boundaries into experimental and contemporary genres.

Chaimbeul, who released her third album "Sunwise" in June 2025, continues to explore diverse collaborations, including with saxophonist Colin Stetson. Her ability to seamlessly blend traditional Scottish music with avant-garde and pop elements positions her as a leading figure in contemporary folk music. Through these varied projects, she is not only showcasing the versatility of her instrument but also introducing traditional sounds to a global audience.