Robert Hardie worked for Jack Dunbar at Piob Mhor Bagpipes before starting his own pipemaking business in 1950. In 1972 R. G. Hardie acquired Peter Henderson bagpipes (established in 1868). The company is therefore one of the oldest and best-known companies in the pipemaking business, and is the holder of the Royal Warrant to Her Majesty the Queen for bagpipe making.