Taran Guitars builds unique, world-class instruments which are meticulously crafted using the finest materials for customers across the globe. Set up in 2007 by Rory Dowling, the company is founded on four key principles; pursue excellence in process and product; foster innovation in sonic and aesthetic design; responsibly source the highest-quality materials; collaborate.

Over the last 17 years, Taran Guitars has collaborated with some of the world’s finest musicians and players and alongside bespoke customer orders, they are also proudly represented by dealers across the globe.

THE TEAM

Rory Dowling started Taran Guitars in 2007 after falling in love with building stringed instruments. Prior to making instruments, he studied furniture design and craftsmanship which gave him the woodworking foundations for a life as a luthier.

Ever since being given a Swiss Army knife for his seventh birthday, Rory has always been fascinated with wood and its capabilities. Back then he would often spend hours whittling boats and making bows and arrows. Over time, the projects became bigger and the fascination grew.

The move from furniture to guitars was a fairly natural one, however the learning curve was nearly vertical. I am essentially self-taught in the art of instrument making beyond the wood working. I had no preconceived ideas about what the limits of a guitar were. Over the sixteen years of my career I have constantly asked questions, tested ideas and sought to understand the limits within these. Through this questioning and experimental approach I have gained a vast understanding of the elements that make up an instrument’s complex sound and its requirements over its long life. It is because of this and the combined understanding of the team that we are able to offer instruments that are unique to their owners taste and desires.

- Rory Dowling, 2023

In 2013 Rory moved to the East Neck of Fife where he began renovating and converting an old dairy on Balcaskie Estate. Since then, the team has grown to include Gemma, Zachie and Caelin and in 2022 we embarked upon a new chapter of Taran Guitars; expanding the workshop another 45m² to give us the space we needed to further develop the quality of our instruments and our creative aspirations as a team.

Head Luthier, Zachie Morris, started as an apprentice at Taran Guitars in Spring 2019. During his first year, he excelled in the processes involved in the training and clearly had astounding ability beyond his years. When he finished school in 2020, Zachie joined the team full-time where his meticulous eye for detail, incredible woodworking skills and ability to see processes from a different angle, is fundamental to every instrument that leaves Taran Guitars.

Caelin Harrington originally joined the team in November 2021 as temporary, part-time Guitar Technician and Workshop Assistant. We were delighted when he took up the permanent, full-time position of Guitar Technician and Media Coordinator in May 2022. With a degree in Music from The University of Edinburgh and a HNC in Stringed Instrument Making from Anniesland, Glasgow Clyde College, he leads on the final stages of the instrument builds and media content for the company. His fastidious work has already been commended by the likes of Dustin Furlow, who described Caelin’s set-ups as ‘absolute perfection’.

In between running her own theatre company, hidden route, and working part-time as a lecturer, Gemma Nicol works one day a week with Taran Guitars as their General Manager. She looks after the client liaison, finance and administrative duties for the company. Gemma loves getting to know the clients during their builds and has been key in supporting the company grow over the last few years.

the taran

“Taran is Gaelic for ‘Thunder’. Ever since my childhood I have spent many an hour roaming the hills of the Outer Hebrides on Scotland's West Coast. One of the hills of Harris which has always struck me with great awe and mystery is ‘Taran Mhor’. Tucked behind the steep climbs of ‘Sgianait’, its western face rises vertically from the waters of the mouth of Loch Reasort and then falls north slowly until it turns into the first flat plains of Lewis. I've seen the Taran in high summer days basking in light breeze and I've seen her in deep winter gloom, brooding over days gone by.

Every day she has a tale to sing.”

Rory Dowling, 2020