Ian lives with his wife, Catriona, on a traditional style narrow beam canal boat in the heart of England. His workshop on the 70-foot boat is inspired by the lifestyle of the working boats of Britain's industrial heritage. With over 2000 miles of rural waterways to meander through, Ian has combined all the essentials of home and work into a practical, mobile reality.

Ian Walker sources his briar from Italy, where many pipe makers agree the best stock can be found. Every pipe is totally handcrafted by Ian himself and all pipes have hand cut stems using the best grade German vulcanite. The rustication of Ian's Rox Cut pipes is a time consuming process done entirely by hand. This unique finish has proved to be extremely popular. Ian's skill in silver mounting also enhances many traditional styles of pipes.

Northern Briars, by tradition, has a strong commitment to quality. The quality of the materials and craftsmanship have been developed from many years experience.