Having listened to bagpipers of varying skill levels, I've found that they tend to come in two groups: soul-stirringly beautiful and deafeningly bad.
I have heard bagpipers at tattoos and competitions that would send chills down your spine and make a grown man weep. In a good way. They are truly magical instruments.
On the other hand, I have heard beginner pipers that would also send chills down your spine and make a grown man weep. And run screaming from the room. And pray to be stricken deaf.
I have never heard a mediocre bagpiper. Maybe that's because I've only seen heard them at tattoos, competitions, and beginner classes.