The idea of the practice chanter is a highland pipe thing. So that you can learn the fingering then progress to a thing called a Goose (which is the bag, practice chanter and blow stick) then on to the pipes increasing the number of drones you use as you master the blowing, squeezing and fingering techniques. As far as I am aware the introduction of practice chanters for Uillean pipes is a new thing. Apart from the electronic pencil chanter I am not aware of any thing specific for either smallpipes or border pipes.

I am sure there are a number of pipers around your area Alexis, I will dig out my LBPS membership list and look them up for you.