The Complete Bagpiper Booking Guide for 2024: Tips, Costs and FAQs
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- Updated: 14th February 2024
From traditional Scottish weddings to sporting events and festivals, the Bagpipes have long remained a focus point at events around the world.
With their unique and majestic sound, they promise to evoke a sense of cultural heritage and historical significance at any event.
A live bagpiper is the perfect way to mark important milestones such as marriage, birth, and death. If you're looking to hire a bagpiper for your event, we're here to ensure you have all the knowledge you need to start your search.
What type of events do Bagpipers play?
Bagpipes can add a unique and memorable touch to various events, ranging from royal weddings like Prince William and Kate Middleton's in 2011 to military ceremonies, such as funerals and memorials. The bagpipes are also a regular feature at sporting events, particularly Scottish rugby and football matches, and accompany political and civic occasions, such as presidential inaugurations.
Looking to add some traditional Scottish charm to your occasion? Below are some of the most popular events our Bagpipers for hire cover:
Weddings
If you're planning a wedding, consider having a piper play as you enter and leave the church or even during the ceremony itself. Bagpipers can also create a welcoming atmosphere as guests arrive at the reception, with a 20-30 minute performance typically being the ideal length.
Funerals
At funerals, bagpipers often lead the hearse and play as mourners arrive, providing a poignant and respectful tribute. They may even perform mid-service as guests place flowers and when the casket is lowered, adding a layer of solemn dignity to the proceedings.
Burns Night Celebrations
A traditional Scottish bagpiper is an essential feature of every Burns Night celebration - an annual tribute to the Scottish poet Robert Burns on 25th January. Pipers play an integral role in the festivities, piping guests (and haggis!) in and out of the dinner and adding to the ceremonial reverence of the evening.
Birthdays and Sporting Celebrations
General celebrations like birthdays and sporting events lend themselves perfectly to bagpipes. Whether welcoming golfers to the golf house, marking the start of an important race or adding a celebratory note to a birthday party, the bagpipes are sure to make an impact.
Did you know...
The late Queen Elizabeth II's fondness for bagpipes was evident, as she deeply appreciated Scottish culture. She enjoyed being awakened by the Royal Piper at Balmoral Castle, performing at her coronation, and supporting the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
What will the Bagpiper wear?
There are two traditional uniforms that a bagpiper usually wears.
No.1: Conventional highland dress for weddings, funerals and formal ceremonies.
No.2: Suitable for any occasion and includes a kilt with a jacket, tie, socks, Gillie brogues, and a Glengarry.
Some pipers will also provide the option of different tartans for the No.2 uniform style on their profiles for you to choose from. The No.1 style is expensive, and most pipers will only have one plaid.
Some pipers are also happy to hire a specific tartan on request, but be aware the cost would be at the client's expense.
When will the Bagpiper arrive?
Most pipers arrive 30-60 minutes before their performance, which might seem quite early considering they don't have much equipment to set up, but there's good reason for this. Tuning their pipes before a performance is crucial to ensure they're adequately warmed up; even the weather can affect their tuning.
With the above in mind, we recommend providing a space where they can do this without disturbing guests or ruining the surprise. But don't worry, they can always tune-up in a nearby park if there's nowhere suitable aty the venue!
How much space does a Bagpiper need?
If you've yet to experience the bagpipes in person, this next bit of advice is essential - the bagpipes are loud! In fact, they only have one volume level, so plan to have some space for your bagpiper to give guests the best experience possible.
Several yards of space between the piper and your guests can be the difference between enjoyment and discomfort. If you need more clarification, please feel free to send photos or videos of the space you're working with to a member of our team.
How much does it cost to hire a Bagpiper?
On average, a bagpiper will cost between £200-300+ for an hour's performance locally. You'll then look at roughly £300-400+ for a 2-hour booking and £400-500+ for a 3-hour booking.
A one-hour booking will typically cover the guest arrival, ceremony and exit, assuming the ceremony lasts 30-45 minutes.
How far in advance should I book a Bagpiper?
We recommend booking any act as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. However, as a rule of thumb, booking 12 months before your event date should be sufficient to secure your favourite performer.
It's also worth considering whether your date is peak or off-peak. For example, your date might be 16 months in advance, but if it's a peak Saturday during summer (wedding season), it's worth remembering these dates get booked up quickly for musicians.
Will I need to provide a meal for the Bagpiper?
Bagpipers typically perform during ceremonies and receptions in the daytime, and while a meal isn't usually required, offering snacks or light refreshments is always appreciated.
For evening performances from around 5-6pm, bagpipers may request a 'supplier's meal,' which doesn't need to match the guests' dining options. Caterers often understand this requirement and can offer suitable choices, or a bar meal can suffice.
If a bagpiper is onsite for extended periods, say 3 hours or more, they might ask for a meal, regardless of the time. Additionally, it's important to provide refreshments like tea, coffee, or water, regardless of the performance duration.
Scottish Bagpipers vs Irish Bagpipers
The Irish bagpipes are called Uilleann Pipes and are considered more versatile than traditional highland pipes. They have a more comprehensive range of notes, can play chords, and have a sweeter tone. They're commonly used in traditional Irish folk bands and are a regular feature at Irish weddings and ceremonies.
Can a Bagpiper perform outside?
Absolutely! Bagpipers are versatile and can perform both indoors and outdoors.
However, it's important to consider that adverse weather conditions, which might be uncomfortable for guests, are also unsuitable for musicians. Poor weather conditions can also affect the tuning of the pipes, so we highly recommend checking that your venue has an indoor contingency plan, just in case the heavens open!
What equipment does a Bagpiper require?
One benefit of hiring a bagpiper is their simple setup. They come fully equipped with everything they need, meaning there's no additional equipment for you to arrange.
Can you hire more than one piper?
Absolutely, in fact, you can also hire drummers to accompany several pipers. Drummers usually play the snare or bass drum; a good combo might include 2-3 bagpipers, 2 snare drummers and a bass drummer to create a magnificent sound.
What are the most popular songs for a Bagpiper to perform?
Bagpipers usually have an extensive repertoire of traditional Highland music, with a handful of contemporary songs thrown in for good measure.
Below is a mixture of classic and contemporary songs that can be played on the bagpipes:
Traditional songs
- Scotland the Brave
- Highland Cathedral
- All Those Endearing Young Charms
- Amazing Grace
- Highland Wedding
- Flower of Scotland
- The Skye Boat Song
- She Moves Through The Fair
- Mairi's Wedding
- The Wedding March
- The Black Bear
- Danny Boy
- Highland Laddie
- Lochanside
- Murdo's Wedding
- Bonnie Dundee
- Marie's Wedding
- The Rowan Tree
- Dark Island
- Glendaruel Highlanders
Modern Songs
- Here Comes The Sun
- Whiskey In The Jar
- Amazing Grace
- It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock' N' Roll)
- Mull of Kintyre
- Braveheart (theme song)
- Don't Stop Believing
- Thunderstruck
- Enter Sandman
- All of Me
- Happy
- Shake It Off
- Dark Horse
- Hey Jude
- We Will Rock You
- Wake Me Up
- Fix You
- Smoke On The Water
- I Was Made For Lovin' You Baby
- All-Star
How do I book a bagpiper?
To book a bagpiper, send us an enquiry with the date, time, and location of your event, as well as any specific requirements or preferences you may have. We'll then provide you with a selection of our best bagpipers and their fees.
Once you've found the perfect bagpiper, we'll guide you through the booking process, which includes a contract and deposit to secure the date.
