Event Ideas for a Solo Highland Bagpiper

Weddings
A Scottish wedding isn't complete without a Bagpiper to greet the guests on arrival and to bring ceremony to the proceedings. The following is the normal format for having a Piper play at your wedding but can be adapted to suit the occasion. Pipe for the arrival of the guests. Pipe for the arrival of the Bride and Bridesmaids. Pipe Bride into ceremony if required. Pipe after the ceremony leading the happy married couple outside. Pipe during initial photographs. Pipe for arrival of guests and wedding party to reception venue. Pipe Bride and Groom and Top Table guests to Dinner. As an additional extra why not book a wake up call on the morning after the ceremony, if it's good enough for the Queen! It is normal and much requested that the piper be available to pose for photographs with the newly married couple and with guests, a function which I am happy to perform. With the No.1 military style uniform this has become a regular and much sought after opportunity for those wishing special memories of their day. Without doubt this is the way all pipers should be dressed, standing out from the kilted guests in a definite visual role. Costs for this service vary according to requirements, travelling distance, times and dates. Special rates for midweek (Monday - Thursday) apply.
Dinners
This function is requested mostly from companies and organisations hosting conferences and meetings. The role of the piper here varies according to venue as the dinner itself need not necessary be in the same location. Therefore the guests can be met by the Piper at the door or car park and led to the entrance to be met by the venue staff. The sound of the pipes is the normal call to dinner at these events and guests follow the piper to the dinning room. During dinner a Haggis, Neeps and Tatties course may be served, again the piper can add ceremony to this by piping in the Haggis, introducing Robert Burns as Scotland's national poet followed by The Address to the Haggis, a poem extolling the virtues of Scotland's national dish. After dinner the piper may be asked to perform a selection of tunes or lead Highland dancers in a display of Scottish Highland Dancing. Costs for this service vary according to requirements, travelling distance, times and dates.
Funerals
Whither it be a graveyard, crematorium or scattering of ashes the music of the Bagpipes is a moving and evocative touch to such a sad and heartbreaking event. The sound of the Pipes focuses the gathering mourners on the solemnity of the occasion whilst taking the edge of the harshness of grieving but gives a touch of ceremony and dignity to the life of the deceased. Once the ceremony of the military and ex - servicemen this function is carried out more often for those who are Scottish and those with a Scottish connection. Format for a funeral is as follows. Leading the cortege to the graveside and as the mourners gather round with some slow marches and airs. During the laying of the coffin a lament is played, normal the Flowers of the Forest. Finally, when the mourners leave the graveside some retreats and marches. At Crematoriums the Piper can play for the mourners arriving, departing or leading the coffin into the chapel. However, permission has to be sought from the management as rules vary about the times and places for a Piper to play. Costs for this service vary according to venue location. From £60.
Burns Supper
The biggest and most popular Scottish celebration night after Hogmanay. Burns Suppers celebrate the works of Robert Burns on the anniversary of his birth on the 25th January 1759. Although this is the official date these suppers take place every weekend and during the week until and including dates in March, such is the popularity of the event. Obviously Pipers are in great demand owing to the number of events taking place and it is advised that enquiries and bookings should be made at the earliest opportunity. Be aware, Pipers tend to have a diary from one year to the next, if you get a good Piper book him for next year. The Pipers roles include some or all of the following Pipe for arrival of guests. Pipe speakers and official guests to top table Pipe in the Haggis, address is normally carried out by a speaker but I am prepared to do this. Call company to order after breaks with a selection of tunes. Play selection of tunes when required during the evening. Costs for this service vary according to venue location. Hospitality is normally offered at these events therefore, price reflects this generosity.
Openings
Do you have the grand opening of a shop, store, community facility, organisation or launch of a product or service? Then draw attention to it by reaching out to those around you with the sound of the Bagpipes, there curiosity will be aroused sufficiently to drawn them closer. The piper normally plays for 20 - 30 minute stints on these occasions to highlight an event to passers by, thus increasing the numbers likely to attend the event. Costs for this service vary on location and time required to play.
Arrivals
Surprise your loved one with an unexpected welcome to Scotland with the sound of its national instrument, The Great Highland Bagpipe. When someone close to you is returning home or visiting Scotland for the first time or wither you wish to make a first time impression on them then why not hire a Piper to play them into the country, this is sure to make an impact and give them a memory that will last forever. It may be at an airport, dock, hotel or other venue, the choice is yours. This type of event is sudden and has to be executed precisely to get maximum impact, good communication between the hirer and the Piper is essential. Costs for this service vary on location.
Birthdays
A special birthday party wouldn't be complete without a surprise, why not make it a Scottish Highland Piper. If you are having the party at a special location you could have the guests or the Birthday Boy/Girl piped in on arrival followed by the cake being piped into the hall. Or you could just have the piper appear out of nowhere to play a selection of Scottish tunes. Costs for this service vary on location.
Corporate Functions
When you are entertaining your clients or organising a conference why not welcome them with the sound of the pipes, an great idea for an ice breaker before proceedings begin. A combination of some of the above suggestions may be more suitable for an evening of entertainment. Contact me for further information. Costs for this service vary on location, date and time of event.
Evening Entertainment
Similar to dinners, Burns Suppers, St Andrews nights and Scottish nights. Contact me for more information and suggestions. Costs for this service vary on location, date and time of event.
St Andrews / Scottish Nights
Similar to dinners, Burns Suppers and evening entertainment. Contact me for more information and suggestions. Costs for this service vary on location, date and time of event.
Photograph / Film & TV Work
In the past I have worked for all aspects of media and marketing. If you require a Scottish Bagpiper or even just an extra please call me for availability. TV work includes; Wish you were here, Nickolodeon (Educational, honest), GB. Castles in Scotland, Trading Castles, Most haunted Castles, US. Things to try before you die, AUS. Argentine TV The Movies; A Bollywood production. (The name escapes me), IND. Adverts for Nokia. Video/DVD Lots including my own demo which is available on request. Magazine; Daks, JP. Ossur, ICE Newspapers: Daily Record, The Herald, The Sun, GB. Mannheim Zeitung, DE.

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	PIPED IN by Bryce McCulloch
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Last Update 18 April 2008