Bagpipers for Hire

Hire a Bagpiper in the UK

Clothed in full highland dress, bagpipers perform an assortment of traditional Scottish songs as well as well-known tunes such as Amazing Grace. Many couples choose to hire a bagpiper to perform outside the ceremony venue as guests arrive, during the signing of the register, and then again to pipe guests through to the wedding breakfast. Bagpipers are also regularly hired for funerals, to accompany someone on their final journey, and Burns Night is one of the busiest dates in any piper's calendar.

Bagpipers at weddings

A bagpiper adds a sense of occasion that few other musicians can match. The most common wedding booking is for the piper to play as guests gather before the ceremony, then again as the couple emerge afterwards, and sometimes to pipe guests into the reception or wedding breakfast. Some pipers also play during the signing of the register. If you are planning a Scottish-themed wedding or a ceremony with Celtic traditions, a piper alongside a ceilidh band for the evening reception is a popular combination.

Bagpipers at funerals and memorial services

Bagpipes are a traditional and deeply moving choice for funerals and memorial services. The piper will typically play at the beginning of the ceremony, often a single lament such as Amazing Grace or Flowers of the Forest, as mourners arrive or as the coffin is carried in. Some families also ask the piper to play at the graveside or as guests depart. If you are arranging a funeral at short notice, many of our pipers are available for last-minute bookings.

Burns Night and Scottish events

Burns Night (25th January) is one of the busiest dates for bagpipers, with pipers hired to play guests in, accompany the address to the haggis, and perform throughout the evening. Pipers are also popular at Scottish-themed corporate events, St Andrew's Day celebrations and Highland Games. For a full Burns supper with live music and dancing, pairing a piper with a ceilidh band creates an authentic Scottish evening.

What to look for when booking

Professional bagpipers will have a repertoire list and references from previous clients. If you are unsure what you would like the piper to perform or where, ask them to advise on what works best for your type of event. Experienced highland pipers will have played at hundreds of private functions and can guide you through the options. Check that your piper has public liability insurance and confirm what they will wear. Most pipers own full No. 1 highland dress (feather bonnet, piper's plaid and doublet) for formal occasions, though some may offer a more casual No. 2 dress with kilt and Glengarry.

Scottish and Irish pipes

Most pipers on this page play the Great Highland Bagpipe, the traditional Scottish instrument heard at weddings, funerals and military events. Some also play the Scottish smallpipes, which produce a quieter, sweeter sound suited to indoor performances and more intimate settings. Irish Uilleann pipes are a different instrument entirely, usually played sitting down, with a softer tone well suited to Celtic events, Irish-themed weddings and social gatherings. If you have a preference, check the individual listing or ask the piper directly.

Pricing

Bagpipers are typically priced between £80 and £786, with an average of £220. A standard performance is around 30 minutes, which for weddings is usually split between playing before and after the ceremony. Travel costs are often added on top, so hiring a piper local to your venue will help keep the total cost down. Use the location filters at the top of this page to find bagpipers near your venue.