| Up to 2 hours: £330 |
| Up to 3 hours: £360 |
| Up to 4 hours: £415 |
| New Year and Burns Nights are high demand dates and will be charged at bespoke rates. |
Originally from Dundee, Scotland, Alan began learning pipes in the Boy's Brigade at the age of 9. Having now been playing for over 40 years, although always learning, he has achieved a high standard of performance as well as a wide repertoire of tunes.
Alan has played at numerous and varied functions, at home and abroad, throughout his piping career, as well as competing with both Tayside Police and Rose and Thistle Pipes and Drums.
Alan has been Pipe Major of the Rose and Thistle since 2016, and led the band in the New York Tartan Day Parade as part of their 65th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
Based in Portsmouth, Alan plays regularly at weddings, funerals, Burns nights etc, as well as military functions at various sites in the area, including on board HMS Victory herself.
Alan has a wealth of experience and is happy to advise on tune selection, best use of the piper, even Highland dress queries if required, and will work with you to help ensure a successful event.
Alan is available to travel to your function within approx 100 mile radius of Portsmouth.
Based in Portsmouth, Hampshire
= areas covered (up to 100 miles)
Loch Lomond
Hector the Hero
Skye Boat SongSteam Boat (normally played with Cock O' the North, Hundred Pipers, Muckin O' Geordies Byre)
Amazing Grace
Highland Cathedral
Mengalay Boat Song
Dark Island
Black Bear
Highland Laddie, Brown Haired Maiden
Flett From Flotta, Battle of Waterloo
Green Hills, Battles O'er, Lochanside
Scotland The Brave, Rowan Tree, Bonnie Gallowa, Old Rustic Bridge
Barren Rocks, Maries Wedding
Crags of Tumbledown, Falkland Palace
Parking and somewhere to tune the pipes before performing.
Please let me know if my performance is to be a surprise.
Bagpipes are loud and I will need to tune up somewhere out of earshot.
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As Pipe Major of the Rose and Thistle Pipes and Drums I had the privilege of leading the band in the New York Tartan Day Parade this year as part of our 65th anniversary celebrations.
I started to learn pipes aged 9, in the Boy's Brigade.
After a short time with Tayside Police, I moved to Portsmouth and joined the Rose & Thistle, as well as the Royal Naval Pipe Band Association.
I have been fortunate to play solo and with both bands at numerous weddings, functions, memorials and Burns nights, festivals, parades and ceremonies from Cornwall to Kent as well as the USA, Holland and Germany
I normally arrive at least 30 mins before the performance to tune up. I will normally play 2 x 20 minute sets. I'm happy to play a bit longer or shorter but I've found that this suits best for myself and for the audience.
Yes, I am quite used to playing outdoors in most weather conditions.
I have a large repertoire of pipe tunes. I will contact you in advance to discuss any specific pipe tunes you have in mind and am always happy to look at learning a new tune.
Sometimes a request isn't suitable for bagpipes and I will let you know if it would work or not.
Yes, I'm happy to discuss a tune list with you in advance.
I have over 50 years worth of pipe tunes and I'm happy to learn new ones if they are appropriate for the bagpipes.
Bagpipes are a traditional instrument and we have only nine notes to work with.
This means that they sound best when playing tunes written for the instrument.
Yes, this is no problem at all.
For example, this can be a good way to encourage guests to leave the bar area and enter the dining room.
I do avoid playing while coming down stairs though, for safety reasons.
HMS Victory, Portsmouth
Wedding venues across Hampshire
Cologne Carnival, Germany
Edinburgh Castle
Mansion House, London
New York, USA
Menin Gate, Belgium
Wedding
Birthday Party
Private Event
Corporate Event
Hotel / Restaurant Event
Bar / Venue Event
Funeral / Memorial
Wedding Proposal
Charity Event
Burns Night
New Year's Eve
Traditional Scottish Folk
Military
Scottish Music
Instrumental
100% acoustic (no power)
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