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Bagpipers for hire in Reading, Berkshire

Hire a bagpiper for a wedding, funeral, Burns supper or any event in Reading, Berkshire. Choose from 54 local professional Highland pipers, all available to perform in full highland dress. Every listing includes audio samples, pricing and reviews from real clients. There are currently 971 reviews of bagpipers on the site, with an average rating of 5 out of 5. The average price for a bagpiper in Reading, Berkshire is £231. Use the filters below to narrow your search by event type and budget.

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How much does it cost to hire Bagpipers available in Reading, Berkshire?

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The average price for Bagpipers available in Reading, Berkshire is £231. Above you will also find a budget price and high end price. Contact the act you like for an accurate quote.

Reviews of Bagpipers available in Reading, Berkshire

Want to see more reviews? There are currently 971 reviews of Bagpipers in our review centre and the average rating is 5/5.

Frequently asked questions

How long do pipers usually perform for?

Pipers typically perform for around 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the booking. For weddings, the most common arrangement is for the piper to play as guests arrive at the venue, during the processional, and then again as the couple exits after the ceremony. Some couples also book the piper to lead guests from the ceremony to the reception area or to pipe in the top table at the wedding breakfast. For funerals, the piper usually plays at the beginning of the service and may also play as the cortege arrives or departs. For Burns Night suppers, the piper traditionally plays to address the haggis and may perform a short set during or after the meal. Discuss your preferred timings with the piper when booking so they can advise on the best arrangement for your event.

How far in advance do we need to book your services?

Booking bagpipers in Reading, Berkshire as early as possible increases the chance of securing their availability on your event date, particularly during busy times of the year. However, many acts also accept last minute bookings, and we have successfully arranged performances for clients with just a few hours' notice.

How much do bagpipers cost in Reading, Berkshire?

The cost of hiring musicians in Reading, Berkshire can vary significantly depending on the type of act. The average price is currently £231. Budget-level acts may be available for as low as £95, while top-tier acts can command prices as high as £786.

Which parts of a wedding can a bagpiper play at?

A bagpiper can add a ceremonial touch to several parts of a wedding day. The most popular options are playing as guests arrive at the venue, performing during the processional as the wedding party enters, and playing the recessional as the couple exits after the ceremony. Some couples also book the piper to lead guests from the ceremony to the drinks reception, to pipe the couple and their guests into the wedding breakfast, or to pipe in the top table before the meal begins. Bagpipes are primarily an outdoor instrument, so pipers most commonly perform outside the venue entrance or in a garden or courtyard. If your ceremony is indoors, discuss this with the piper as some venues may find the volume too loud for an enclosed space. Some pipers offer the Scottish small pipes as a quieter indoor alternative.

What type of music do bagpipers play?

Most bagpipers play traditional Scottish and Irish tunes. Popular choices for weddings include Highland Cathedral, Scotland the Brave, Amazing Grace, Flower of Scotland and Mairi's Wedding. For funerals, Amazing Grace, Going Home and Flowers of the Forest are among the most requested pieces. Some pipers also offer modern arrangements of popular songs, though the Great Highland Bagpipe is limited to nine notes (a range of just over one octave), which means not every song can be adapted for the instrument. If you have a specific tune in mind, ask the piper well in advance whether it is possible to play. Pipers who also play the Scottish small pipes or the Uilleann pipes (the Irish equivalent) can offer a wider range of music with a softer, mellower tone.

What do bagpipers wear?

Professional bagpipers typically wear one of two styles of traditional highland dress. No. 1 dress is the full ceremonial outfit, which includes a feather bonnet (tall hat), piper's doublet (jacket), piper's plaid (a length of tartan draped over the shoulder), a large horsehair sporran, and gillie brogues. This is the most formal option and is often chosen for weddings and ceremonial occasions. No. 2 dress is a smarter everyday outfit consisting of a kilt, day jacket, tie, Glengarry cap, and a smaller sporran. This is still very smart and is appropriate for any event. Not every piper owns No. 1 dress, as it is expensive to purchase, so if you have a preference, confirm this when booking. Some pipers can also offer a choice of tartans, though this is more common with No. 2 dress.

Can a bagpiper play indoors?

Bagpipes are a very loud instrument and are primarily designed for outdoor performance. A solo piper can comfortably project to several hundred guests in the open air without any amplification. Indoors, the volume can be overwhelming in smaller or enclosed spaces, which is why most pipers perform outside the venue entrance, in a courtyard or in a garden. If you want the piper to play indoors, for example during the ceremony itself, discuss this with both the piper and the venue in advance. Some larger venues such as churches, castles and banqueting halls can accommodate the volume well. For smaller or more enclosed spaces, some pipers offer the Scottish small pipes, which produce a quieter, mellower sound that is better suited to indoor use. This is worth asking about when making your enquiry.

What events are bagpipers suitable for?

Bagpipers are most commonly hired for weddings and funerals, but they are a popular choice for a wide range of occasions. Burns Night suppers are a traditional highlight, with the piper playing to address the haggis and performing during the evening. Bagpipers are also regularly booked for corporate events, St Andrew's Day celebrations, Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) parties, military events, sporting occasions, product launches and milestone birthday celebrations. The visual impact of a piper in full highland dress combined with the distinctive sound of the instrument makes them a memorable addition to almost any event.

Can I request a specific song for my bagpiper to play?

Most bagpipers are happy to take specific requests, provided the tune works within the range of the instrument. The Great Highland Bagpipe has nine notes spanning just over one octave, which means some songs cannot be adapted. Traditional Scottish and Irish tunes are written for the instrument and will always be available. Modern pop or contemporary songs may be possible depending on the melody, but not all will work. If you have a particular song in mind, mention it to the piper as early as possible so they can confirm whether it is playable and have time to prepare it if needed. Popular wedding choices that work well on the bagpipes include Highland Cathedral, Amazing Grace, Scotland the Brave, A Hundred Pipers and Mhari's Wedding.

Frequently asked questions about Bagpipers available in Reading, Berkshire, how to register and how results are ordered are in the help & FAQs.

Hire a Bagpiper in Reading, Berkshire

Whether you are looking for a piper for a wedding, funeral, Burns Night celebration or private event, the bagpipers available in Reading, Berkshire are experienced at performing for a range of occasions in full highland dress.

When to hire a bagpiper

At weddings, pipers most commonly play as guests arrive at the ceremony venue and again as the couple emerge afterwards. Some also pipe guests through to the wedding breakfast. At funerals and memorial services, a piper typically plays a lament as mourners arrive or as the coffin is carried in. For Burns Night suppers, the piper plays guests in and accompanies the address to the haggis. Bagpipers are also popular at corporate events, St Andrew's Day celebrations and milestone birthday parties.

Booking and pricing

Bagpipers in Reading, Berkshire are currently priced between £95 and £786, with an average of £231. A standard performance is around 30 minutes. Travel costs are usually added on top of the performance fee, so hiring a piper close to your venue will help keep the total down. If you need a piper at short notice, many of the acts listed here accept last-minute bookings. For Scottish-themed events where you also want evening entertainment, consider pairing a piper with a ceilidh band.

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Bagpipers for hire in Reading, Berkshire

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Browse categories similar to Bagpipers

How much does it cost to hire Bagpipers available in Reading, Berkshire?

£ Low Price

££ Average Price

£££ High Price

Reviews of Bagpipers available in Reading, Berkshire

Millie Scott

Irene Piper

Solent Bagpiper

Robin Bagpiping

MacKenzie Pipes

Piper Alistair McCallum

Frequently asked questions

Hire a Bagpiper in Reading, Berkshire

When to hire a bagpiper

Booking and pricing

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