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Bagpipers for hire in Surrey

Hire a bagpiper in Surrey for a wedding, funeral, Burns supper or any event. Choose from 56 professional Highland pipers available locally, all performing in full highland dress. Surrey's country house venues and church settings provide a natural backdrop for the sound of the bagpipes. Each listing includes audio samples, pricing and reviews from real clients. There are 941 reviews of bagpipers on the site, with an average rating of 5 out of 5. The average price for a bagpiper in Surrey is £227.

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How much does it cost to hire Bagpipers available in Surrey?

£ Low Price

from

£95

££ Average Price

from

£227

£££ High Price

from

£786

The average price for Bagpipers available in Surrey is £227. 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 Surrey

Want to see more reviews? There are currently 941 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 Surrey 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 Surrey?

The cost of hiring musicians in Surrey can vary significantly depending on the type of act. The average price is currently £227. 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.

What should I consider when hiring a bagpiper for an event in Surrey?

Surrey is one of the most popular wedding counties in England, with a wide range of venues from grand country estates and National Trust properties to converted barns, vineyards and boutique hotels. The sound of bagpipes carries beautifully across the gardens and grounds that many of these venues offer, making Surrey a particularly good setting for an outdoor piping performance. If your venue is in a residential area, check with them in advance about any noise restrictions, as bagpipes are a very loud instrument and some venues with close neighbours may have concerns. For rural Surrey venues, share detailed directions with the piper and let them know about any access restrictions such as narrow lanes or gravel drives. Surrey's proximity to London means there is a strong selection of pipers available locally, and travel costs from London-based pipers are usually modest.

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

Hire a Bagpiper in Surrey

Surrey may not be the first place you associate with bagpipes, but the county's busy wedding and events market means there is steady demand for professional pipers. Many of the bagpipers available here are based in Surrey or nearby London and cover the county's churches, country house hotels and barn venues regularly.

Bagpipers at Surrey weddings

The combination of a piper in full highland dress and Surrey's country house and garden venues is a striking one. Pipers are most commonly booked to play as guests arrive at the ceremony, as the couple emerge, and to pipe guests through to the wedding breakfast. For outdoor ceremonies in the grounds of Surrey's rural venues, the pipes carry well across open spaces without amplification. If you are adding a Scottish element to a country wedding, a piper pairs well with a ceilidh band in Surrey for the evening entertainment.

Memorial services and funerals

Bagpipes are a moving and dignified choice for funerals and memorial services. A lone piper playing Amazing Grace or Flowers of the Forest as mourners arrive is one of the most affecting sounds at any service. Pipers covering Surrey are experienced at performing at local churches, crematoria and graveside services, and several are available at short notice.

Burns Night and other events

Burns Night suppers are popular at pubs, restaurants and private homes across Surrey, and a piper is essential for the traditional format. Beyond Burns Night, bagpipers are also booked for milestone birthdays, retirement parties, corporate events and St Andrew's Day celebrations. Surrey's proximity to London means many pipers cover both areas, giving you a wider choice of acts.

Pricing in Surrey

Bagpipers in Surrey are currently priced between £95 and £786, with an average of £227. A standard booking covers around 30 minutes of performance. Travel costs depend on the piper's base location, so choosing one based nearby will help keep the overall fee down.

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Browse categories similar to Bagpipers

How much does it cost to hire Bagpipers available in Surrey?

£ Low Price

££ Average Price

£££ High Price

Reviews of Bagpipers available in Surrey

Millie Scott

Irene Piper

Robin Bagpiping

MacKenzie Pipes

Paul Boness - Piper

Highland Bagpipes in the South East

Frequently asked questions

Hire a Bagpiper in Surrey

Bagpipers at Surrey weddings

Memorial services and funerals

Burns Night and other events

Pricing in Surrey

Not found what you're looking for?

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