Music for LONDON | Mike Bagpiper

Professional Highland Bagpiper

‘Flowers of the Forest’

Mike has played bagpipes solo for many years also with various bands in Essex, London & the home counties. He will be delighted to discuss your event and will accommodate you in any way he can.

The unique skirl of the pipes will make a wonderful addition to any occasion. From a wedding, birthday, funeral or corporate event, you will not be disappointed.

Services

Birthdays

Celebrate A Loved One’s Birthday with a surprise!

Scottish Bagpiping at a Birthday is a great touch and will always be talked about a long time after the anniversary. Your family member, friend or guest will have their best day ever, and it’s been seen again and again, some incredible reactions of joy and patriotism.

WEDDINGS

When does the piper play at a wedding?

This is entirely up to you. Below are some suggestions. They are happy to go through these with you to help you decide what is best for YOU.

BURNS NIGHT

Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Ayrshire, on the 25th of January 1759. Every year on and around the 25th of January, the world celebrates the life and work of the most famous of all Scottish poets, Robert Burns ‘The Bard’ (1759-1796), by having Burns Suppers. Every Burns Supper has its own special form and flavour, but they all share the common purpose of honouring Scotland’s Bard. They range from extremely formal occasions to informal rave-ups of drunkards and louts. They all follow the same basic principles, the eating of a Scottish meal (Haggis, Mince, Tatties and Neeps), the drinking of Scotch whisky, and the reciting of Burn’s Songs and Poetry.

A bagpiper is an essential ingredient to any Burns supper. The piper is generally used for greeting guests, piping in the haggis and a short musical recital after dinner.

PIPER FOR FUNERALS

Pipers have been used at military and state funerals for centuries, but now Piping is becoming more of a common feature at everyday funerals. The Bagpipes add a special touch to any funeral providing sweet, haunting melodies. The sound of the bagpipe is the perfect send-off for your loved ones. They can be used at any funeral, whether it is a cremation or burial. We can also offer a Piper to play the small Scottish pipes, which have a more mellow sound for use during the service.

Cremations

You can have the Piper playing laments outside the crematorium as mourners arrive and lay wreaths. The music will help them drift off into a world of remembrance. The Pipes can also be used during the service when the coffin is being lowered and the curtain is being drawn. We can also lead the hearse from the entrance of the crematorium to the door.

Burials

Again the Pipes can be used inside or outside the church during the ceremony. We can play to lead the coffin from the service to the hearse to take the departed on their final journey. The piper can paige the hearse into the cemetery. At the graveside, the Piper can play as the coffin is being lowered into the ground and continue to play as the mourners pay their last respects and take a moment for reflection. At this point, the Piper can march slowly away until the music fades into the distance.

PARTIES AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH

Add a little Scottish zing to your party with the skirl of the highland bagpipes. Whether it be Birthday, Retirement, Anniversary, Christmas, Engagement, Graduation, or any other party or celebration, A Piper is on hand to offer lively, rousing Scottish entertainment. Why not surprise the guest of honour with a Piper or even a full Pipe Band in the middle of their celebrations or as they first enter the hall to realise they have a surprise party? Imagine the look on their face when they hear the piper strike up to play Happy Birthday or Congratulations.

Highland Cathedral on Bagpipes at Boreham House

Repertoire

Popular Tunes

Abide With me
Auld lang syne
A Mans A Man
Amazing grace
Balmoral
Battle of the Somme
Brown haired maiden
Battles O’re
Bonnie Dundee
Ben Guillion
Bonnie Lass of Fyvie’o
Castle Dangerous
Collins cattle
Dark Isle
Erin’s green shore
Farewell to Camraw
Fields of Athenry
Flower of Scotland
Flowers of the forest
Green hills
Going home
Hadleigh Castle
Hector, the Hero
Highland laddie
Highland cathedral
I see mull
I love a lassie
Killiecrankie
La Baum
Loch Lomond
Marine corps hymn
Marie’s wedding
Morag of Dunvegan
Mac n Irish
Murdo’s wedding
My land
Orange and blue
Piper’s Waltz
Rowan tree
She walks through the fair
Simple Gifts (Lord of the Dance)
Skyboat
Star Wars Theme
Stone in love with you (stylistics)
Stop your tickling jock
Sweet maid of Glendaruel
The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain
The Earl of Mansfield
The Gael
The Heights of Dargai
Tipperary
The Earl of Mansfield
The Mermaid song
The Rose (Bett Middler, Westlife)
Teribus
Rainbow Country
Rose of Kelvingrove
Wedding March (Wagner)
When the pipers play
Wings
You Raised Me Up (chorus only)

Testimonials

We had a really lovely time today, and so enjoyed your playing. My parents have told me multiple times how surprised and thrilled they were. The neighbours have also said how much they thoroughly enjoyed your performance and the afternoon. A memorable lockdown experience!

Claire

Birthday in Harpendon

Mike was tremendous, and I have received so many compliments about him– you were a delight to work with – thank you.

Geoffrey Howe

Queens College Cambridge

We hired Mike for our son and daughter in laws wedding celebration on New Year’s Eve. From the initial contact to the night of the event, Mike was always easy to contact, which meant the evening was really easy to organise. Mike was immaculately turned out, and his pipe is playing first class. He played a large selection of tunes, and to top it all, he piped the bride and groom into the main hall, which was truly fantastic. Mike stayed on to have photo after photo taken with all the guests. A real gentleman. I would highly recommend Mike to play at any given function. Thanks for making a great night even more special

Pete Cawley

Colchester Town Hall

Our Piper was great! He arrived on time and played exactly what we wanted him to play, including a rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland!!!! I would definitely book him again.

JohnStevenson

Burns Night Supper

Dear Mike, thank you for playing at my grandad’s funeral. You sounded amazing, and it added that personal touch. Everyone commented on how professional you were, looked fantastic in your dress uniform and mostly, how great it sounded. Thanks again, Mike!

Amy

Funeral

MFL843