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The Essential Piper
From £290.00
Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extrasFrom £290.00
Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extrasOverview
To those in the know, when it comes to occasions requiring a piper of the highest calibre, Colin Whitelaw is the first choice. A full-time professional Scottish bagpiper, he has absolutely earned his reputation as The Essential Piper. You'd expect Colin to be a virtuoso piper, and that's a given, but it's his versatility, along with his unmatched skills in speaking and presentation, that have made him one of the most in-demand pipers in the country.
A wedding piper and much more. Although he's incredibly busy as a wedding piper, playing at ceremonies and drinks receptions, Colin is regularly called upon for a host of other events too, including memorial services and funerals, corporate events, festivals, military and Masonic events, and school celebrations. In fact, he's there any time an exceptional piper in immaculate order is essential. One couple even booked him to play on the Sunday morning after their wedding to welcome their guests.
Burns suppers and the Address to the Haggis. A gifted speaker and a Burns aficionado, Colin is completely comfortable in front of large and learned audiences. His Address to the Haggis is rightly renowned among experts as the best in the business, so you can have the full effect at your Burns supper rather than settling for second best.
Immaculately turned out. Colin has an extensive variety of uniforms and kilts in a multitude of different tartans. If your event needs a particular look or theme, it's likely he'll be able to accommodate you, if not with the exact tartan then with something complementary in appearance. He takes enormous pride in his appearance, is a stickler for punctuality, and is friendly and easy to get on with, while being solemn and dignified when the occasion requires it.
Where Colin has played. Colin has piped at venues across Scotland, including Crossbasket Castle, Blairquhan Castle, Rowallan Castle, Neidpath Castle, Carrick Castle Estate, Dunglass Estate, Seamill Hydro, Cottiers, Greyfriars Church and the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh, as well as Burns suppers at the Trout Hotel and Blairquhan Castle.
What clients say. Read the reviews below and you'll see couples and organisers praising the same things: a piper who arrives on time, looks fantastic, keeps in touch before the big day and is patient and accommodating on the day itself, even when plans change at the last minute.
Book The Essential Piper through Hireaband. Colin is a full-time piper, so piping is his job, and you can relax knowing you're in the hands of a consummate professional. He holds public liability insurance and is available at any time and in any location worldwide. To check whether your date is free, make a quick enquiry using the form on this page and we'll get right back to you, or contact the Hireaband team for free expert assistance. Hireaband has been booking live music in Scotland since 1999, is a full member of The Entertainment Agents' Association and has won 4 VOWS Awards for customer service. You'll find answers to common questions below and in our Scottish weddings and events FAQs.
Reviews (18)
Thanks so much to Colin - he was absolutely great and was very patient in waiting at different parts of the day. We loved hearing him play and would definitely recommend him!
Thank you to Lisa for organising the piper, Colin, for my son’s p7 class! Top class service. Nothing was an issue. Fabulous. Colin you did a wonderful job, everyone was blown away. Thanks again!
Colin - the essential piper was just the best piper we could imagine. Very communicative in the lead up to our wedding. Made some beautiful suggestions for our ceremony and even called to play a suggestion on his chanter. He was really flexible when the weather threatened to hamper our plans and on top of all that he was a very talented musician. Would definitely recommend!
The Essential Piper, Colin was INCREDIBLE!!! He was on time, looked fantastic and was on top form! Thank you so much again for playing us back up the aisle to my husband’s teams song. Amazing!
Colin was fantastic, big thanks to him and Gaye from Hireaband for sorting out the booking. I'd taken a last-minute decision to add a piper for our wedding on Saturday, just to add some spectacle to the event and that's exactly what he did. He was there to pipe in our guests as they arrived for the ceremony, then piped my bride into the grand ballroom and both of us and our guests back out again for our big group photo on the steps. He was with us right up until he piped us in for our meal, making every entrance and exit that bit more special. Given the kilts, and the traditional Scottish elements of the ceremony, Colin was the perfect addition.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You made the whole process seamless and easy!
We did something a little bit different and organised for the piper to play on the Sunday morning after our wedding to welcome our guests for breakfast. Our piper was brilliant. He was punctual and professional. He had good communication throughout. Our guests, especially our English relatives couldn’t stop raving about him and he was kind enough to have photos taken also. Would highly recommend. Colin was friendly and approachable and a great musician.
Colin was great from getting all the information before the wedding to when we wanted him to play and what style of songs we would like guests loved arriving to traditional Scottish piper playing, and I loved that he played our music when being announced as Mr & Mrs to one of our favourite Scottish songs, he was also great at even helping my husband and wedding party on fixing there kilts and buttonholes before the ceremony. hire a band was also great at contacting me to give me all the information needed before wedding and had come and go with me when I wasn’t 100% sure on the times when booking would definitely recommend
The Essential Piper was amazing, played to perfection and looked the part. Booking him will be once less worry as everything will go without a hitch . Highly recommended.
Colin - Piper - Superb from start to finish. His experience was obvious from the start & he looked resplendent from Top to Toe. We loved his repertoire & so did the Guests.
Hireaband - Very professional, kept in touch regularly & we had confidence in them. Many thanks & won't hesitate to use you again or recommend to family/friends.
Colin was fabulous. Would highly recommend him.
Great piper and lovely to chat too.
Great performance and our international guests loved him in his full dress.
Our piper was amazing I got goosebumps when I first heard him and everyone said he was incredible. Colin is such a nice man and I would recommend him in the future tell him thanks very much.
Colin was really fantastic. He was very considerate to all our needs and did a wonderful job. We would definitely recommend Colin to anyone looking for a great piper for their special day
We were so pleased with Colin, the piper. He was brilliant and even stepped in and played when planned music in the church failed which was very much appreciated. Would definitely recommend him to friends.
Colin was once again, absolutely amazing. He arrived early as stayed over at the hotel on the night. Guests were very happy and the entire night was a complete success. We would love to have him back again for next year!
Just a note to thank you guys for both Cassien and Colin the essential piper. They were both absolutely brilliant and helped make our special day perfect. Please would you pass my thanks on to both - the guests loved them - they totally nailed it!
Thanks once again for arranging this for us!
Colin was fantastic. Thank you so much for sourcing.
FAQs
Who is The Essential Piper?
Can Colin play at our wedding ceremony and drinks reception?
Does Colin perform the Address to the Haggis?
What other events does Colin play?
What will Colin wear?
Can Colin wear a particular tartan to match our wedding?
Will Colin arrive on time?
Is Colin a full-time piper?
Where will Colin travel to?
Is Colin insured?
How do we book The Essential Piper?
Further Info
Line-Up
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Default Line Up
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Solo Bagpiper
Performance Times
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Alternative Timings May Be Available Upon Request
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Piping at ceremony
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as and when required throughout the day until wedding meal.
Provided by the Act
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Public Liability Insurance & PAT Tested Equipment
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Dressed in full Highland regalia.
Gallery
Band Website
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