Ewan Ross

Ewan lives in the Scottish Borders and has played Highland Pipes from his boyhood. He has played with several pipe bands, attending folklore festivals, highland games and competitions at an advanced level. He began to play a set of bellows blown Border Pipes in the early 1990’s and also plays the Scottish Smallpipes, suitable for indoor venues. Ewan also plays different whistles, including the lovely, flute-like low whistle- again, suitable for indoor venues. He plays a wide variety of music, from traditional and contemporary pipe tunes, through to folk music and tunes from the Borders, Highlands, other parts of Scotland, Ireland and other countries. He has been a member and leader of a number of folk bands and enjoys playing with other musicians as well as performing solo. He is very happy to adapt his performance to suit the needs of customers and should be able accommodate most musical requests. He has extensive experience at playing for weddings and other events and can adapt his repertoire to fit the occasion, playing popular pipe tunes and folk melodies as well as more unusual requests. His repertoire extends from popular traditional tunes to more contemporary pieces by composers such as Phil Cunningham, Gordon Duncan and Fred Morrison. Some examples of the tunes he has been asked to play are: Highland Cathedral, Caledonia, The Flower of Scotland; Scotland the Brave; Mairi’s Wedding; The Highland Wedding; The Green Hills of Tyrol; The Atholl Highlanders; Loch Lomond, The Mingulay Boat Song. Ewan’s main instrument is the Highland Pipes, but he can also accommodate requirements for a different sound, involving whistles or smallpipes. He is and experienced teacher of chanter, Highland Pipes and Scottish Smallpipes. He is smartly turned out and prefers a ‘Jacobite’ style costume with blue bonnet, Jacobite shirt and doublet and kilt- but can play in more formal Argyll jacket, waistcoat and tie, with the kilt. Highlights of Ewan’s playing career include: • Recently playing for the First Minister of Scotland • Playing for tourists as part of bespoke Scottish tours- at iconic locations such as Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Rannoch Moor • ‘Beating the Retreat’ at Stirling Castle • Attending International Folklore Festivals to promote Scottish Culture and music • Playing for guests at weddings at locations such as Borthwick Castle, Neidpath Castle and Traquair House • Performing at Folk Clubs and Festivals