Hire John Gillies | Bagpiper in Glasgow

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From£187.50

1 hour

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1-3 of 3 videos

4/4 Marches

Piping the Bride and Groom into the diner

Slow Airs & Jigs

About John

An experienced, professional and punctual piper for every occasion.

3 of 16 photos

Bagpiper

Glasgow

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I am a Glasgow based Bagpiper, originally from The Isle of Skye. I have been playing the bagpipes for over 19 years, competing at local and national competitions both solo and with various pipe bands. I have a vast experience of piping at weddings and various other functions all over the United Kingdom as well as being the honorary piper for the Glasgow Skye Association. This consists of playing at events throughout the year such as ceilidhs, annual dinners and much more. If you would like me to play at your event please don't hesitate to contact me via the link below or through my contact section, where I will provide information on availability and cost. I look forward to hearing from you, Kindest Regards, John

John

5 out of 5

3 verified reviews

Satisfaction

5.0

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

5.0

Punctuality

5.0

John's Reviews

5 out of 5

John was truly amazing from start to finish, he added something really beautiful to the ceremony. But his clear professionalism and love for what he does when I made first contact with him really showed us that he was the right piper for us. He recorded loads of tracks to play during the ceremony to give us just the right feel we were looking for. We wanted atmospheric and magical and that's exactly what he provided. Thank you John. I highly recommend him.

Reply from John

3 months ago

Hi Nina, I loved playing for you and Samuele's intimate ceremony in Edinburgh. It was so special and thank you for your kind words. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.

5 out of 5

Fantastic experience with John communicated well turned upon early and played beautifully couldn’t fault him and would definitely recommend

Reply from John

5 months ago

Thank you for the lovely review. It was a pleasure to play for you all!

5 out of 5

John was a delight to have play at our wedding. His professional playing and friendly nature was a highlight of the whole day. We would thoroughly recommend him to anyone, Thanks again John!!

We were delighted that John was able to play at our wedding. He arrived early to organise the plan of action and was more than happy to play for all guests arriving to the Chapel as well as the wedding party. He then lead the wedding party and marched over to the reception in Bute Hall and piped in the top table. He was professional in playing throughout the day and was a joy to have, the guests loved him!!

Read all 4 reviews

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5th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 5 years

John's Song list

2/4 Marches

Glenfinnan Highland Gathering

Arthur Bignold of Lochsrosque

John MacDonald of Glencoe

79th Farewell to Gibraltar

Jim McBay's Welcome

The Knightswood Ceilidh

The Hills of Perth

Achany Glen

Black Bear

Cameronian Quickstep/Hendersons March

Highland Laddie

Hugh Kennedy

Highland Wedding

Mairi’s Wedding

The Pap of Glencoe

Teribus

The Australian Ladies

The Sweet Maid of Glendaruel

Pipe Major Ross' Farewell to the Scots Guards

The Brown Haired Maiden

Walter Douglas, M.B.E

Corriechoillie's Welcome to the Northern Meeting

Flower of Scotland

3/4 Marches

Pipe Major Angus Macdonald

The Bloody Field of Flanders

I See Mull

Castle Dangerous

The Argylls Crossing the Po

My Home Town

The Killworth Hills

Farewell to Nigg

MacGregor of Rora

Loch Maree

The Highland Brigade at Magersfontein

Jimmy Mackenzie of Stornoway

Green Hills of Tyrol

When the battler O’er

Lochanside

My Land

Shoals of Herring

Colin’s Cattle

4/4 Marches

The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain

Lord Lovat's Lament

The 50th Anniversary of the Isle of Skye Pipe Band

At Long Last

Killiecrankie

Dawning of the Day

Marching through Pitlochry

The Crusaders March

Scotland the Brave

Rowantree

Loch Ruan

51st Highland Devision

Flett from Flotta

Battle of Waterloo

Wee Highland Laddie

Cha Till MacCruimen

6/8 Marches

Donald Macleod of Lewis

Jean Mauchlin

Old Adam

Bengullion

The Cock of The North

Steamboat

Heights of Cassino

Kenneth J. MacLeod

Marchall Cressent

John D. Burges

Mrs Lily Christie

Portree Bay

The Trees of North Uist

Farewell to the Creeks

John Barclay

The Glendaruel Highlanders

Leaving Port Askaig

Angus Mackinnon

Miss Isabel T. MacDonald

Dr. Ross's 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering

9/8 Marches

Captain H B H E Monro

The Bathgate Highland Gathering

The Black Isle

Battle of the Somme

The Heights of Dargai

Strathspeys

Caberfeidh

O'er the Bows to Ballindalloch

Orange & Blue

The Braes of Mar

Dora Macleod

Kames Lasses

Inverary Castle

Reels

Charlie's Welcome

Bessie MacIntyre

Buntata 's Sgadan

Irish Traditional Reel

Pipe Major Calum Campbell

The Grey Bob

Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree

Sandy Cameron

Sleepy Maggie

The Man from Glengarry

Slow Airs/ Gaelic Airs

An Ataireachd Ard

The Dark Island

Chi Mi Na Morbheanna

My Home

Orab Mor Macleod

The Skye Boat Song

Samantha's Lullaby

Home to the Kyles

Banks of Loch Eil

The Water is Wide

Flowers of The Forrest

Amazing Grace

Highland Cathedral

Auld Lang Syne

Skye Boat Song

Jigs

Kenny MacDonald

The Braes of Melinish

Alan Macpherson of Mosspark

The Curlew

Donald Maclennan's Tuning Phrase

Kenny Gillies of Portnalong, Skye

Paddy’s Leather Breeches

Glasgow City Police Pipers

Scarce of Tatties

Hornpipes

Caberfeidh (March, Strathspey & Reel version)

Train Journey North

Raigmore

Calum Beag

The Clumsy Lover

Mozart on the Rampage

Itchy Fingers

Angus John's Fancy

The Walrus

Calum Campbell's Fancy

Donald Macleod

The Man from Skye

Mr Jack

The Scotsair Hornpipe

Touchin Cloth

Piobaireachds

MacCrimmon's Sweetheart

Macleods' Salute

I’ve been playing the bagpipes for 19 years so this is a selection of my tunes (the ones I can remember!) if you’d like a specific song please just ask and I’ll do my best to accommodate

John's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£100
Up to 1 hour	£187.50
Up to 2 hours	£250
Up to 3 hours	£300

Drinks reception

A performance of up to 60 mins each during your drinks reception

£150

Wedding ceremony

This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.

£175

Burns Supper

Pipe Guests into Dinner Pipe in Haggis 15 minute recital after dinner

£200

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

What’s not to love about the bagpipes?! Some of my Clients have commented on my bagpipes and the way I dress. My pipes are hand engraved Sterling silver with imitation ivory- save the elephants! I like to dress smart wearing a kilt! I’ve never played at a formal performance wearing trousers!! I have 2 different kilts I wear and take pride in dressing smart

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

St Paul’s Cathedral In London is definitely up there! Various places around Glasgow and the west include: Cottiers Theatre Oran Mor St Andrews Cathedral Trades Hall Of Glasgow Glasgow University Chapel Boclair House Hotel Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

My Great Grandfather was a piper in the Second World War for the Scots GuardsI grew up listening to my grandpa tell stories about his piping successes. It’s what inspired me to take up the bagpipes at a young age and continue to play them to this day!

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I’ve played as part of a pipe band at the world pipe band championships but the most high profile gig must have been when I played for the Hollywood film Maid of Honour with Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan. The were really nice people and Patrick Dempsey was happy to listen to me drone on about Grey’s Anatomy!!

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

Contact me as soon as possible to let me know and I’ll do my best to see if I’m available on the new times!

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

As I am a bagpiper unfortunately I don’t provide a DJ service. You probably wouldn’t want to hear my playlists anyway!!

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually arrive at the venue around 15-30minutes before the arranged start time. I like to keep myself right and have a bit of time to tune up beforehand!

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Feel free to have a look at my songs list. I can play a huge variety of traditional Scottish songs if there’s some not on that list, contact me and I’ll do my best to accommodate your preferences!

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes. Myself and my bagpipes. They’re loud enough so you don’t need anything else!

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

I can learn specific pieces as long as it’s possible on the bagpipes; they are only nine notes in a fixed key that’s close to B flat. Each song varies depending on practice times. A fee of £30 in order to cover rehearsal costs would have to be added to cover this service.

Musicianship

Genres:

Scottish music, Military, Traditional Scottish folk, Film / TV music

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Instruments:

Bagpipes, Tin whistle

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Event types:

Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Virtual event

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Other skills:

Instrumental teaching

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