Bagpiper
John Gillies
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1 hour
Watch & Listen
1-3 of 3 videos
4/4 Marches
Piping the Bride and Groom into the diner
Slow Airs & Jigs
John in action
About John
An experienced, professional and punctual piper for every occasion.
3 of 16 photos
Bagpiper
Glasgow
Verified profile
John
1 verified review
John's Reviews
From customers:
CM
Chris M
6 years ago, for a Wedding in St. Paul's Churchyard
J&
Javier F
7 years ago
Encore badges
4th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 4 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
Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.
Standard Prices
| Performance duration | Price | |
| Short performance (up to 15 min) | £100 | |
| Up to 1 hour | £200 | |
| Up to 2 hours | £250 | |
| Up to 3 hours | £300 |
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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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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