Bagpiper

Mybagpiper Kenneth McBride

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About Mybagpiper

Mybagpiper is a Full Time Professional offering Bagpiping Services for any Event. Guaranteed Quality and Reliability.
Bagpiper
Prestonpans
Public liability insurance of £1 million
Verified profile

My name is Kenneth McBride and I started MyBagpiper in order to provide high quality, reliable and professional performers for weddings, funerals and events. I have over 45 years experience playing the bagpipes as both a soloist and in pipe bands at Grade 1 level. The bands I have been a member of include Monktonhall Colliery, Prestonpans Royal British Legion, Scottish Gas Caledonia, Lothian and Borders Police and Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia. During my 23 years with Lothian and Borders Police I served as both Pipe Sergeant and Pipe Major for a number of years. I also served as Secretary which meant dealing with the day to day running of the band such as organising events, uniforms, travel and accommodation services for all the band. Throughout my time I have played at an innumerable number of weddings, Burns Supper, funerals, corporate and high profile engagements including – Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh and Australia, The Pope’s Christmas concert in the Vatican, Moulin Rouge in Paris, numerous tattoos in Germany, France, Denmark, Spain, USA, Canada, Australia and Scottish/Music festivals in Russia, Italy, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Sardinia and Belgium. I am the resident piper for the MacDonald Marine Hotel and Scottish Evening Show at the Royal Scots Club. Myself and three of my colleagues also perform as part of a Scottish Show on board some of the cruise ships. I regularly play for the Royal Company of Archers and during these performances have performed for Royalty including HM Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Princess Anne. I am currently a member of the Piper’s Trail Pipe Band which performed at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (2017 and 2018), Düsseldorf Military Tattoo (2017 & 2018) and British open day in Prague (2018) Lastly I am a member of the Eagle Pipers Society which meets every 2nd Tuesday in the Scots Guards Club in Edinburgh, so if you want a chat or hear me play contact me and I’ll arrange a time and date. Hope to hear from you soon.

Encore badges
Lightning fast responses
Average response time under 2 hours
25 gigs
Pro: 25 bookings through Encore
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
5th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 5 years
Member of the Encore community forum
Musicianship
Genres:
Scottish music, Marching, Military, Ceilidh, Folk, Traditional Scottish folk
See all genres
Instruments:
See all instruments
Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Perfect pitch, Arranger, Instrumental teaching, Repetiteur, Fluent improviser
See all skills

Mybagpiper's Song list

Any bagpipe tunes plus modern/contemporary tunes which are capable of being played on the bagpipes.
Popular tunes include
Weddings -
Highland Cathedral,
Can you see the love tonight,
The Rose,
Mhari’s Wedding,
Braveheart,
Love of a Princess,
Scotland the Brave,
Caledonia,
Tiree Bridal Song etc
Events -
quick marches, hornpipes, reels and jigs etc.
Burns Supper -
A man’s a man for a’ that,
My love she’s but a lassie yet,
ye banks and braces,
Auld Lang syne,
Corn Riggs etc.
Funeral -
Flowers of the Forest,
Dark Isle,
Over the see to Skye,
Sleeping Tune etc.
Customer questions

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

I am always flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change in the run up to the event just let me know. I’ll call 1 week to finalise times etc but if they do change on the day of the event I will oblige and adjust the timings.

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

Not required.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually arrive 30 minutes before the start time just to do a quick recce of the venue. I only need 2 minutes to ensure the bagpipes are in perfect tune.

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

I can play hundreds of tunes which include all the usual and well known traditional and contemporary tunes. I will be able to play any tunes as long as it is compatible with the bagpipes. I am always happy to discuss what is required to ensure you have a fantastic event and if needed can advise of specific tunes and sets.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, absolutely! I bring my own bagpipes which are silver mounted.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

I will be able to play any tune as long as it is compatible with the bagpipes. If I have to learn any special tune I am happy to do this at no extra cost.

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Choice of uniform - Full Highland uniform with feather bonnet or kilt, jacket and shirt and tie. Choice of tunes. Flexibility, reliability and quality.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo, Moulin Rouge, Roman Baths, Hundreds more, too numerous to mention.

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

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Moulin Rouge.

Mybagpiper's Prices

Last updated: 2024

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£187.50
Up to 1 hour£218.75
Up to 2 hours£250
Up to 3 hours£281.25
Packages
Funeral
Playing as mourners enter the service, Arrival of the hearse and playing to resting place, Lowering of the coffin.
£150
Wedding ceremony
Pipe for - groom and guests arriving and entering the venue, arrival of the bride, bride up the aisle, background music during signing of the register, bride and groom back down the aisle and as guests leave the ceremony.
£165
Burns Supper or St Andrew’s Night
Pipe for the following - Guests entering venue, Guets into dinner, Pipe the haggis in, “address the haggis”, pipe the haggis out.
£175
Wedding Ceremony and Dinner
Pipe for - Groom and guests arriving for ceremony. Arrival of Bride. Bride up the aisle, Background music during signing of register. Bride and groom back down aisle followed by guests. Guests into dinner. Bride and groom to top table.
£200
Mybagpiper
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5 out of 5
25 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Mybagpiper's Reviews

From Encore customers:

SC
Sophie C
8 months ago
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5 out of 5

Fantastic Dougie- thank you so much for stepping in!

SM
Sophie M
8 months ago
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5 out of 5

Excellent, would definitely recommend!

Reply from Mybagpiper
8 months ago

Thank you for your kind comments

KK
Kris K
8 months ago
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5 out of 5

Wonderful experience calling me up when I booked and again the week of the wedding. Clear and concise comms and excellent playing. Thanks, Kenny

Reply from Mybagpiper
8 months ago

Thank you for your kind comments

YM
Yuiry M
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

Kenny was absolutely amazing. Good communication and piping on the day! Outstanding!!!!

Read all 14 reviews

From other customers:

SF
Sioned F
4 years ago, for a Wedding in Nackington Rd
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5 out of 5

We just wanted to message and say thank you so much for playing on the day. The tunes sounded brilliant and we were so pleased with how it all turned out. Thanks as well for being so professional and adding that extra special element to our big day. Best wishes for a happy and prosperous new year! Mr and Mrs Brown

NE
Nicola E
4 years ago, for a Wedding in 1 Gelvan Moor Rd
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5 out of 5

I just wanted to say a very BIG thank you for doing such a wonderful job piping at our wedding on Saturday at Tullibole Castle. We really couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day. What a professional you are! You looked terrific in your choice of outfit, we loved your choice of tunes you played and you really did do us proud. Everyone was Raving about how charming and nice you were I’m just sorry we didn’t get to speak with you more. Five star service from the point of booking and on the day! Thank you so much. Best wishes Finlay & Nicola MacPherson

Read all 53 reviews