Matthew McRae

Services offered:- Weddings, Corporate, Media, Birthdays, Funerals, Burns' Suppers and Other Events of your choosing. Matthew has been playing The Great Highland Bagpipe for over 27 Years. Taught by his Father George at an early age, Matthew soon became a highly regarded and established Highland Piper within the piping community. Crowds of all sizes have been mesmerised by the majestic moments that Matthew has created for their special occasions. His delightful sound has been heard in some of the most prestigious and well known venues across the UK. Audiences in the Royal Albert Hall, Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, Soho House, Mosimann’s and even the Great British Pullman steam train have been enchanted by his historic Scotia sounds. Testament to his professionalism and quality that each performance exudes, Matthew has been in demand by famous brands such as Walkers Crisps, Sony, Panasonic, Burberry and William Grant & Sons whisky distillery. Matthew has also appeared on a range of well-known TV and Radio programmes: Chris Evan's Breakfast Show (BBC Radio 2); Absolute Radio; Made in Chelsea and The Last Leg. He has also been enrolled as a session musician with the pop band Right Said Fred. Most notably Matthew has performed live with the world renown Irish folk band The Chieftains and along side the international multi-platinum selling classical crossover group Il Divo. Matthew is an accomplished skilled professional, highly versatile and flexible in his approach. He always works with his clients to ensure that every performance delivers the right impact for the intended audience. Don’t let your event be spoiled by bad sounding bagpipes. Book Matthew with confidence now. Media:- Matthew has appeared on a range of well-known TV, Film and Radio programmes: Chris Evan’s Breakfast Show (BBC Radio 2); Absolute Radio; Made in Chelsea, The Last Leg and most recently, The King’s Man, directed by Matthew Vaughn. He has also been enrolled as a session musician with the pop band Right Said Fred. Most notably Matthew has performed live with the world renown Irish folk band The Chieftains and along side the international multi-platinum selling classical crossover group Il Divo. Corporate:- Matthew has been in demand by famous brands such as Walkers Crisps, Sony, Panasonic, Burberry, Dewar's, Belmond, and William Grant & Sons whisky distillery. Band Involvement:- Matthew has always been closely affiliated with the pipe band fraternity playing with a total of four bands to-date. The first was in 1995 called the Southend Scottish Pipe Band, then after disbanding in 2002 Matthew joined the Sutherland Pipes & Drums based in Corringham, where he has played in many festivals, fetes, military tattoos, remembrance parades and Christmas celebrations. Deciding to progress his piping onto the next level, in 2012 Matthew joined Essex Caledonian Pipe Band. Being a grade 4 competition band, Matthew competed up and down the country, and internationally, including the quartets, mini bands and Jim McGuinn memorial contest in the South-east of England, the local Scotland in Colchester Competition, the Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon and the Scottish Weekend Competition in Belgium. Results across all competitions were very positive, picking up 1st, 2nd or 3rd place honours. Matthew is now playing, and soon to be competing with the City of London Pipe Band who play at a grade 2 level.