Hire Paul Boness | Bagpiper in Stratford-upon-Avon

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From£188

1 hour

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Piping at a wedding

Paul playing on German TV

Piping for the Flying Scotsman

About Paul

Paul is a piper with over 50 years' experience. He will travel anywhere, and speaks fluent French and German.

3 of 5 photos

Bagpiper

Stratford-upon-Avon

Verified profile

Paul has been playing the pipes since 1972, both with bands and as a soloist. He has played in the British Airways Pipe Band and appeared with several military bands, on the German TV channels ZDF and RTL, on various radio programs and with André Rieu's world-famous Johann Strauss Orchestra (see video). He speaks fluent French and German, with a smattering of Russian and Japanese. He will travel anywhere in the UK or abroad, even at short notice. In addition to playing the Highland pipes, he performs with folk trio Tobias, in which he plays the small pipes.

Paul

5 out of 5

35 verified reviews

Satisfaction

4.9

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

5.0

Punctuality

5.0

Paul's Reviews

5 out of 5

We booked Paul for our wedding playing before and after the ceremony. Couldn't be happier with his professionalism and his bagpiping - our guests loved it and it was a perfect way to start our day.

Reply from Paul

1 month ago

Thank you for your kind review! Paul

5 out of 5

Superb playing with comprehensive and versatile repertoire .

5 out of 5

My mother was thrilled to bits with Paul at her surprise birthday party. He arrived in plenty of time and played the tunes we requested from him. Would definitely recommend Paul and would like to thank him for helping to make my Mum's 90 th birthday party a success

Reply from Paul

5 months ago

Thank you for your kind review. Best wishes Paul Boness

4 out of 5

Paul was excellent but not having the full dress outfit really disappointed the wedding party. Encore really should have double checked this. Agencies should have some accountability.

Read all 29 reviews

5 out of 5

I wanted to honour Jim's amazing life, as much for his Scottish family as for us - his English family. You were exceptional and we really appreciated the time you took in playing before the funeral as well as at the end. For me it made the day so special and I know Jim would have loved it. So many people were touched by your playing and said how memorable it made the service.

5 out of 5

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for making my mom’s birthday so amazing. You were fabulous she enjoyed it thoroughly!!!! Thank you

Read all 9 reviews

Encore badges

3rd most booked musician of 2021!

Top 10 booked musician of 2023

Top 10 booked musician of 2022

50 gigs

Veteran: 50 bookings through Encore

Saved the day!

Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice

7th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years

Paul's Song list

Paul has a large repertoire and the tunes he plays are listed on this page. However, he will always consider special requests.

Marches - 2/4 time

79th's Farewell to Gibraltar

A Man's a Man

Australian Ladies

Captain (Major) Norman Orr Ewing

Conundrum

Corriechoillie

Donald Cameron

Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban

Dundee Military Tattoo

Father John MacMillan of Barra

Glen Caladh Castle

Haughs of Cromdale

High Road to Gairloch

Highland Laddie

Jeannie Carruthers

Jenny's Bawbee

Liberton Polka

Marie's Wedding

Mrs H L MacDonald of Dunach

My Love is But a Lassie Yet

P/M Willie Gray's Farewell to the Glasgow City Police

Piper's Cave

Siege of Delhi

Sprig of Ivy

Teribus

Retreats - 3/4 time

Argylls Crossing the Po

Colin’s Cattle

Green Hills of Tyrol (The Scottish Soldier)

Highland Brigade at Magersfontein

Lochanside

Major B.M. Wilson

When the Battle is Over

Marches - 6/8 Time

10th HLI Crossing the Rhire

Ben Gullion

Bonnie Dundee

Cock of the North

Farewell to the Creeks

Heights of Cassino

Mucking of Geordie's Byre

P/M Donald Maclean of Lewis

Pibroch of Donald Dubh

Rab's Wedding

St. Patrick's Day

Steamboat (Hills of Caithness)

Tug Argan Gap

Retreats - 9/8 time

Battle of the Somme

Heights of Dargai

Marches - 4/4 time

1976 Police Tattoo

Black Bear

Children's March

Helen Black of Inveran

Lord Lovat's Lament (not a lament, despite the title!)

MacPhail of Bunessan

Murdo's Wedding

Music of Spey

Old Rustic Bridge

Princess Anne's Welcome

Rowan Tree

Scotland the Brave

Slopes of Mount Tumbledown

Wings

Hornpipes

Crossing the Minch

Itchy Fingers

Liverpool Hornpipe

Man from Skye

Moving Cloud

St Joseph's Hornpipe

Train Journey North

Strathspeys

A. A. Cameron's

Arniston Castle

Caledonian Canal

Captain Horne

Keel Row

Maggie Cameron

Munlochy Bridge

Orange and Blue

Rose Amongst the Heather

Susan MacCleod

Jigs

Banjo Breakdown

Banks of the Allan

Cork Hill

Drops of Brandy

Glasgow Police Pipers

Paddy's Leather Breeches

Scarce o'Tatties

Troy's Wedding

Reels

Ale is dear

Colonel MacCleod

Conway's Farewell

Dancing feet

Devil among the tailors

Fairy Dance

High Road to Linton

Jenny Dang the Weaver

Jock Wilson's Ball

Kate Dalrymple

Kilt is my delight

Little Cascade

Merry Boys of Greenland

Miss Girdle

Over the Isles to America

Piper of Drummond

Quaker's Reel

Reel of Tulloch

Sandy Cameron

Sleepy Maggie

Tail toddle

Slow marches, airs and laments

Amazing Grace

Endearing Young Charms (My Lodging's on the Cold Hard Ground)

Flowers of the Forest (lament)

Highland Cathedral

Lindisfarne

Lochaber No More (lament)

Loch Rannoch

MacRobert's Lament (Flight of the Eagrets) (lament)

Mist Covered Mountains

Morag of Dunvegan

Mrs Hamilton of Pitcaithlands

Scots Wha Hae

Skye Boat Song

Sleep, Dearie, Sleep (lament)

Paul's Prices

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

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£188
Up to 1 hour	£188
Up to 2 hours	£188
Up to 3 hours	£188

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

My sobriety, smartness and punctuality.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Simpsons in the Strand, Birmingham Symphony Hall.

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

Playing with top military bands at Birmingham Symphony Hall.

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

I make every effort to accommodate changes in timings.

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

No.

How much time do you need to set up?

Usually no more than 30 minutes, although I always try to arrive at least an hour before I am due to play.

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

Yes. The tunes I play are listed on this site and I am always ready to consider special requests.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes. I do not use PA: I play acoustically.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes, I always try, if I am given plenty of notice.

Musicianship

Genres:

Military, Folk rock, Folk, Traditional Scottish folk

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Instruments:

Bagpipes

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Event types:

Wedding, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Concert, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, New Year's Eve

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Other skills:

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