Bagpiper

Paul Boness

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(5.0)Read all 32 reviews
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About Paul

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

Encore badges
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
3rd most booked musician of 2021!
Top 10 booked musician of 2022
7th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years
50 gigs
Veteran: 50 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Military, Folk rock, Folk, Traditional Scottish folk
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Instruments:
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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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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)
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.

Paul's Prices

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)£188
Up to 1 hour£188
Up to 2 hours£188
Up to 3 hours£188

Add-ons

No. 1 dress
+£50
Paul
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
29 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

Paul's Reviews

From Encore customers:

WL
Will L
1 month ago
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5 out of 5

Paul was great! Thank you

Reply from Paul
1 month ago

Thank you for positive review. I wish you every success with your venture.

BM
Bob M
1 month ago
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5 out of 5

Excellent

Reply from Paul
1 month ago

Thank you for your kind review. It was nice to see your friends and neighbours enjoying themselves and I thought that you organised things very well. Best wishes Paul Boness

KW
Kelly W
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

Weather wasn't the best for Paul to play but he did what he could and was amazing thankyou for playing in the pouring rain would highly recommend

Reply from Paul
2 months ago

Thank you for your review and being so understanding about the weather.

HL
Hannah L
4 months ago
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5 out of 5

Paul really made our wedding day, he was absolutely brilliant. Would highly recommend!

Reply from Paul
4 months ago

Thank you for your kind review! Best wishes Paul Boness

Read all 24 reviews

From other customers:

MS
Mandeep S
9 months ago, for a Birthday party in B43 6QU
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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

EB
Euan B
11 months ago, for a Wedding in GL55 6LJ
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5 out of 5

We just wanted to say thanks before we head off on honeymoon for your playing at our wedding on Saturday. It was exactly what we wanted and really added to the day. The Scottish family and friends were very pleased and playing us into the top table was great.

Read all 8 reviews