Burns Night is a time-honoured Scottish celebration honouring the life and works of Robert Burns, the “Bard of Ayrshire.” This festive occasion is marked by traditional Scottish fare, including haggis, neeps, and tatties, as well as lively music and poetry readings. And what better way to add a touch of authenticity to your Burns Night celebration than by hiring a bagpiper to serenade your guests? Encore Musicians will provide top expert tips on hiring a bagpiper for Burns Night, as well as, a curated playlist of bagpipe music for Burns Night.
What should I look for when hiring a bagpiper for Burns Night?
When hiring a bagpiper for Burns Night, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Experience: The piper should have experience playing for Burns Night events and be familiar with Scottish traditional music.
- Repertoire: The piper should have a repertoire of Burns songs and traditional Scottish tunes.
- Cost: Get quotes from several pipers to compare prices.
- Availability: Book the piper well in advance, especially if you are planning a large event.
What attire will the bagpiper wear?
Traditionally, a bagpiper will wear a kilt, a McKenzie tartan jacket, a sporran, a sgian dubh (a small dagger), a Glengarry cap, and ghillies brogues. However, some pipers may be willing to wear a different attire to suit the event.
Will the bagpiper provide amplification?
Bagpipes are very loud by design so often don’t need amplification and some bagpipers prefer to play without amplification as they prefer to hear the natural sound of the instrument.
However, amplification is sometimes provided by bagpipers during their performances if the venue is very large or there is a lot of background noise.
Will the bagpiper play any special requests for my event?
Most bagpipers are happy to play special requests for their clients, just be sure to discuss this with them beforehand as some songs aren’t possible to be played on the bagpipes due to the range of the instrument.
Do the bagpipers have any experience playing for specific types of Burns Night events?
Our professional bagpipers have years of experience but some bagpipers will have more experience playing for certain types of Burns Night events, such as formal dinners, large parties, or casual gatherings. It is helpful to ask the bagpiper about their experience in this area. For example, a lot of pipers can take part in “addressing the haggis”, but it varies from piper to piper.
What is the average price of a bagpiper?
For most events, it costs £160–£300 to hire a bagpiper, depending on several factors (experience, distance, duration of the performance, time of year). Here are the typical prices for different performance durations (including breaks):
- 1 hour of playing: £160-£230
- 2 hours of playing: £200-£270
- Over 2 hours of playing: £230-£300+
For peak times such as Burns Night and NYE, bagpiper hire fees are definitely higher so please take that into consideration.
How do I handle contracts and payments?
With Encore, booking agreements can be handled easily. As one of the top bagpiper providers in the UK, we recently booked bagpipers on every leg of Rod Stewart’s UK tour! Our booking process is extremely straightforward, and once a booking has been confirmed, booking agreements will be handled painlessly and effortlessly through our secure payment system.
Bagpipe Music for Burns Night
Here are some traditional bagpiper songs that are often played for Burns Night celebrations:
* Auld Lang Syne: This iconic Scottish folk song is a must-play for any Burns Night gathering. It is often sung at the end of the evening to bid farewell to guests.
* Brose and Butter: This lively tune is traditionally played to welcome guests to the Burns Night feast.
* A Man’s a Man for A’ That: This stirring song is often played as the haggis is brought into the hall.
* The Lea Rig: This romantic ballad is a popular choice for Burns Night performances.
* MacPherson’s Rant: This energetic tune is sure to get the feet tapping.
* Killiecrankie: This stirring march is often played to commemorate the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.
* Rantin’ Rovin’ Robin: This lively folk song is a celebration of Scottish traditions and a popular choice for Burns Night gatherings.
* Ye Jacobites By Name: This stirring song is a traditional anthem of the Jacobite rebellions.
* The Star o’ Rabbie Burns: This beautiful ballad is a tribute to Robert Burns himself and celebrates his legacy as a poet and a national hero.
* Highland Laddie: This lively and upbeat tune is a classic for Burns Night celebrations.
* Farewell to Strathspey: This mournful and nostalgic tune is often played as a tribute to those who have passed away.
* Cock o’ the North: This spirited march is a celebration of Scottish pride and courage.
* The Cabarfeidh: This lively and energetic tune is often played during the dancing portion of the Burns Night festivities.
* The Bonnie Wee Clachan: This charming and nostalgic tune is often played to commemorate the small villages and communities of Scotland.
By playing traditional bagpipe music for Burns Night, you can add a touch of authenticity to your celebration. The soulful melodies and stirring rhythms will transport your guests to the heart of Scottish culture and heritage.
Final thoughts
Burns Night is a time to celebrate Scottish culture, history, and the legacy of Robert Burns. By incorporating traditional bagpiper music for Burns Night celebration, you can create an unforgettable experience for your guests.
Hopefully, this guide answers all of your questions! If you have more questions about bagpipers, email us at [email protected] and we’d be more than happy to help.
Alternatively, to make your bagpiper hire super simple, just click here all the bagpiper players for hire on Encore and find the perfect bagpiper for your event.