Bagpipers available to hire in County Down
Latest reviews of our Bagpipers in County Down
"Colin was absolutely amazing from start to finish he made our wedding at Beamish Hall perfect even though it had to be indoors as it was raining, thank you Colin from Mr & Mrs Gettings"
Jacqueline hired Colin Sutherland for a Wedding (available in County Down)
"We booked Rob & Dillon (Drummer) as a surprise for our Son's wedding celebrations. They were everything we could have asked for ! They arrived early and were happy to wait when we encountered some delay. Their performance was absolutely wonderful and delivered the surprise so perfectly. We will be certain to book Rob again as soon as we have the opportunity. Thank you both for adding to a very special day, we couldn't have asked for it to go any better. Tarnia & Jim"
Tarnia hired Rob Muir for a Wedding (available in County Down)
"Cannot say enough great things about the job Gary did. He did a fantastic job piping for our wedding, was very friendly and reassuring on the day, and impressed all our guests. Absolutely perfect job! Couldn't be happier. "
Iain hired Gary Thomson for a Wedding (available in County Down)
FAQs about hiring Bagpipers in County Down
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Can any bagpiper play my favourite song?
Professional bagpipers will often take requests, but you will need to give them plenty of notice. Please also keep in mind that bagpipers may ask for an small additional fee to prepare songs that aren't already on their song list. You can view the bagpiper's song list on their Encore profile.
How much time do bagpipers take to set up?
Your bagpiper will usually arrive about an hour or so before their performance begins to set up and get settled before they start playing. To avoid any delays, make sure the performance space is ready for the bagpiper prior to their arrival.
My venue has asked for the performer’s PLI & PAT inspection certificates. What are these?
PLI stands for Public Liability Insurance. This insurance covers damage to another person or their property (it is also known as third party insurance). As many of our bagpipers are members of the Musician's Union, they are already covered by PLI up to £10 million. PAT stands for portable appliance testing. Most of our bagpipers will already have a PAT inspection certificate for their musical equipment/PA system, which they can provide to your venue if they need it.
What are some traditional bagpipe songs?
Some traditional bagpipe songs include "Scotland the Brave", "Highland Cathedral", "Flower of Scotland", "Amazing Grace", "The Skye Boat Song", and "Auld Lang Syne". The bagpipes are ideal for weddings and funerals.
Do bagpipers wear traditional Scottish dress?
Most professional bagpipers perform in full Highland dress, including kilt, sporran, jacket, and glengarry or feather bonnet, unless requested otherwise.
How long does a bagpiper usually perform for?
A typical bagpiper set lasts between 15–60 minutes, though many offer multiple performances throughout the day depending on your event needs.
Hiring a Bagpiper in County Down
Useful information
Bagpipers in County Down typically play Scottish music, Traditional Scottish folk, and most respond to enquiries within 8 hours. Demand peaks in January, March, September, so if your event falls in that window, it's worth getting in touch early to secure your preferred act.
How much does it cost to hire a Bagpiper in County Down?
Prices for Bagpipers vary depending on experience, set length, and the size of the act. As a guide, budget Bagpipers typically charge around £180 per booking, mid-range acts around £240, and high-end Bagpipers from £300 per booking upwards.
A guide to hiring Bagpipers
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This page was created by the Encore team using data from 2679 bookings and 1645 verified reviews across the UK.
Last updated: 17 May 2026
