Bagpiper

James Meiklejohn

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(5.0)Read all 38 reviews
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About James

I am a bagpipe player originally from Edinburgh but now living in Cardiff, and play at all kinds of traditional and contemporary events.
Bagpiper
Cardiff
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

I grew up in Edinburgh and played in a school pipe band, and, on moving down South for University, kept in touch with piping by playing for the Stockbridge Pipe Band in Edinburgh. When I moved to London, I joined the City of London Pipe Band: a fairly new organisation looking to raise the standard of piping in London. I now compete in band and solo competitions at a high level, and still receive tutoring from one of the world's top players to develop my playing further. As well as playing in competitions, I now play at lots of other public and private events, including weddings, birthday parties, Burns nights, corporate events, funerals, and ceremonies. I've also played at ceilidhs for dancers and always find a party on New Years Eve!

James
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5 out of 5
38 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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4.9

James' Reviews

From Encore customers:

JJ
Jen J
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

James played an incredibly important role at our Dads funeral, skilfully and impressively piping the funeral cortège both in and out of the celebration of life service. We can’t thank him enough for the compassion he showed to our situation and how flexible he was to our requests. Thank you James!

CF
Ciaran F
4 months ago
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5 out of 5

Absolutely brilliant. Excellent performance and really helpful, flexible and chilled

CP
Cameron P
4 months ago
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5 out of 5

Absolutely first class. We hired James for our wedding for when guests were arriving. This went down a hit with positive comments from guests, suppliers and the venue itself. James was very attentive on emails and was so easy to deal with. James was also able to play the songs requested which made the day all the more special. Would recommend James to anyone looking for a piper in the South Wales/West Midlands area

DB
Daniel B
5 months ago
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5 out of 5

Could not recommend this fine gentleman anymore! Absolutely perfect from start to finish, whether that be with communication, interaction with the guests to the sheer amazement of his skill. Was definitely a moment to remember for all the family and friends and cannot thank you enough 👏

Read all 31 reviews

From other customers:

CF
C F
3 years ago, for a Wedding in Bury St Edmunds
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5 out of 5

Thank you so much you were absolutely fantastic, the guests loved you and even the florist said you made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up when you started to play.

LH
Laura H
3 years ago, for a Wedding in Bishop's Waltham
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5 out of 5

Honestly, thank you so much. You were such a fab addition, and it felt so special to be piped in for arrival and out. I loved it and so many people commented on how great you were.

Read all 7 reviews
Encore badges
Top 10 booked musician of 2023
Top 10 booked musician of 2021
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Average response time under 2 hours
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
Member of the Encore community forum

James' Song list

-- Traditional and popular tunes --
Scotland the Brave
Highland Cathedral
Amazing Grace
Flower of Scotland
Auld Lang Syne
-- Slow airs and memorial songs --
Auld Lang Syne
Hector the Hero
Air in B Minor
The Old Churchyard
The Music Man
The Water is Wide
Hector the Hero
Setting a Course for Lewis / Togail Curs Air Leodhas
Time to Say Goodbye
You Raise Me Up
Last of the Mohicans
Going Home
The Music Man
Old 100th
All People that on Earth do Dwell
Calon Lan
Flowers of the Forest
I Will Return Home to Kintail
Erin’s Green Shore
Dances with Wolves theme
-- Marches --
Braes of Castle Grant
Dr Angus Macdonald
Bruce Gandy's Farewell to the Iron Horse
Highland Wedding
Donald Maclennan of Rothesay
John Macdonald of Glencoe
Rowan Tree
Flett from Flotta
Wee Michael's March
The Young MacGregor
When the Battle's Over
Dawning of the Day
The Rowan Tree
The Black Bear
The Glenfinnan Highland Gathering
The Young MacGregor
Fields of Flanders
Shoals of Herring
Castle Dangerous
Minstrel Boy
Black Bear
The Heights of Dargai
Battle of the Somme
The Festival March
79ths Farewell to Gibraltar
Edinburgh City Police Pipers
The Green Hills of Tyroll
Highland Laddie
Lochanside
The Minstrel Boy
Grannie Betty's
Landscapes
Meeting of the Waters
-- Hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys and reels --
Tam Bain's Lum
Cosmos Cascade
Inveraray Castle
Edwyn's Didji Place
Jimmy's Gift
The High Drive (Jig)
The High Drive (Reel)
Wee Gordon's Brig o'Doon Phrase
Rhonda Blair
Jig of Slurs
Dora Macleod
The Smith of Chilliechassie
John Morrison of Assynt House
Mrs MacPherson of Inveran
The Fiddler's Rally
The Soup Dragon
The Dirty Lough
The Pitlochry High School Centenary
Glasgow City Police Pipers
Lord McConnell
The Emancipation Break
Up to the Line
The Waterhole
Crossing the Minch
-- National anthems and celebratory songs --
Flower of Scotland
Bread of Heaven
Ireland's Call
Land of My Fathers
God Save the Queen
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Calon Lan
-- Modern Songs --
500 miles
Road to the Isles
Flower of Scotland
Here Comes the Sun
Wake Me Up
Star Wars Theme
Happy Birthday
Clocks
Anti-hero
Love Story
I'm a Man You Don't Meet Everyday
-- Hyms --
Old Hundredth
Bread of Heaven
Amazing Grace
-- Raising a Toast --
Wedding toast
Birthday toast
Introduction to Robbie Burns' Life
--Burns poems--
Address to a Haggis
Selkirk Grace
Tae a mouse

James' Prices

Last updated: 2024

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)£175
Up to 1 hour£200
Up to 2 hours£245
Up to 3 hours£295
Packages
Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£220
Drinks reception
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception
£280
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner
- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.
£330
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

I always make an effort to look as smart as possible, and play tunes everyone will enjoy!

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Edinburgh Usher Hall, KKL Luzern Concert Hall, Annabelles, ARM headquarters

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, Beolach, Inveraray and District Pipe Band

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

Playing in front of thousands of people at the KKL Concert Hall in Lucerne.

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

I'll do my best to accommodate the changes, just please let me know as early as possible!

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

Yes, I can put together a playlist of other bagpipe or traditional Scottish music.

How much time do you need to set up?

I like to see the venue around an hour before playing, but only need around 20 minutes to tune up - ideally somewhere a similar temperature to the venue itself.

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

Yes, please let me know what you'd like or just any preferences for tunes.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, there is no need for amplification of any kind with the bagpipes!

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes, please just get in touch, anything I don't know already I can learn in a few days for you.
Musicianship
Genres:
Scottish music, Ceilidh, Traditional Scottish folk, Traditional Irish folk, Christmas, Military, Marching, World music, Folk
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Theatre / Show, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Virtual event, Cruise
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Other skills:
Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching
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