I have been playing the bagpipes for over 30 years and started when I was 9 years old. I have had the privilege to travel all over the world and play at many events and functions. I take great pride in the standard of my turnout and playing and believe that I must always strive to deliver my absolute best at all times, my playing at your event becomes part of your memories and I can't afford to supply a bad memory for my clients.
Where it all began!
I had wanted to learn the bagpipes from the age of 6 and finally got to start learning the bagpipes at 9 years old with a local band. It was here that I was taught the basics and developed my passion for the Great Highland Bagpipe. I spent many happy years with this band learning my craft and travelling around the country to play with the band. At the age of 17, I decided to join the army and I became a member of the world famous pipes and drums of the 1st Battalion The Black Watch.
What came next?
During my time in the army I was lucky enough to travel all over the world playing with the band as well doing my day job as a soldier. I was extremely lucky to have chosen one of the army's premier pipe bands to serve with and recieved world class instruction from them which further developed my skills and abilities. As an army piper I was chosen to take part in many high profile events, the highlights of those events would be playing for the Royal family and various other international heads of state at official functions, the Edinburgh military tattoo, North American tour and the hand over of Hong Kong to name but a few. During my time as an Army piper I passed the class 1 pipers course which was a pre requisit for being put forward for the army Pipe Majors course. Being an army piper in one of the worlds premier proffesional pipe bands gave me an excellent grounding in performing at many types of events and I believe my experience allows me to provide my clients with an unrivalled service.
After the army.
After leaving the army, I returned to the band that had taught me and very soon after I was asked to be their pipe major. The band had suffered over the years and was not in a healthy state, we set to work to rebuild the band. Over the next few years I strted to teach new pipers and the membership grew steadily and we managed to get the band back on the competition field. I have played at most of the official major championships, including the World pipe band championships, the European championships and the British championships and was keen to take my band to these events, we managed to attend some of the major championships as well as many local competitions and we were able to pick up aprize or two along the way. As well as playing in competition with the band, I also attended local solo piping competitions and was lucky enough to have held the North West England solo piping championship. Afterr 8 years with my childhood band, I decided a change was required and was asked to teach a local cadet band, some of my cadets went on to play at high profile events themselves and some even followed in my footsteps to take up a piping career in the armed forces. Shortly after getting involoved with the cadets I was invited to be Pipe Major of another well known local band, although I am no longer the Pipe Major of that band, I still take an active part in the teaching and direction of the band.
My experiences from the age of 9 allows me to confidently provide a professional service to any event type. Having experienced this high level of performance, I am able to offer a professional service from the standard of turn out to quality of playing for your event. I pride myself on providing a quality performance every time, I have a number of tartans in both full dress and less formal options. I am confident that whatever the occasion I can provide a performance to suit.
Below is a selection of some of the countries I have visited to play my pipes and some of the high profile events I have taken part in:-
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (1996, 1997, 1998, 2014)
Kenya (1996)
Tour of New Zealand (1997)
Piping for the Normandy veterans on their annual return to France (2012, 2013, 2014)
The Basel Tattoo (2015)
The Berlin Tattoo (2016)
The Malta Military Tattoo (2017)
Tour of North America (1994, 1998)
The Hong Kong Rugby sevens (1996)
The Hand over of Hong Kong (1997)
Kirklees Festival of Remebrance (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2017, 2018)
Contries I have played in:-
All over the UK
America
Canada
Denmark
Germany
Hong Kong
New Zealand
Kenya
Malta
Switzerland
France
We can't thank Andy enough for playing at my Grandads funeral last week. When choosing somebody to book for the funeral it was the positive comments of Andy from other people that led us to booking him and we don't have a single regret. He followed up the quote request with a phonecall and explained everything, answering all the questions we had and he was so helpful and positive, his experience honestly shone through and we booked him the very next day. Andy was great with communications up to the day of the funeral and everything went as planned and smoothly too. Those attending the funeral also commented on how great the bagpiper was and what a special touch he had added to my Grandads send off. Andy was flexible in what music he could play as we asked for 2 Irish songs not on his playlist and he played them beautifully on the day. He was very reassuring about everything and we would definitely highly recommend him to any event you may be considering a bagpiper for, the professionalism was on point. Thanks again Andy for everything. Sammy & family x
Thank you so much for all the effort you put in to making my mum’s funeral so incredibly poignant. You really set the tone and lifted everything imposed by COVID restrictions. It would have been so much more difficult without you ❤️
Absolutely brilliant, would highly recommend was so sorry I couldn't thank him personally.
Andrew Brian - you really made our Aunts 90th by bringing a bit of Scotland to her! Many thanks, MB
Occasion cancelled but rebooked easily with our Piper. Thank you
Playing beautifully at my Dad's funeral - highly recommended
I booked Andy to play at my late husbands funeral this week. From my first enquiry he was professional and helpful at a very sad time for me and my family. He was in constant contact with me suggesting different songs that would be appropriate. I would not hesitate in recommending him.
Was a lovely touch to my dad's funeral service, with meaningful songs which were beautifully played. Thank you!
Andy made my dad's funeral. The bagpiping was sensational and he sent my dad off in style.
Andrew was superb at my mum's recent funeral. Due to covid restrictions we weren't allowed to have him play at the cemetery so he came to her house and led a procession from her home with the hearse. Then got in his car and went to the cemetery where he stood outside the cemetery gates and played. It was very emotional and his playing is second to none. We couldn't give her the send off this very special lady deserved but Andrew definitely helped us to commemorate her wonderful life. I would highly recommend Andrew.
Andrew was a lovely man and communication was great throughout, his arrival was prompt. We had a very special evening surprising a relative. Great price & superb skills on the pipes. Thank you Andrew! Well worth booking!
Very touching, beautiful bagpipes really recommend 100% .
Very pleasant guy, will use him again .
Thankyou
Maria & family.
My family and I booked Andrew to play at a family members funeral. He was outstanding!
Thankyou so much for a perfect performance, I’m sure our dad/grandad/husband would have been looking down with the biggest smile!
Andrew was very good at communicating. He contacted me to discuss a playlist and get details. He arrived early to check out the venue and kept our surprise right till he arrived on the drive already playing. It was fantastic! Our neighbour who is a musician said he was an excellent player. He was very reasonably priced and I would definitely recommend him.
He was very helpful and contacted me straight away. Andrew went through all the details and was there on time and did a good service.
Brilliant. Communication excellent from second i booked. Turned out immaculately and played perfectly. Highly Recommended.
Andy performed at my fathers funeral and was absolutely fantastic, a fitting tribute and just what my Dad requested. Excellent comms and an absolute pleasure to deal with.
Andrew was excellent. He communicated well before the event to discuss song options and the venue. He socially distanced at the venue and played beautifully. We requested Andrew for my father in laws 80th, and everyone was moved to tears. Andrew looked and sounded the part. We would highly recommend Andrew to anyone who wants a piper and would certainly use him again in the future.
Andrew was professional from the first call to turning up on the day of my Dads Funeral. What a guy waiting at the gates for the cars then piped my dad to the crem, then piped the committal. Then piped the guests out of the crem. Could not ask for more. Thank you Andy what a professional you were. Thanks from the family.
Just 100+% satisfied he made that special touch to a soldier.
Andrew was extremely professional and arranged with the funeral directors himself. His performance was exceptional. We all highly recommend him for any occasion. Truly remarkable.
Highly recommend Andrew for events and booking. Competitive pricing also.
Wow, Andrew was fantastic. I booked Andrew for a surprise Retirement party in our garden. He was on time, and he played lots of songs that he thought my husband would like. Everyone that was at our house cried. Such a talented guy. We will be booking him again 100 per cent. Thanks again Andrew.
Andrew played at the funeral of my uncle.
He was amazing.
So helpful when advising me on songs and when to play etc. Travelling a distance to be there, he was punctual and knew exactly what to do.
It was very moving.
Thank you Andrew.
Andy made our wedding anniversary celebration a very special day indeed. We were very moved hearing him play Highland Cathedral so beautifully as we had this at our wedding twenty two years ago. He communicated very well as soon as I made the booking and was very punctual. He looked incredibly smart and dapper and he played the bagpipe absolutely beautifully. It was just perfect. Would highly recommend and can’t wait to find another excuse to book him again.
Andrew is very professional, respectful and a great Piper. I would recommend His services without hesitation
Thank you Andrew
Andrew was excellent at my fathers funeral. Communicated throughout and helped me select the music
Andrew contacted me soon after I placed my request. His response was personal and friendly and he was able to play at short notice as requested.
Despite me giving him the wro g house number, he turned up on time, and played beautifully covering all of my requests. My mum was both moved and delighted and I would have no hesitation in reccomend ING Andy x
On time and was brilliant reccomend him 2 every1 from now on
I can't thank andrew enough he played at my grandads funeral on Christmas eve Andrew was so respectful and his Bagpipe playing abilities are out of this world and you looked so smart in your kilt my grandad would have been so proud to hear you play so amazingly highly recommended 5* and more thanks again Andrew.
Andy was fantastic! Easy to communicate with prior to our wedding, arrived on time in his full attire and played some wonderful tunes as the guests arrived at the church! He then piped me to the entrance of the church playing Highland Cathedral. All the guests loved it too. Thank you so much Andy!!
Fantastic piper, would highly recommend Andrew Paton for your event. he was friendly, helpful and professional, he looked and sounded the part, thank-you!
10/10 The best experience ever everyone said at the Wedding reception how it made the day and how Andy carried on playing on and off through freezing cold weather, he was worth every penny. Wendy
"Great guy just what we wanted,most helpful, superbly presented and very professional!!
No hesitation in recommending Andy"
Thank you Andrew... For making our special day extra special.. Your promptness, playing standard and friendliness were second to none.. We won't forget your contribution to our day.. Best wishes.. Ali and John Hearn
"It made the whole night perfect . There was hardly a dry eye
Thankyou x"
Andrew was excellent, did me and my family proud thank you so much highly recommended
Very pleased with Andy and his performance service. Prompt, precise and courtious. Looked great in the wedding photos in full dressage. Highly recommended.
Excellent. Andrew performed superbly and fulfilled the brief perfectly. WE were very grateful for his excellent playing.
Andrew did an incredible job at our wedding - authentic, easy to work with and superb reliable. Thanks!!
A wonderful Piper. he piped as the courtage walked down .piped into the hall and piped out played favorite tunes so movingly and my brother had always wanted a piper but Andrew Paton exceeded all expectations.A very moving tribute indeed . Thank you .
Andy is the National Piper for the Aden Veterans Association and we are proud to have him play and represent us. He is a great piper and a great guy and with Jen, his wife, is a happy and loving family man. Major Clive Candlin, National Vice Chairman, Aden Veterans Association.
"""At short Notice Andrew played the pipes at a veterans funeral. To say the family, friends and Veterans were overwhelmed was an understatement. Immaculately turned out and the music he played for the family of a late veteran was very apt and note perfect. I would highly recommend Pipe Major Andrew Paton for any event whether it be Funerals, Wedding, Events etc.. Absolutely outstanding....
Regards Deano"""
Andrew thank you so very much for attending my mums funeral on Monday playing the pipes, my mum was a great lover of the pipes, being Scottish, Your turn out was fantastic and you played my mums song Amazing grace beautifully, your attendance and your playing of the pipes brought great comfort to the family. Thank you and well done your a good man.
Most requirements for a piper are for short performances during certain parts of the events. Due to the volume of the instrument, I wouldn't typically play for anymore than 10 minutes at a time.
PA and lighting isn't required for my act
I am fully insured
Just a room to get changed in at most. Not always required and dependant on the job type
Given enough notice and if it is a piece that can be played properly on the pipes, then yes.
I play most traditional and popular bagpipe music. I am available to hire for Weddings, parties, Funerals and most other types of functions.
The following is a selection of my repertior, I do have other tunes that may be unfamiliar to non piping people. If you don't see your
favourite, please get in touch, I do have an extensive library and can usually source and learn most bagpipe tunes.
Amazing Grace
Highland Cathedral
Slow airs/songs
Caledonia
Cock of the North
Danny boy
Going Home
Happy Birthday
Hector the Hero
Maries Wedding
Mull of Kintyre
My Home
Scottish soldier
The Cradle song
The Dark Isle
The Flower of Scotland
The Leaving of Liverpool
The Mingualy boat song
The Mist covered mountains
The Sky boat song
These are my mountains
We're no awa tae bide awa
Laments
Flowers of the Forrest
Sleep Dearie Sleep
Hymns
Abide with me
Oft the Stilly Night
Marches
Bonnie Dundee
Donald MacLean of Lewis
Farewell to the Creeks
Highland laddie
Jeannie Mauchline
King George the V's Army
Liberton pipe band
Lord Lovat's lament
Murdo's Wedding
Scotland the Brave
The 25th KOSB's farewell to Meerut
The Atholl Highlanders
The Barren Rocks of Aden
The Bathgate Highland games
The Battle of the Somme
The Battle of Waterloo
The Black bear
The Bonnie Lass of Fyvie
The Crags of tumble down mountain
The Green Hills of Tyrol
The Heights of Dargai
The Road to the Isles
The Rose of Allendale
The Roses of Prince Charlie
The Rowan Tree
The Steam boat
When the Battle's O'er
Ye jacobites by name
Burns
Auld Lang Syne
A Man's a man for a that
My Love she's but a Lassie yet
Corn rigs are bonnie
Ye Banks and Braes
Will ye no come back again
Ae fond Kiss