A bagpipe farewell in South West Wales

And that's a wrap for August! Today, I'm at Shack Revolution Weddings in Hereford city centre today to pipe for the wedding of Chris and Carrie.

Wedding season is still in full flow, and I was delighted to perform recently in the beautiful Gloucestershire village of Wotton-Under-Edge, where the sound of the pipes echoed through the streets for the wedding of Danielle and Sean.

For centuries, the Great Highland Bagpipe has been used at funerals to honour the departed. Its timeless sound speaks to the heart, offering both sorrow and comfort. Many families in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, and across South Wales choose to include a piper as part of their farewell.

The Victoria Bridge, which spans the River Wye in Hereford, was built in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

A gorgeous day to be piping for a wedding and earlier in the summer, I fulfilled a personal request to pipe for the wedding of Chris and Donna at Penygarn Chapel in Pontypool followed by the reception at the Comrades Club in Pontypool town centre. A big selection of well-known Scottish and Welsh tunes were played to welcome the assembled guests as well as the piping in of the bridal party.

The wedding season is a busy one this year and I already have bookings for 2026 'in the bag!'. If you are ready to add some bagpipes to your special day, please get in touch for a competitive quote with various wedding packages available to suit your requirements.

It's always a pleasure to be asked to pipe at Hampton Court Castle in my home county of Herefordshire and today, I returned at short-notice to fulfil a personal request to pipe for the wedding of Samantha and Mark, after they had been let down at the last minute by an entertainments agency. If you are looking to add some bagpipes to your Herefordshire (or beyond) wedding, please get in touch for a competitive quote today!

Today, Hereford held a service of remembrance for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day with a short ceremony in St Peter's Square. As Civic Piper, I was honoured to play the piper's lament, The Flowers of the Forest, as well as lead the civic procession from the Town Hall to St Peter's Church.

Guys and Dhols!

I was honoured to fulfil a personal request to pipe for the wedding of Thomas and Caitlin and to return to the magnificent Hampton Court Castle at Hope Under Dinmore, Herefordshire. I played a selection of well-known Scottish tunes as the guests assembled before playing Skye Boat Song and Mairi's Wedding and Rowan Tree for the signing of the register. If you would like to add a highly authentic, professional piping experience to your special day, please get in touch today!

A smart new kilt in Flower of Scotland tartan supplied by Campbells of Largs with matching hose by Lochcarron. This is the latest addition to my current selection of Modern Gordon, Ramsey Blue, Royal Stewart, Ramsey Blue Ancient and Highland Granite tartans.

Recently, I was personally requested to pipe for the funeral service of a much loved Scottish gentleman at Canley Crematorium in Coventry. The tunes chosen by the family were Flower of Scotland for the entrance music for the highly emotional service. The Dark Isle was also played as the mourners came out of the chapel into the garden of remembrance. At the request of the family, I wore Royal Stewart tartan.