SCOTTISH PIPES
& FIDDLE
Scottish Traditional Music,
finely crafted
Bespoke, acoustic, traditional performances featuring Scottish smallpipes, Great Highland bagpipes, Scottish fiddle, octave fiddle and the resonance of the Hardanger fiddle.
Scottish smallpipes & fiddle
Highland bagpipes
octave fiddle - Hardanger fiddle
OUR SOUND
We craft entirely acoustic atmospheres for exclusive events, by pairing traditional Scottish music with authentic and rare instrumentation.
"Just thinking about John and Luisa's music
still makes us both emotional."
Conor & Amy
| Fiddle & Smallpipes Duo | Highland Bagpipes |
|---|---|
| Elegant, ambient, authentically Scottish. | Powerful, grand, iconic. |
| Combined smallpipes, fiddle, Octave fiddle and Hardanger fiddle. Providing a spellbinding, intimate, virtuosic listening experience which easily pulls back into the perfect background acoustic. Solo performance also available. | Commanding absolute attention with their grand and stately presence. They offer a brilliant, regal tone for high-impact moments. |
| • Receptions | • Grand Arrivals |
| • Ceremonies | • Procession of Honour |
| • Processionals | • Salutes |
| • Private Dinners | • Significant Reveals |
ABOUT US
Nurtured by generations of musical families, John and Luisa are deeply rooted in Scotland’s living heritage with traditional music serving as their natural language. They are based in the Scottish Borders and regularly travel to performance destinations around Scotland and internationally. Highly accomplished in their own right, they have each spent decades performing on the global stage and within the country’s most exclusive venues. A selection of appearances includes:
.Scotland
Gleneagles | The Fife Arms | The Signet Library
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh | Gosford House | National Trust Sites
.International
Beijing Scottish Society | Singapore St. Andrew's Society
Caledonian Society of Oman
OUR INSTRUMENTS
Scottish Smallpipes: A mellow and immersive bellows-blown sound, suited perfectly to both indoor and outdoor settings. Designed to offer a delicate, warm volume that is much quieter and uniquely diverse from the Highland bagpipes. Having almost vanished by the 20th Century, Scottish smallpipes were once the historical heartbeat of Scottish life and are undergoing a wave of revival.
.Octave Fiddle: Luisa plays on a 120 year old old fiddle set with octave strings. These are special, thick strings much akin to the cello, offering an earthy warmth and set to the lower register of the Scottish smallpipes, offering a exceptionally rich depth of musical texture.
.Hardanger Fiddle: An ornate and spellbinding acoustic instrument originally from Norway. Hidden sympathetic strings create a natural, cathedral-like reverb, it pairs beautifully with the Scottish smallpipes to offer a unqiue and other-worldly listening experience..
Highland Bagpipes: Scotland’s most iconic instrument, bringing a sense of majesty, deep-rooted tradition and emotional power to important moments. The Highland bagpipes carry a centuries-old legacy of honour, making it the ultimate musical statement.
For Planners
Acoustic performance:
We perform entirely acoustically to make the absolute most of your venue’s unique resonance, allowing the instruments to be heard in grand spaces exactly as they were designed to be.
This also removes all risk of visual clutter of modern sound equipment.Repertoire
We work closely with our clients to select the ideal music for each moment, working from our own extensive list of traditional fiddle and pipe repertoire.
We can accommodate up to 1 specific request provided it is possible to perform this on the instruments we play. We are happy to work with you on what would be suitable.Coordination:
We coordinate directly with the event planner or venue manager regarding sound checks and timing cues.Assurances:
Full Public Liability Insurance (PLI)
Fully compliant with Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)Dress
We dress in refined, tailored and authentic formal wear, such as kilts, suits, dresses and tweeds.
Let us know if you would like to request a specific look from this wardrobe.Locations
We are based in Southern Scotland and are happy to travel.Inclement Weather Policy & Performance Standards
To protect our handcrafted instruments, the following outdoor performance standards apply:The Highland Bagpipe:
Can perform in light mist or drizzle. Requires overhead shelter in heavy rain, a shaded area in temperatures above 30°C (86°F), and an indoor/heated location in temperatures below 4°C (40°F), or in winds over 25 mph.Fiddle & Smallpipes:
Require the option for 100% dry, shaded shelter at all times. Outdoor performances are limited to a temperate window between 7°C and 30°C (55°F to 80°F) and winds under 25mph.If the weather forces your guests indoors, we will seamlessly transition inside. Our music beautifully amplifies when framed by natural acoustics.We reserve the right to make the final safety determination on-site, working directly with your coordinator to execute your venue's backup plan.