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The Bagpiper Blog
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Glyn
June 9, 2026
Elgol Beach is one of those places that immediately shows you why couples elope to the Isle of Skye for an outdoor ceremony. It is one of the most dramatic outdoor ceremony locations on the island. It sits beside the small village of Elgol on the south-west coast of Skye, with views across Loch Scavaig [...]
Glyn
April 26, 2026
St Anthony’s Chapel sits within Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, looking out across the city, Arthur’s Seat, and St Margaret’s Loch below.The ruins of the chapel, dating back to the late 14th century, provide a setting that feels completely different from anywhere else in the city. Despite being so close to the city centre, it feels [...]
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Glyn
March 30, 2026
Inchcolm Abbey on Inchcolm Island, in the Firth of Forth just off Edinburgh, is one of the most distinctive places in Scotland to get married or renew your vows. Reached by boat, it immediately feels like you’ve stepped away from everything, with the city to the south and Fife to the north, while the island [...]
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Glyn
February 17, 2025
Seacliff Beach, located in East Lothian, Scotland, is a beautiful, relatively quiet and a hidden gem 45 minutes along the coast to the south east of Edinburgh just a few miles from North Berwick. Seacliff beach is known for its picturesque scenery, offering spectacular views of The Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle. Being off [...]
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Glyn
December 17, 2023
The Inchcolm Abbey wedding that almost wasn’t | Real wedding at Inchcolm Abbey In September I had the great pleasure of officiating the intimate wedding ceremony of Jacqueline and Geoff from upstate New York, at this hidden gem of a wedding venue near Edinburgh, Inchcolm Abbey! I say a hidden gem, because Inchcolm [...]
Glyn
April 17, 2023
Stefan and Manuela’s Vows Renewal in Edinburgh This sunny April day was the 10th wedding anniversary of German couple, Stefan and Manuela. They asked me to be their vows renewal celebrant at the ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel in Edinburgh, and to play the bagpipes as part of the occasion. Edinburgh is a special place [...]
Glyn
October 12, 2021
A fantastic day today as a bagpiper in West Linton, Peebleshire, to celebrate the opening of "The Knot". With the support of a mysterious benefactor, the property which was formerly the Red Cross shop was bought and transformed into an outlet for local arts and crafts people and community produce. The rain didn't [...]
Glyn
May 25, 2021
These are a set of pipes I believe to be made by John Ban Mackenzie, who lived between 1796 and 1864. They belonged to a gentleman named Ken Macrae, who's 90th birthday I played for in January 2019. Sadly, on 26th June 2019 I played for his funeral after he passed away. [...]
Glyn
November 11, 2019
Amy and Joel travelled from Savannah, Georgia, for an Edinburgh elopement at St Anthony’s Chapel, one of the most beautiful and historic outdoor ceremony locations in the city. They had already completed the legal side of their marriage in the United States, but wanted an intimate and personal celebration in Scotland, just for the two [...]
Glyn
January 25, 2019
Return of the Black Arrow Rocket One of the pleasures of playing as a bagpiper for events in Edinburgh is that I get to play at unique occasions. This one was truly that! Penicuik, just south of Edinburgh has not been a place associated with the space industry until now! On [...]
Glyn
January 2, 2019
Delighted to have been asked back to play as a Hogmanay Bagpiper for the second year in a row at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews for their Hogmanay celebrations. Playing with me as a Mini-Pipe band to play in the "Bells" and perform a short recital were piper and drummer friends and colleagues, Thomas [...]
Glyn
December 18, 2018
Inverness-shire Militia Plaid Brooch My mother was a great frequenter of Jumble Sales, Car Boot Sales and Charity Shops over the years, and would regularly come home with some great finds. I remember when I she found this plaid brooch for me in one of the regular Jumble Sales held in [...]
Glyn
November 17, 2018
Not my first time visiting the Discovery, but the first time to be onboard as a Wedding Bagpiper! This was for Andy and Yvette's wedding. I always like playing at outdoor weddings, and especially at a unique venue like this one. The Discovery, of course, is the famous ship which took Robert Falcon Scott [...]
