Frequently asked questions

For weddings and events I recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance, ideally several months for peak season (May–October). For funerals I can often arrange a booking within 24–48 hours if I'm available — call or WhatsApp me directly.

Packages start at €225 incl. VAT (approx. 10–15 minutes) and go up to €650 incl. VAT (up to 90 minutes total playing time within a programme of up to 3 hours). Up to 60 minutes of round-trip travel time from Hedel is included; beyond that €1 per additional travel minute. See the pricing page for full details.

There are 4 packages: Short musical moment (€225, approx. 10–15 minutes playing time and approx. 45 minutes total presence); Personal performance (€295, up to 20 minutes playing time and approx. 1 hour total presence); Ceremony with multiple moments (€425, up to 40 minutes playing time within a programme of up to 1.5 hours and up to approx. 2 hours total presence including preparation); Extended event (€650, up to approx. 90 minutes playing time within a programme of up to 3 hours and up to approx. 3.5 hours total presence including preparation). All prices include VAT, a traditional kilt and up to 60 minutes of round-trip travel time from Hedel.

Bruce is an active competition piper with external grading in Scotland and Germany: CLASP Grade 3 in Light Music and Piobaireachd, and BAG Grade 3 Light Music / Grade 2 Piobaireachd. He also performs paid solo bookings for weddings, funerals, ceremonies and events. The grading gives clients an independent reference point for his current playing level.

Yes — you can request songs from my repertoire or ask for something special. Every tune on the list is at 90% mastery or higher, but the percentage reflects how well I know it, not always how recently I played it. Give each request at least 1 month notice per tune so I can recall it properly. If you don't request specific songs, I'll build a custom repertoire for your event based on what I currently master, always in consultation.

Every performance package includes a traditional kilt with matching Scottish attire: kilt, sporran, kilt hose and ghillie brogues — stylish and professional, without a military full-dress uniform.

A solo piper plays alone — ideal for ceremonies, weddings, funerals and intimate moments. A pipe band has multiple pipers and drummers and produces a much bigger, more bombastic sound. I play solo for hire, and also play in Venlo Caledonian Pipe Band.

Amazing Grace, Highland Cathedral, The Water is Wide, Fear a Bhata and The Mist Covered Mountains of Home — all part of the current repertoire. Personal requests are possible; feasibility and the preparation time needed are confirmed personally in advance.

I'm based in the Netherlands and regularly travel across Belgium and Western Germany. Further destinations are possible — get in touch and I'll quote travel honestly.

Yes. The Great Highland Bagpipe is loud, but it carries beautifully in churches, halls and even large living rooms. For very small rooms I can play the practice chanter or smallpipes.

Yes — I do the full Burns Night programme: piping in the haggis, the Address (Robert Burns' original), Auld Lang Syne, and any other tunes you'd like. Several Burns dinners every January.

The bagpipe handles light rain fine. For heavy rain I'll bring rain protection for the pipes; we'll move under cover if needed. We'll have a backup plan agreed beforehand.