The Yorkshire Piper

Events

York-based Pipe Major Laura Simpson is a Piper /bagpiper for hire for weddings, funerals, birthdays and other events throughout Yorkshire.

A timeless gift that can be enjoyed by everyone attending your wedding, the bagpipes are a sure-fire way to make the day memorable.
Did you know bagpipes are considered good luck? It’s an old custom to have a piper play to ensure a long and happy marriage.

Many options are available for your special day:

  • Pipes playing as guests arrive
  • The bride/ groom greeted and marched down the aisle (as per custom)
  • Leaving the ceremony/ as photos are taken outside
  • Wedding Breakfast/ Afternoon reception
  • Arrival
  • As photos take place
  • Piping the bride and groom into the wedding breakfast
  • Evening Reception
  • Guests Arrive
  • Auld lang syne midnight

Tunes:
An array of Tunes is available for weddings, with a large repertoire.
Some core favourites include:
-Skye Boat/ Marie’s Wedding/ Caller Herring
-Scotland The Brave/ Rowan Tree/ Bonnie Galloway

-Murdo’s Wedding/Wings/Flett From Flotta/ The Minstrel Boy
-Farewell To The Creeks/Cock O’ The North
-The Gael/Dark Island/Cullen Bay/Itchy Fingers
-Highland Cathedral
-Green Hills/Battles O’er
-Waters of Kylesku/ Liberton Pipe Band/ The Kilberry Ball
-Mull Of Kintyre
-79ths Farewell To Gibraltar/ Highland Laddie/Black Bear
-51 st Highland Division/ The Old Rustic Bridge/ The Badge Of Scotland/The Bonnie Hoose O’Airlie
-Atholl Highlanders
-Campbells Farewell/Teribus/The Pipers Cave/The 25 th KOSB’S Farewell
-Auld Lang Syne


Testimonials

We hired Laura to play the bagpipes for our wedding day and we were absolutely thrilled. Laura kept in touch on the run-up to the wedding and was more than happy to help us choose songs to play.


Seeing Laura in full Scottish highland attire and playing the bagpipes really gave an authentic feel and set the tone on our wedding day.


We totally recommend and will be hiring Laura again in the future for our daughter’s christening or other family events’


Lewis and Hayley


Laura was an absolute superstar, from start to finish, in terms of organising, but most importantly on the day.


Rachel and I both have a strong Scottish heritage. Laura was a professional, a real calming influence on a nervous bride and played fabulously even in the rain. She tailored to our requests but also put together a wonderful set which she created.


An absolutely magical moment for us when we walked back down the aisle as Mrs and Mrs. The guests loved her. Wish we could do all over again. I would recommend to everybody. Thank you again.’


Rachael Harrower-Long

Laura has played many funerals across Yorkshire and continues to enjoy being a part of such a memorable day. The pipes are played regularly at funerals and are a very fitting tribute to any celebration of life.


Family and guests are always moved by the haunting and beautiful sounds of the bagpipes and comments are often made in regards how they mark a truly beautiful and special send-off.


Each funeral is unique and as such, no requirement is the same.

  • Options:
  • You may wish for Laura to pipe the hearse up to the church or crematorium.
  • It may be that you would like the pipes to play to lead in your loved one, or to play as respect is
    given throughout the service.
  • Maybe it is at the end to lead the procession out, or as mourners pay their respects to the family.
  • Playing at burial sites is often requested and available
  • Wakes
  • Ash scattering
  • It may be you would like all these options, perhaps you have your own ideas, feel free to enquire
    today.

Tunes (more available)
Amazing Grace

Danny Boy
Flowers Of The Forest
Highland Cathedral
The Gael
Lovely Stornoway
Going Home
The Dark Island
Skye Boat Song
Scotland The Brave


Testimonials

With very short notice, Laura played 5 songs beautifully at my father’s funeral. We’ve had many comments saying it really was a beautiful send off. We believe the music really set the atmosphere.
We’re forever grateful for her professionalism and respect for the occasion.
Thank you a million for participating in this special day with us.

Familia Santana



Laura recently played the bagpipes for my family at my mother’s funeral. Laura was very discrete arrived on time and was immaculately dressed. Very compassionate to the situation and we cannot praise her highly enough for beautifully playing the Skye Boat Song (My mother’s favourite tune) at the end of the ceremony. Our heartfelt thanks from all the family.
Wendy and Bob

Laura has had the privilege of playing many special birthdays across the years. Whether it’s a 60th, 70th, 80th , 90th or even 100th birthday.


It doesn’t have to just be the start of a decade. Laura has played 21sts, 25ths, 67ths, 86ths, 91st and more.
Happy Birthday on the pipes is a lovely sound.


Tunes:
Happy Birthday
The Gael/Dark Isle/Cullen Bay Itchy Fingers
Green Hills
Balmoral/ J.K Cairns
Bonnie Dundee/ Muckin O Geordie’s Byre/Hot Punch/ The Steamboat
Marquis Of Huntly’s Highland Fling


Testimonial

‘We were all so happy with your playing, and you brought a tear to many eyes. My father remembers it well, he absolutely loved it. ‘

Jacqui – father’s 90th birthday party

One of Laura’s favourites to do is care homes. Music makes us all come alive and hearing residents sing to classics like Tipperary, Pack Up Your Troubles and Amazing Grace will move any heart.

You can have the pipes at any time to celebrate a special birthday, a spring day, tea parties, Christmas do’s, New Year, Burns night and more.


Tunes:
Amazing Grace
Danny Boy

It’s A Long Way To Tipperary/ Pack Up Your Troubles/Keep The Home Fires Burning/ Goodbye-ee..
Flower Of Scotland/Will Ye No’Come Back Again/We’re No Awa’Tae Bide Awa
Skye Boat/ Marie’s Wedding
Highland Laddie/ Black Bear
Lovely Stornoway/ Cockney Jocks
Scotland The Brave/Rowan Tree/Bonnie Galloway

Testimonial

‘We were all so happy with your playing, and you brought a tear to many eyes. My father remembers it well, he absolutely loved it. ‘

Jacqui – father’s 90th birthday party