The Yorkshire Piper

Testimonials

Weddings

Thank you so much Laura! It was such a highlight of the evening. You did an amazing job, and we are so grateful that you made our entrance so special and memorable. Thank you! Jess

Jess and Emily, wedding – Deighton Lodge, York, March 23

I can’t thank you enough, you were fantastic, and I loved the emotion you brought today. Thank you for everything.

Nicola and Shaun –Wedding- Sheffield, August 23

Just a quick note to say huge thanks for yesterday. It really added a sense of occasion as people arrived. Also, we hadn’t quite realised what being piped into the church means but we and everyone loved it – it really helped make it a special occasion. One person said the tune made her go tingly and another said it made her baby go to sleep! Huge thanks again and all the very best.

Tasia – Wedding –Keighley, April 23

We are so happy you were able to play at our wedding. Bringing a piece of Scotland to our day, made it even more special. We absolutely loved it. You were brilliant, thank you.

Mr and Mrs Schofield –Wedding Bolton Abbey, June 23

I just wanted to message you to say thank you so much for joining us on our special day, the bagpipes were a tribute to my great-grandma and the family definitely approved! You’re so talented. You were amazing and we were very lucky to have found you and have you play at our special day- the perfect touch!  Thank you again Alisha and Chris.

Chris and Alisha- Wedding Robin Hoods Bay, August 23

Laura was an absolute hit. Coming from Scotland, I’ve heard lots of solo pipers, but both myself and my guests all said the same thing – Laura is the best of the best! Laura was super professional and made the day even more special for us, helping create one that everyone will remember! Thank you so much Laura.

Rob and Reesha – August 23, York wedding

Absolutely fantastic addition to our wedding! 10/10 would highly recommend. Thank you again Laura for making our day extra special.

Lewis – Darlington wedding – April 23

Laura was so amazing, everyone was commenting on just how brilliant she was, she was so was so lovely and kind such beautiful smile 😊 would highly recommend Laura and will most definitely be booking her again thank you so much Laura you truely made my dreams come true it’all I’ve ever wanted to walk back up the isle to the bagpipes

From the first contact we had with Laura about playing at our wedding until the event she was so friendly and professional. We had seen some videos she had sent us and we thought they were good, but when she played live at our wedding it was nothing short of brilliant. We discussed what we wanted and trusted her choices of music from piping guests onto the field as we had a festival style wedding, to playing myself and my husband out of the marquee at the end of our ceremony, it was perfect. Laura really captured the feel of our wedding and we couldn’t be happier both with her playing and her professionalism on the day. She was an integral part of our day, so if you need a piper, honestly look no further, you have found one.

Lynn and Mark – Wedding Sept 22 Barnsley

Laura’s number was given to us by another piper and I am so glad it was. Laura was amazing in every way, she had us crying, laughing and even dancing. What an amazing woman, we can’t thank her enough. Thank you so much Laura love from Mr and Mrs Goodwin. PS If anyone asks me if I know a piper, I will definitely pass her number on.’

Marie Goodwin- wedding Skegness Sept 22

Where do I start, my family and I are of Pakistan origin born in Scotland. My son was getting married to an English girl from Bradford, so we wanted to add some Scottish twist with Asian drummers. I can’t express how well Laura collaborated with them, it’s like they played for years together. Laura did a fantastic job and I would recommend her everyday of the week. Thank you Laura!!!

Maz- Wedding Dewsbury, Banqueting Suite- Sept 22

We had Laura play at our wedding. Well, what more can l say. Excellent from the start.
Would highly recommend Laura to play at any venue. In time to come if l ever need a piper then she is first on my list.
Once again myself and my wife would like to thank her for making our day

Stewart Wedding – Chesterfield Registry

 

Hi Laura, we just wanted to say thank you for helping make our day so special. Loads of folk said how great the piping was and we loved it. It was just what we wanted and brought a little bit of Scotland to York for me and my family.

Jackie and Richard

Right from the moment we first made contact with Laura she has been so professional and friendly throughout our whole planning stage. When our big day arrived, our guests and especially us were blown away with Laura’s talent! I know that bagpipes always bring a tear to peoples eyes and I can confirm there was not a dry eye at our venue!!. We cannot recommend Laura enough, she is a lovely and very talented lady. Thank you for helping us to make our day as magical as it was.

Mr and Mrs Anderson

On Saturday 25th June this year, me and my now husband Max got married and asked Laura to play at our wedding. She sent us some videos through of her recent work and we had a chat about what we wanted, we wanted her to play at the church then at the following ceremony which meant travelling. Laura didn’t just make our expectations; she made our wedding day. We asked her to play a couple of particular songs which are very close to us, and she did this to absolute perfection. She brought a tear to our eye, a lovely lady with an amazing talent. I would highly recommend Laura for any occasion, thank you so much for being a part of our day.

Max and Elizabeth Taylor

I would just like to thank pipe major Laura Simpson for her appearance at our wedding on the 10th July at Dunedin House. She created a wonderful atmosphere as she played our guests into the venue. I wanted to add a little Scottish into our wedding and this was the perfect touch, I couldn’t thank her enough.

Kelly

‘Due to covid restrictions, the uncertainty of wedding rules and numbers permitted, I made a last-minute decision to search for a piper when we knew my son’s wedding date was confirmed. Through a friend’s recommendation, I contacted Laura and was very fortunate to be able to book her to play the pipes in June 2021. Having a piper in attendance came as a lovely surprise not just to my son but also to my dad who, due to a terminal cancer diagnosis, wasn’t sure if he would be well enough to attend his grandson’s big day until the last minute. All the guests commented on what a lovely addition a piper made to the day. I can highly recommend Laura and can’t thank her enough for agreeing to attend last minute, her brilliant playing ability, friendly manner and adding that special moment to what was truly an amazing day!’

Tracy (mother of the groom)

‘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 absolute 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

 

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

‘I’d like to say a huge thank you to Laura for the fantastic piping she did at our wedding. My husband’s family is Scottish and we thought the pipes would be a lovely addition to our Yorkshire wedding. I didn’t realise what an impact it would have and so many people commented as to how much they loved it, that it really added to the emotion of the day and made the hairs on the back of their necks stand up. Laura is so versatile in what she can play and does it magnificently. Laura was able to suggest songs to best suit the location and the occasion. A true professional and always look forward to hearing her play. A memorable addition to any event’.

Stacie and Fraser


Funerals

'I was arranging the funeral for my client’s mum, who had discussed with her daughter before she died what her wishes were for her ‘leaving do’. She had requested Danny Boy to be played by a piper as we walked to her graveside. From my first contact with Laura, she was amazing..she learnt the song to be played to the grave and played several songs as guests arrived at the woodland burial venue. She was very smartly dressed, pleasant, easy to work with, and most importantly an amazing piper. I would highly recommend her and will definitely be using her services again.’

Suzanne Bairstow – Independent Funeral Director

‘Would definitely recommend Laura, my mum decided two days before my dad’s funeral that she wanted the bagpipes. It was a last-minute decision and rush, and Laura came to our rescue. She was very helpful and couldn’t do enough for us, lovely lady. On the day she played fantastic, very moving and everyone remembered the bagpipes. Thank you, Laura.’

Sarah

‘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. Were 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

I cannot recommend Laura the lovely bagpipe lady enough. Laura helped me and made me feel at ease when I didn’t know what songs etc we might require for my father’s funeral. She kept in touch with me every step of the way leading to the funeral day, and everyone said how amazing she played, sounding fantastic. Just want to say a massive thank you.

Louise – Manchester Crem

Laura was simply wonderful at my father’s funeral. She is an extremely talented bagpiper but equally very friendly yet professional and easy to deal with. She was very respectful and provided lots of helpful information and videos beforehand so we knew we were in good hands. I know my father would have been delighted, it really helped to give him the wonderful send-off he deserved.

Julie – Keighley Church

We used Laura’s services for spreading my mom’s ashes on the Yorkshire moors. Very punctual on arrival, very understanding of what I wanted to take place, respectful of the event and I would recommend her to anyone.

Trevor, USA

Hi Laura, I just want to say a big thank you from myself and my family for the outstanding performance from my mother’s funeral. We can’t praise it enough, it was a lovely touch. Once again, Thank you.

James – Funeral Teeside- Sept 22

 

Thank you so much for yesterday, Laura. You were amazing! My dad would have loved it. I would highly recommend you to anyone.

Sharon -Funeral Sheffield -August 22

Thank you so much for today, you were amazing. If one of my sons gets married, I will be calling you again, you were brilliant.

Jackie – Funeral Malton – July 23

I commissioned Pipe Major Laura Simpson to play at my mother’s funeral. I commissioned her because of her outstanding resume and moreover because of who she is. From the moment I spoke to her it was obvious she was one of those special people you sometimes meet who have a passion for what they do: and REALLY care about their work; and the people they work for and with. Laura is punctual, efficient, and creative. Of course, she is a brilliant piper. I had to give her more than she quoted me because of the effort she put in before, during and after the service; and her level of expertise. She spent two hours on site and travelled for 5 hours. Nothing was too much trouble.

She is a brilliant piper as her resume implies but more than that she’s a brilliant person. She enabled me to to give my mum a fitting send off. Without the piping and specifically Laura’s piping the service would not have been complete. Fully recommended a brilliant musician and a wonderful person.

DR Q. BISMIL- funeral – Boston, Feb 23


Birthdays

‘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

I would 100% recommend Laura, she is amazing. We booked her to surprise my nanna for her 86th birthday. My nanna was crying with happiness, it’s a memory we will cherish forever.

Alisa Jones – Bradford


Burns Night

‘I was delighted when I came across Laura. I was looking for a piper for my burns night party and Laura did a perfect job. Not only is she an amazing piper, who knows all the traditional tunes you would expect, but she has a lovely, bubbly personality which all my guests loved. Would highly recommend booking Laura the next time you are in need of a piper! You won’t be disappointed.

Sera

We Booked Laura to pipe in our haggis at burns supper, what a fantastic performance, amazing lungs on her!!. She catered for all our guests and played some amazing songs, all the traditional pipe songs but also some quirky ones too. Such a lovely person to boot. Highly recommend, we were so impressed that we booked straight away for next year.

Craig Davey- Red Lion, Knapton