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About
Craig Ward is a Perthshire-based bagpiper, offering live music at weddings throughout Scotland and beyond. He has been a piper for over 30 years, having begun learning at age 7, under the tutelage of several world-class pipers who instilled within him a passion for music and Celtic culture. Above all, Craig aims to bring a smile and a joy for performing to each celebration.
Services Offered
From small, intimate elopements to large, lavish celebrations and everything inbetween, nothing adds a sense of occasion quite like the bagpipes. Craig offers packages that can be tailored to your exact needs, performing at various key moments throughout your day, including the following:
- Your guests and wedding party arrival at the ceremony and/or reception venue
- During the ceremony for your wedding party entrance, signing of the marriage schedule and couple's exit
- During the confetti shower
- Throughout the drinks reception
- Lead you to the Top Table of your wedding breakfast
While these are typical times that a piper will play, everything is always your choice and Craig will work with you and tailor everything to you, matching your vision for your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
What services do you offer?
Ceremony music
Entertainment
Other
What is included in the wedding package?
All packages are tailored to the couple and typically can include playing for guests arrival, during ceremony for processional and recessional, during photos/drinks and piping to top table
How far in advance should I contact you?
As soon as you know you want a piper. Popular weekends can fill up quickly, and I take wedding bookings anything between a couple of weeks to 2 and a half years before the day
What style of music do you offer?
Other
Type of musical group:
Soloist
Size of group:
Soloist
Repertoire:
I play a vast range of pipe music, from very traditional, well known classics, to lesser known, more modern pipe tunes. I can also learn or adapt more modern music to the pipes if given enough time
Is it possible to request something that's not in the repertoire?
Absolutely! I love playing music that is personal to a couple. Not all music can be played on the bagpipes, but just ask and if I don't know it, I'll learn or adapt it for you (given enough time)
What's your experience?
A piper for 30 years, I've travelled the world from Japan to New York, and competed to a high level in both solo and pipe band format, winning the world pipe band championships at just aged 14
Do you have your own equipment?
Yes
Do you need specific materials or conditions to offer your service?
No
Can you travel?
Yes, all over Scotland, or farther if requested
Is there a charge for travelling?
Yes, venues within a 100 mile round trip of my home (in Perthshire) incur no travel charge. Venues further than this will incur a surcharge and the total price you will pay will be given on enquiry
Do you cover more than one wedding a day?
No
Do you work alone or do you have a team of professionals?
Alone
What is the length of time of the act?
I will be there for as long as is required for the couple's wishes. For a wedding, I can typically be on site for anything between 2 and 6 hours, but this could be longer
How much time do you need to prepare for an act?
I need approx. 20 minutes to warm up, but I always arrive at least one hour before the guests begin to arrive
Do you do open-air acts?
Yes
Do you charge per hour or per event?
Per event
If needed, would you be able to work extra hours?
Yes
How do you charge extra time?
Prior agreement with the client. I'm very flexible, and will happily adjust timings prior to the wedding. If extra time on site is needed on the day, I will charge £45 per extra hour as required
What are the forms of payment?
BACS transfer before the date of the wedding. A £50 deposit is required to secure the booking, and the balance is due no later than 14 days before the wedding
Reviews for Craig Ward Piping
Kieran Sent on 18/07/2025
5 out of 5 rating
Excellent piper for a wedding!
Craig was amazing from start to finish, he was so so helpful with suggestions and offered to learn any songs he didn’t already know that we might like. He was responsive to our emails and played beautifully on the day. I would highly recommend him to anyone who’s interested in hiring a piper.
Courtney Sent on 24/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating
A fantastic piper for any occasion!
We were so happy that we booked Craig for our wedding! He was fantastic throughout the whole process. There was great communication and he was even willing to try to make my processional song work on pipes! Our guests were moved to tears seeing him play. No Scottish wedding is complete without a piper and we couldn’t recommend Craig enough! Thank you so much.
Michael Sent on 15/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating
Brilliant!
Craig did an amazing job on our wedding day and was a big hit with our guests. Communication in the lead up to the wedding was brilliant and he offered his expertise and opinion whilst making sure we got exactly what we were looking for. A really big part of our wedding day and so glad we had him playing - I'd highly recommend Craig.
Louise Sent on 06/01/2024
5 out of 5 rating
Incredible!
Craig was the most incredible and professional supplier I had the pleasure of dealing with. He responded instantly to my initial query and kept us up to date right up until the morning of the wedding.
Unfortunately due to Edinburgh traffic I was slightly late for the ceremony and Craig continued to pipe until I arrived at the venue. He was absolutely amazing and all the guests were blown away (including me!!).
I’d recommend Craig to anyone! If you’re thinking of having a piper book Craig, you won’t regret it.
Unfortunately due to Edinburgh traffic I was slightly late for the ceremony and Craig continued to pipe until I arrived at the venue. He was absolutely amazing and all the guests were blown away (including me!!).
I’d recommend Craig to anyone! If you’re thinking of having a piper book Craig, you won’t regret it.
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Hillhead Cottage, Logierait, PH9 0LH PH9 0LH Pitlochry (Perthshire)