This might sound dramatic, but I sometimes think the bagpipes feel more than we do.

They cry louder. They celebrate harder. They mourn deeper. And somehow… they help us feel it all too.

I play at a lot of events — funerals, weddings, birthdays, memorials — and I can’t tell you how many times someone has come up to me afterward and said something like, “That music… I don’t even know what just happened, but I really needed it.”

It's Not Just Noise — It’s Memory

Bagpipes aren’t quiet. But they’re not just loud either — they’re layered. The drones, the melody, and the power behind the sound doesn’t just fill the air, it fills your chest. And in that space, it brings up memories.

Sometimes, you don’t even realize what you’re remembering until the tears hit. That’s when I know I’ve done my job.

The Pipes Know Ceremony

It’s easy to think of bagpipes as “that Scottish thing.” But the truth is, they were made for meaning. These instruments have been part of battlefields, vigils, and celebrations for generations.

Even if you’ve never heard a reel or know a piobaireachd from a hornpipe — the sound still lands. You don’t need to understand the music to feel it.

So Why Do They Stir the Soul?

Because they help us feel. In a world that tells us to keep things tidy and under control, bagpipes break that wide open.

They let the grief be big. They let the joy be loud. They let the goodbye be full and heartbreaking. They let the memory be real.

And if you're planning something meaningful, whether it's a celebration or a farewell, the right music will matter.

Thinking of hiring a piper for your event?

Whether it’s a funeral, wedding, birthday, or memorial, bagpipes add emotion that words often can’t. I’d love to help you create something powerful and personal.

→ Ready to add bagpipes to your next event? Get in touch here.