The post Roddy’s Scottish Bagpipe Rock Band Tartanium appeared first on Roddy the Piper.

International Bagpiper heads to the Philippines for a Wedding

Only a couple of weeks ago, I was performing International Bagpiping duties in Las Vegas, working with Visit Scotland for one of the worlds largest events shows, IMEX. This time, I am flying East, back to the Philippines for the third event in eighteen months. I was lucky to perform at the 2018 Burns supper and St. Andrews night celebrations for the Manila St. Andrews Society (founded in 1879). The Scottish celebrations this time are out of the hustle and bustle of downtown Manila. After 20 hours on a plane and 5 hours in a coach we arrived, appropriately enough, in the Highlands of the Philippines. Spectacularly different in their pace of life – free from traffic jams and air pollution!

The event is a Scottish/Filipino wedding, with all the trappings of a multicultural party. I first met the parents of the Groom several years ago at Dundas Castle, and they’ve kindly invited me to the other side of the world a few times since.

I have travelled out with Aberdeenshire based Accordion player Graham Geddes who will be leading the ceilidh dancing.

In the performance of my duties as International Wedding Bagpiper, I set the scene by piping in the guests to a beautiful indoor/outdoor covered space on a hilltop. Then I piped in the wedding party, the groom, and the bride. When it came to the reception after dinner and speeches, myself and Graham began the Ceilidh music. Often I play the role of Ceilidh caller at events, however I was relieved of these duties by the mother of the Bride. She is an avid Ceilidh dancer and even runs her own Ceilidh group in the Philippines!

The wedding was great fun and I’m glad I was able to help provide a bit of Scottish tradition on the other side of the planet.

After a successful wedding, the International Bagpiping came to an end. The next day was the long journey to Manila. A brief stop before the flight leads us to a fascinating Jellyfish-themed bar.

And then back home to Bonnie, Bonnie Scotland.

The post Bagpiping at a Wedding in the Philippines appeared first on Roddy the Piper.

The Travels of International Bagpiper Roddy the Piper continue, this time to Las Vegas, Nevada. 

The first thing you notice stepping off the plane is how hot and heavy the air is. Then you realise how crisp the air in Scotland is. That’s always nice to come back to.

I’ve landed in Las Vegas at night and it’s 31 degrees. Airport air-con makes me forget that for a while as I collect my luggage. But as I exit and flag a taxi, I’m reminded of the heat pretty quickly.

This is the 8^th time I’ve been to Vegas, but I don’t think I’ll ever get over the feeling that it’s like some strange other world. From the taxi ride to the hotel on the strip, we pass one-hundred foot tall LED screens, giant neon signs, fountains blasting water so high it hurts your neck to see the top. And, of course, the monuments to famous monuments: the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, the Venice Canals.

It’s madness. A metropolis in the middle of the desert. An oasis, perhaps. It’s overwhelming, sure – but exciting as hell.

I’m back in Vegas with Visit Scotland for IMEX America, the world’s biggest meetings expo. There are people from all over the world here for the next few days looking to arrange destinations for conferences and events. Basically, it’s a giant trade show. All of the major players in Scottish hospitality are there.

I’m there to entertain! To provide a little taste of the many things Scotland has to offer. Dressed the part of international bagpiper, I perform a haggis address to a wild and furry little haggis. I host a whisky tasting. I played small pipes, and blasted out some ceilidh tunes on the big pipes.

I even treated the guests of the Cosmopolitan Hotel to a tune from the balcony of my room (see below).

And once all of the work was out of the way for the day, we were treated to Las Vegas’ famous (infamous?) evening enertainment. A true sensory overload. Bizarrely, it’s never gets dark unless they want it to. Every situation is closely managed. Your attention is directed, controlled, pointed towards the fun. Light shows, thumping music, dancers, acrobats and circus performers – and much, much more. But here I choose to invoke the old saying which I believe (hope) is also legally binding: what happens in Vegas…

Until next year.

Thanks to Visit Scotland, SITE Scotland, IMEX

The post What Happened in Vegas? appeared first on Roddy the Piper.

Robert Burns celebrations

The Burns Bagpiper. To celebrate our Nations Bard, Rabbie Burns, Roddy was asked to do a number of Burns Nights.

The start of the 12 day tour started with an Oil and gas giant who put on a fantastic traditional burns supper at the AECC in Aberdeen. With immortal memory, addres to the haggis, and music from Gill Bowman, along with a spirited performance from the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band.

The Reel Time Ceilidh Band were the Burns Night band for the ceilidh dancing. As soon as the master of ceremonies opened the floor for the ceilidh dancing, the guests (from Aberdeen to Argentina , Cardenden to Colombia,) were straight up for the party. With a packed dance floor for three hours, it was a great ceilidh night in Aberdeen.

Burns event at Dynamic Earth

Roddy was asked to address the haggis at the Lloyds Banking conference Burns Supper on Wednesday. 100 guests enjoyed an informal Burns evening at the Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. Roddy was accompanied by a couple of pipers from a local pipe band. Who piped in the haggis before he addressed it.

After the conference Scottish dinner, the Scraggly Cats  came on to take the guests though their ceilidh dancing paces. This was well received and guests were enthusiastic for ceilidh dancing fun. Later in the evening the band played some pop and rock classics to finish the night. A great night by all!!

From Madrid to Manila; international Burns turns

The next morning Roddy was on the long haul. All the way to Manila, in the Philippines. To perform for a St. Andrews Society that has been in place since the 1800s. The event, hosted in one of the cities wonderful hotels, was a bit different from the rest. Roddy and another experienced Burns bagpiper from Canada, Sam Arnold, piped guests in for dinner. Roddy opened the evening with the Selkirk grace. A couple of Filipino singers regaled the audience with Scottish traditional songs, Red Red Rose, Caledonia, etc. They were well rehearsed musicians, proving how well Robert Burns work travels around the world. Roddy then performed the mighty Haggis Address in front of the British ambassador to the Philippines and other esteemed guests.

For the first time, Roddy joined up with the Hong Kong ceilidh band, a group of expats now living in Hong Kong. They were flown in specially for the event (after a hard night in Hong Kong the previous evening where they performed at another Burns Night) to give a slightly different twist with their fantastic ceilidh sound.

Rather than flying straight home from the Philippines, Roddy went on to visit a little more of the islands. Playing on Ilao Ilao, then a wonderful few tunes on a mango farm before home.

This burns night was an excellent homage to the Bard.

Burns bagpiper

To book a bagpiper for your Burns night, Scottish show or to address the haggis, please see our contact page.

The post Burns Night Around the World: from Aberdeen and Edinburgh to Madrid and Manilla appeared first on Roddy the Piper.

Roddy was assigned to it.

The idea was to have Roddy teaching Dermot ………….. to play the bagpipes.  

This is maybe not quite as easy as the production assistants believed, so it was decided a duet with Roddy and Dermot welcoming the judges to their Edinburgh audition would work best!  

You can see more from XFACTOR in the autumn.

You can see more of roddythepiper any time you like.

If you are looking for a fun bagpipe class for a group, then check out our video.

If you want to try some of the other classic Scottish activities, then check out our Highland games video.

The post VIP Bagpiper: Who has the Bagpipe X Factor? appeared first on Roddy the Piper.

On the program was a race day at Knockhill and a private crossing of the Forth Road Bridge; it seems a Ferrari also buys some privileges.  Here is a wee peek inside a pretty fantastic event.

Roddy is still in secret talks about driving for Ferrari next season.

Photos by Stewart Attwood Edinburgh based photographer and all round nice chap!

The post Ferrari Owners Club 50th Anniversary Celebration in Edinburgh appeared first on Roddy the Piper.

The participants enjoyed a whole variety of different activities, inclucing falconry, tossing the caber, Highland dance workshop and a farmers dash.  As well as entertaining guests with his bagpipe playing, Roddy also led the Bagpipe masterclass.  The guests enjoyed getting to grips with the basics on the chanter, as well as some pretty sucessful attempts on the pipes.

To find out a bit more about Roddy’s Bagpipe Masterclasses, take a look at this video, and get in contact to find out more about bagpiping and Highland games.

The post Bagpipe Masterclass at Cameron House Highland Games appeared first on Roddy the Piper.

Roddy will be happy to answer your bagpipe related questions and tell you about his Highland dress.

Have a look at our have a blow bagpipe video….

If you fancy trying some other Scottish experiences to go along with your bagpipe playing, then have a look at our Highland games video.  Our masterclasses are great for incentive experiences, tourist groups and people full of hot air!  If you are looking for serious tuition, not just a one off have a blow workshop, then we can recommend some of our colleagues who teach bagpipes privately.

The post Bagpipe Masterclass appeared first on Roddy the Piper.

Roddy was asked to help out the uber trendy G & V Hotel with a photo shoot for their new wedding brochure.  Positioned right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the G&V is just seconds from the Royal Mile and St Giles Cathedral and offers plenty of iconic backdrops for your wedding pictures.

Roddy always enjoys working with the super talented Tony Marsh; if you are looking for a photgrapher/videographer, do take a look at Tony’s website to see what he could do for you.

Working with Lamborghini and Aston Martin was a particular highlight for Roddy, and he thoroughly enjoyed working with the G&V again.  To find out more about wedding packages at the G&V, and to see more of the photos.

To get more information on wedding services Roddy the Piper can provide, check out his website, as well as Reel Time Events for a full wedding entertainment package, and do get in touch for further details and a tailor made quote.

To see Roddy in action with his band, check out the new Reel Time Band website!

The post Love is in the Air! appeared first on Roddy the Piper.

Burns Night continued for Roddy with a trip to Madrid for the Ambassador’s Burns Supper.  An evening of elegance, poetry, wonderful food and ceilidh dancing was enjoyed at the Ambassador’s residence in Madrid.  An excellent evening was had by all.  Guests enjoyed a menu of cock-a-leekie soup, Scottish smoked salmon, Macsween’s haggis, followed by cranachan.  Dinner was interspersed with poetry from the Bard, as well as a wonderful menu of whisky to complement each course.  Roddy’s particular favourite was the Lagavulin 16 which paired beautifully with the haggis.

The Immortal Memory was wonderfully presented by one of the past presidents of the World Burns Federation.  Roddy has heard many of these presentations and this was definitely one of the best; memorable, funny and it hit the tone of the audience well.

After dinner, the guests enjoyed some ceilidh dancing to work off the calories, before a large rendition of Auld Lang Syne to finish the evening.

The Bard would have been proud!

The post Roddy and the Ambassador appeared first on Roddy the Piper.