Professional Bagpipers For Hire

Antoin O'Doherty and the Bagpipes – The Beginning

I grew up in a very rural area surrounded by mountains and sea. At weekends there were two activities on offer: joining a football team or a Pipe Band. I did both, and that’s when it all started – age 10

Most weekends were spent in the local hall with my best mates, learning the bagpipes from our great tutors Jack MacCallion and John Coll. They both taught us the great tunes and the complicated technique of blowing and finger work. I was hooked from the early days, going to competitions locally and nationally and even being invited over to the USA with my pipe band. We studied the great Strathclyde Police Pipe Band religiously as they were the best in the world. On the solo piping front, I studied the great Roddy MacLeod, Willie MacCallum, Angus MacColl and finally Angus MacDonald of the Scots Guards.

Bagpipers for Hire set up by Antoin Doherty are a tight knit bunch of specialist pipers from pipebrnads across the UK and Ireland. Above all, we are truly passionate about piping and excel at Playing for occations and events.

We have 35 years experiance as a professionals, working hundreds of events across UK and Ireland. Many of our bagpipers come from a military background so can perfromin full uniform and kilt. Our guaranteed assurance is that our pipers will not let you down, visually, musically or socially. Bagpipers Hire take pride in helping you create a truly memorable event. We are based in London, but have Bagpipers all over the UK.

Please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you. Read our testimonials to hear what our clients say about us.

My Piping Journey
Throughout my university days studying for my degree and later my master’s in London, I continued to play the bagpipes.
This set the pattern for what followed: a life spent playing the bagpipes in every setting imaginable, from weddings and funerals to special events and festivals, and on stages from Glastonbury to a former Prime Minister’s wedding.
I joined the Celtic ska band The Trojans and toured the UK, Europe, Russia and Japan, playing in some incredible venues all over the world from Catherine the Great’s Winter Palace in St Petersburg to Fuji Rock in Japan and some highbrow weddings and events in between.
I’ve performed on TV with KT Tunstall for Guilty Pleasures ITV, did a music video for the Help for Heroes campaign. I’ve recorded with Bad Manners, Mumford and Sons, and did a Christmas video with Ed Sheeran and Elton John which became a Christmas No. 1 – The Pipes Take You Everywhere in Life.
I’ve played with competing bagpipe bands since my teenage years, playing most years at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow in Grade 1 and 2. High tension, stiff competition and a brilliant experience. More recently, I’ve started competing as a solo piper and won a few good competitions this year.

Bagpipers for Hire – 30th Anniversary in 2026
I founded Bagpipers for Hire at a time when there was only one other agency in England and the internet was exploding. I’ve played everywhere from The Queen Mother’s Memorial at the Albert Hall to Rod Stewart’s 80th birthday, but what I love most is playing the bagpipes at weddings, funerals and special events to bring the best of the instrument to such important days and celebrations.
I’ve made connections with pipers across the UK, Ireland, America, New Zealand, and Canada. This agency allows me to offer a variety of options to clients, whether they need a solo piper or a full pipe band.
I also enjoy collaborating with dhol drummers at Indian weddings and many of us can recite poetry, perform the Address to the Haggis, or act as a toastmaster when needed.

What Our Bagpipers Cover...

Our bagpipers are suitable for all occasions. We have professional pipers with years of experience in all of the different areas seen below.

Our Testimonials

“Bagpipers for Hire pulled off a great piping performance at our recent Burns Supper. He arrived on time, immaculate in his Highland attire, and he truly set the tone for a very enjoyable evening.”

Alexander Jan, Arup

“You played at our wedding last December (at The Guard’s Chapel) and were amazing! You really added something special to our day and everyone spoke about how fab you were! Thank you!”

Yvonne and Cain Saunders

“I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful send off you gave my husband John today. Everyone was very impressed with your piping, especially my Scottish friend.”

Diana Belshaw

“I just wanted to say thanks again from the CII Events Team for yesterday – everyone seemed to have enjoyed the bagpipes, it was a great way to begin the evening.”

Selina Bhatti, Events Co-ordinator, Chartered Institute Insurance

“Was nice to meet you on Saturday and you did a fantastic job.”

Beverley Dervish, Events Officer, Publishing & Events Transport for London, TfL Group Marketing and Communications

“I have heard great things about you. The home were so impressed and really enjoyed having you. Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it too.”

Francesca, Senior Marketing Executive, Caring Homes Group

“Always punctual, dependable, cheerful and professional, Bagpipers for Hire deserves our highest recommendation as a valuable asset for any event that would benefit from the swirl of the pipes!”

Nigel Hardman, Hon. Secretary, Baltic Exchange Irish Society

“Thank you so much for yesterday, your playing made such a heart wrenchingly sad day somehow bearable and beautiful. I would like to also thank you for being a part of my beautiful sisters send off. It will be a day we will all remember.”

Jackie Boote

“Thanks for a super evening, you were terrific! You’ve definitely won over a few fans. Thanks for making it so memorable.”

Eadaoin

“Just wanted to thank you again for your amazing piping on Saturday. We've had nothing but positive feedback about the evening.”

Alex

“Antoin’s a total star, brilliant, he was so game. We shall use him again when I finally pen 'The Voice Pt 2'.”

KT Tunstall

“Once again Bagpipers for Hire, our grateful thanks for playing at our Memorial and making it so very special for so many people.”

Derek Butler, Chair, MRSA Action UK

“I just wanted to say thanks so much for agreeing to play at our wedding, you helped to make the day so special and memorable. Both father in laws were chuffed as you knew the Gordon Highlanders theme tune and you were from Ireland! Comments were made regarding the high quality of playing. It was brilliant to have you there. You are now in some of our wedding photos and I shall remember you dearly as the years go on.”

Lesley and Joseph McCole

“Dear Antoin – thank you very much indeed for your excellent performances for our wedding weekend – you were absolutely superb and everyone commented on how special it was to have you there. Thank you.”

James Corner - Aug 2026

“Lovely job and thanks for going out in front of the hearse up the road as I didn't expect that. Thanks very much.”

Joe Fay - July 2026

“Thank you Antoin. You were amazing and I was so proud, fit for a king with you playing in front of the funeral carriage. It made it so special.”

Kerry Miller - 2025

"You played at our wedding last December (at Guard's Chapel) and were amazing! You really added something special to our day and everyone spoke about how fab you were! Thank you!"

Yvonne and Cain Saunders

"Bagpipers for Hire pulled off a great piping performance at our recent Burns Supper. He arrived on time, immaculate in his Highland attire, and he truly set the tone for a very enjoyable evening."

Alexander Jan, Arup