Meet Douglas

Highland Bagpiper in Ipswich & Suffolk | Weddings, Funerals & Events | KJ Folk Music

 

Photo of Samantha playing the violin, photo taken by Alan Lyall

Bagpiper in Ipswich for Weddings, Events & Special Occasions

Looking to hire a professional Highland bagpiper in Ipswich or Suffolk? Douglas is the piper our clients book when they want moments that are truly special. His playing commands attention, and creates an atmosphere that people remember. With an extensive wardrobe of vintage Highland dress and a calm, assured presence, Douglas turns important occasions into powerful, meaningful experiences.

Doug is one of our most sought-after bagpipers, performing across Ipswich and the surrounding areas for weddings, funerals, ceremonies and special events with KJ Folk Music.

 

With over 30 years of professional experience, Doug has performed at prestigious ceremonial and public events, including playing with The 1st Royal Tank Regiment Pipes and Drums at the Queen Mother’s 100th Birthday celebrations, as well as engagements across the UK and internationally. He is the piper our clients book when they want proven pedigree, immaculate presentation and a performance that genuinely meaningful.

Styles
βœ“ Traditional Highland piping βœ“ Ceremonial βœ“ Marches & laments 

βœ“  Modern selections βœ“ Acoustic performance

 

Events
βœ“ Weddings βœ“ Funerals & memorials βœ“ Private events βœ“ Corporate & civic events βœ“ Community celebrations βœ“ Festivals & public events

 

Additional professional work includes
βœ“ Television & film βœ“ Modelling & promotional work βœ“ Commercial and media appearances

How booking works 

How bookings work

We manage some of Doug’s solo bookings in partnership with him, making the process simple, professional, and secure for clients.

 

That means:

  • Clear pricing

  • Proper planning and coordination

  • Backup support if anything unexpected happens

  • A smooth experience from enquiry to performance

 

You’re not just booking a bagpiper — you’re booking a trusted, supported professional.

Step 1

Check we’re the right fit for your event

We work with a small, handpicked team of professional musicians.
You can choose your preferred musician below, and we’ll always confirm exactly who is available before anything is booked.

Preferred musician (subject to availability)

We check live availability before anything is confirmed.


Once you send Step 1 and Step 2, we’ll confirm the musician and price with you personally before you book.

Step 2

What are “Musical Moments”?

Our packages include a set number of "Musical Moments". Each moment covers one part of your event (for example: guest arrival / or walking down the aisle / or signing the register).

 

Some longer elements count as "2 Musical Moments" - up to 1 hour of music, or 2 × 20-minute sets for bagpipes. This will be clearly shown as you build your bespoke package.

 

Get your instant quote

Select your service and options below to see your estimated price instantly.


Once you’ve sent your quote, we’ll be in touch to confirm availability and answer any questions.

Travel costs included for bookings over Β£500

Travel is calculated based on the location you entered in Step 1, and confirmed once your musician's availability is confirmed.

Thinking about a ceilidh + DJ package too?

Planning dancing as well? It’s usually better value to book your ceilidh and musicians together using our KJ Ceilidhs Instant Quote Tool.

 

When musicians are already booked for your ceilidh, additional daytime or ceremony music can often be added more cost-effectively.

 

This form is still useful for sharing your musical details with us, but the most accurate pricing for a combined booking comes from the ceilidh quote tool.

 Thank you for making our day extra special, a truly talented musician with high levels of customer service skills.

Charlotte M

Samantha was fantastic and the music at our drinks reception was perfect.  She really made our day special.

Catherine A
Very flexible with learning new songs. All of the guests loved the music! Would highly recommend Samantha!

Patrick J

Experienced & Professional

Doug is a piper we trust with moments that matter. He turns up prepared, composed and focused, and delivers exactly what the occasion calls for - whether that’s leading a formal ceremony, supporting a family at a funeral, or performing for a large public or media audience.

 

He is a valued member of the KJ Folk Music team and is regularly booked across Ipswich and Suffolk for weddings, funerals and high-profile events by clients who want a bagpiper who takes the responsibility seriously and does the job properly.

Recommended by KJ

As a bagpiper herself, Kathryn Johnstone sees Doug, not as competition, but as a highly valued professional she is proud to work alongside.

 

His reliability, care for clients and commitment to doing things right makes him an asset to the KJ Folk Music team and someone Kathryn trusts completely to represent the brand.

Our Values

At KJ Folk Music, we’re proud to support and champion the musicians we work with. We believe outstanding bagpipers deserve fair, professional representation - and our clients benefit from that standard at every stage.

 

If you’re looking for a top-tier bagpiper in Ipswich, Douglas delivers with authority, care and professionalism - and availability is limited.

FAQs – Bagpiper Hire in Ipswich & Suffolk

How much does it cost to hire a bagpiper in Ipswich or Suffolk?

The cost of hiring a bagpiper in Ipswich or across Suffolk depends on the type of event and how many Musical Moments you choose. Weddings and large public events often involve more planning and flexibility, while funerals and memorials are usually more structured. Your price updates instantly in the quote tool so you can see the cost clearly before enquiring. Most bookings fall between £320 and £900, depending on the level of service, coverage, and Musical Moments required.

What are Musical Moments when booking a bagpiper?

Musical Moments are individual parts of your event that need live piping. Common examples include guest arrival, a processional entrance, a formal ceremony piece, a recessional exit, a short feature performance, or a commemorative moment at a memorial or community event. Booking by Musical Moments keeps pricing clear and allows you to tailor the performance exactly to your needs.

How many Musical Moments do people usually book?

The number of Musical Moments varies by event. Weddings often include several moments across a ceremony or reception, while funerals, memorials and civic events may focus on one or two key moments. Private parties and public events sit somewhere in between. You can add or remove Musical Moments in the quote tool to suit your plans.

Can I request specific tunes or music?

Yes. You’re welcome to request specific tunes for your chosen Musical Moments. With plenty of notice, we’ll always do our best to include meaningful or traditional requests, and we’ll advise if something isn’t suitable for the pipes as the bagpipes only have 9 notes, so some requests can be harder to fulfil. We always do our best to fulfil every request. 

Do you cover all of Suffolk?

Yes. We provide professional bagpipers across Ipswich and throughout Suffolk, including Bury St Edmunds, Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Sudbury, Stowmarket and surrounding towns and villages. Travel is included for bookings over £500, covering up to 100 miles. We also regularly travel further - any additional travel costs are confirmed clearly with you in advance.

Is the performance suitable for both indoor and outdoor events?

Yes. Bagpipes are well suited to both indoor and outdoor settings. We’ll advise on positioning, volume and timing to ensure the performance fits the space and the tone of your event.

When is the bagpiper confirmed?

Once you submit your quote, we personally confirm availability and final details. You’ll always know who is performing before anything is confirmed and booked in.  We always aim to get back to you within 24 hours after you submit a quote. 

Why do bagpiper prices vary by event type?

Different events require different levels of preparation and coordination. Weddings and large celebrations often involve flexible timings and multiple Musical Moments, while funerals and memorials tend to be shorter and more structured. Pricing reflects the planning involved and is shown clearly in your quote.

What happens if timings change on the day?

Booking by Musical Moments allows flexibility. Small timing changes are usually easy to accommodate, and we work carefully with families, venues and organisers to ensure everything runs smoothly and respectfully.

Hire a professional bagpiper in Ipswich and across Suffolk for weddings, funerals, memorials, ceremonies, private events, corporate functions and public celebrations. KJ Folk Music provides experienced Highland bagpipers in Suffolk, trusted for formal occasions, traditional services and high-profile events.

 

We regularly supply bagpipers throughout Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Sudbury, Stowmarket and surrounding Suffolk towns and villages. Performances can include formal repertoire, traditional Highland piping and modern selections, delivered with professionalism, reliability and care for the significance of each event.