Military Bagpiper | Professional Military Bagpiper for Hire
Military Bagpiper in Peterborough, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and Across the UK
Bagpiper for Military Events, Mess Dinners & Ceremonial Occasions
The powerful sound of the Great Highland Bagpipes has been part of military tradition for centuries. Whether you're organising a regimental dinner, Officers' Mess event, Sergeants' Mess, Warrant Officers' Mess, Remembrance service, Poppy Appeal, Armed Forces Day celebration or military parade, a professional Highland bagpiper brings authenticity, ceremony and atmosphere to the occasion.
At KJ Folk Music, we provide professional military bagpipers throughout Peterborough, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, the UK and internationally.
Founder Kathryn Johnstone is an experienced Highland bagpiper and was Pipe Major of the 2015 Birmingham Military Tattoo, leading the massed pipes and drums before an audience of over 15,000 people. When Kathryn is already booked, she personally recommends and coordinates trusted military-standard bagpipers from her UK-wide network, ensuring every performance meets the highest professional standards.
Whether you require a solo piper for a formal ceremony or entertainment for an entire military evening, we can help.
A Note About Our Military Experience
Kathryn Johnstone is a civilian Highland bagpiper who learned military-style piping through local pipe bands based at RAF Wittering, where she received traditional pipe band training in military drill, marching and ceremonial performance during her youth. She is not a serving or former military piper.
Many members of the wider KJ Folk Music team, however, are serving military musicians or military veterans who also have Kathryn's extensive experience performing at military ceremonies, parades, mess functions and commemorative events. This allows us to provide performers whose background best suits the requirements of your event, while ensuring every booking is coordinated to the same high professional standard.
Our Military Bagpipe Services
Every military event is different, so we offer a range of services to suit your requirements.
Complete Military Entertainment Package
Looking for entertainment for the whole evening?
Combine your military bagpiper with:
✓ Live ceilidh band ✓ Professional ceilidh caller ✓ Burns Night entertainment ✓ Playlist disco ✓ Professional DJ ✓ Folk band ✓ Acoustic musicians
Everything organised through one trusted company.
Military Ceremony Bagpiper
Ideal for:
✓ Remembrance services ✓ Armistice Day ✓ Poppy Appeal events ✓ Memorial services ✓ Wreath laying ceremonies
Your bagpiper can perform:
✓ Guest arrival music ✓ Parade marches ✓ National anthems ✓ Hymns and reflective music ✓ Ceremony closing music
Mess Dinner Bagpiper
Perfect for Officers' Mess, Sergeants' Mess, Warrant Officers' Mess and regimental dinners.
Your piper can perform:
✓ Guest arrival ✓ Loyal Toast ✓ Dining traditions ✓ Formal entrances ✓ Evening entertainment
Burns Night Bagpiper
Many of our military bookings are for Burns Night celebrations.
A Highland bagpiper creates the perfect atmosphere for:
✓ Piping in the haggis ✓ Address to the Haggis ✓ Traditional Scottish music ✓ Guest arrival ✓ Toasts
Many military clients also upgrade to a full ceilidh with live band and caller, creating an evening of dancing and entertainment after the formal Burns Night supper.
Book a Military Bagpiper
Whether you're searching for:
✓ Military bagpiper near me ✓ Military piper for hire ✓ Military bagpiper Peterborough ✓ Military bagpiper Cambridge ✓ Military bagpiper Northampton ✓ Highland bagpiper Northamptonshire ✓ Military bagpiper Lincolnshire ✓ Burns Night bagpiper ✓ Remembrance Day bagpiper ✓ Professional military bagpipe hire
KJ Folk Music can help.
From intimate mess dinners to large public military events, we provide experienced professional Highland bagpipers for every occasion.
Professional Military Bagpipers You Can Trust
When you book through KJ Folk Music, you receive:
✓ Experienced professional performers ✓ Reliable and punctual service ✓ Flexible timings
✓ Traditional Highland dress ✓ Full military ceremonial experience where appropriate ✓ Fully insured musicians
✓ Carefully selected performers ✓ East Anglia coverage ✓ UK-wide coverage
✓ International bookings welcomed ✓ Coordination through KJ Folk Music
Our aim is to make organising military music straightforward, professional and stress-free.
Why Choose Highland Bagpipes for a Military Event?
Few instruments are as closely associated with military heritage as the Great Highland Bagpipe.
Its commanding sound has accompanied military ceremonies, commemorations and celebrations for generations, making it the perfect choice for formal occasions and military traditions.
Military bagpipes are ideal for:
✓ Mess dinners ✓ Burns Night suppers ✓ Remembrance services ✓ Armistice Day
✓ Poppy Appeal events ✓ Military funerals ✓ Regimental reunions ✓ Passing Out Parades
✓ Armed Forces Day ✓ Veterans' events ✓ Military weddings ✓ Charity events
Whether you're honouring service, celebrating tradition or entertaining guests, Highland bagpipes create an atmosphere that perfectly suits the occasion.
Looking for More Than Just a Military Bagpiper?
Many military clients book entertainment for an entire evening.
Popular combinations include:
✓ Military bagpiper and ceilidh band ✓ Burns Night entertainment ✓ Live folk band ✓ Professional DJ ✓ Playlist disco ✓ Acoustic folk duo ✓ Violinist ✓ Piper and drummer
Our ceilidhs are particularly popular with military audiences, bringing together guests of all ages for an evening of energetic dancing, laughter and traditional music.
Many of our musicians are multi-instrumentalists, meaning your entertainment could also include fiddle, accordion, guitar, whistle, saxophone or other instruments at your request.
One trusted company can organise your entire evening's entertainment.
When Can a Military Bagpiper Perform?
Every event is different and performances can be tailored around your schedule.
Guest Arrival
Welcome guests with traditional Highland bagpipe music.
Formal Entrance
Perfect for VIP arrivals, dining ceremonies or honoured guests.
During the Event
Music for ceremonies, presentations, speeches or key moments.
Toasts & Traditions
Including the Loyal Toast and Burns Night traditions.
Evening Entertainment
Live performances before or alongside your evening entertainment.
Ceilidh & Dancing
Finish the evening with a live ceilidh band and caller.
Popular Military Bagpipe Music
Music can be tailored to your event.
Popular choices include:
✓ Scotland the Brave ✓ Highland Cathedral ✓ Amazing Grace ✓ Green Hills of Tyrol
✓ When the Battle's O'er ✓ The Black Bear ✓ Flower of Scotland ✓ Skye Boat Song
✓ Flowers of the Forest ✓ A Man's A Man for A' That ✓ Traditional military marches ✓ Regimental tunes
If you have a particular regiment or tune in mind, simply let us know when booking.
Military Bagpipers in Peterborough, Cambridge & Cambridgeshire
KJ Folk Music is based near Peterborough and regularly provides military bagpipers throughout Peterborough, Cambridge and Cambridgeshire.
We regularly cover:
✓ Peterborough ✓ Whittlesey ✓ Cambridge ✓ Ely ✓ Huntingdon
✓ St Neots ✓ March ✓ Wisbech ✓ Chatteris ✓ Ramsey
✓ Stamford ✓ Market Deeping ✓ Oundle ✓ Yaxley ✓ Sawtry
Military Bagpipers in Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire & Rutland
We also regularly perform throughout:
✓ Northampton ✓ Wellingborough ✓ Kettering ✓ Corby ✓ Rushden
✓ Daventry ✓ Towcester ✓ Brackley ✓ Oundle ✓ Higham Ferrers
✓ Grantham ✓ Bourne ✓ Spalding ✓ Sleaford ✓ Lincoln
✓ Oakham ✓ Uppingham ✓ Stamford ✓ Melton Mowbray ✓ Market Harborough
Military Bagpipers in Norfolk & Suffolk
We also regularly provide military bagpipers throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and the wider East Anglia region.
Areas include:
✓ Norwich ✓ King's Lynn ✓ Thetford ✓ Downham Market ✓ Swaffham
✓ Great Yarmouth ✓ Cromer ✓ Ipswich ✓ Bury St Edmunds ✓ Newmarket
✓ Lowestoft ✓ Sudbury ✓ Stowmarket ✓ Woodbridge ✓ Felixstowe
Military Bagpipes Across East Anglia & the UK
KJ Folk Music provides military bagpipe performances throughout:
✓ Peterborough ✓ Cambridge ✓ Cambridgeshire ✓ Northamptonshire ✓ Lincolnshire
✓ Norfolk ✓ Suffolk ✓ Leicestershire ✓ Rutland ✓ Bedfordshire
✓ Hertfordshire ✓ London ✓ East Anglia ✓ The wider UK ✓ International events
Thanks to Kathryn Johnstone's trusted network of professional Highland bagpipers, we can coordinate military bagpipe performances across the UK.
Every performer is carefully selected and personally recommended by KJ Folk Music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Hire Just a Military Bagpiper?
Absolutely. Many clients book a solo Highland bagpiper for mess dinners, ceremonies, parades, Burns Night events and Remembrance services.
Do You Only Perform at Military Bases?
Not at all. We regularly perform at hotels, village halls, museums, civic events, veterans' clubs, charities and private venues hosting military-themed occasions.
Can You Perform at Burns Night?
Yes. Burns Night is one of our busiest times of year. We can provide a solo Highland bagpiper, or organise a complete evening including a live ceilidh band, experienced caller and optional disco or professional DJ.
Can You Perform for Armistice Day or the Poppy Appeal?
Yes. We regularly perform for Armistice Day commemorations, Remembrance Sunday, Poppy Appeal events, wreath-laying ceremonies and memorial services.
Can You Perform Military Marches or Regimental Tunes?
Where possible, yes. If you have a specific regimental tune or military piece in mind, let us know when booking and we'll discuss the options.
Can You Provide a Military Bagpiper Near Peterborough, Cambridge or Northampton?
Yes. KJ Folk Music is based near Peterborough and regularly provides military bagpipers throughout Peterborough, Cambridge, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and the wider East Anglia region.
Can You Provide Military Entertainment for the Whole Evening?
Yes. Alongside a Highland bagpiper, we can provide a complete evening of entertainment including a live ceilidh band, experienced ceilidh caller, Burns Night entertainment, acoustic musicians, playlist disco or professional DJ, making KJ Folk Music a one-stop solution for military events and regimental celebrations.