Scottish Bagpiper - Spud the Piper

Well I have just come back from a thoroughly enjoyable lunchtime meeting with the legend that is Spud the Piper!

For those of you who do not know Spud, shame on you! He is a world famous Bagpiper, having piped for Madonna, Jamie Lee Curtis, and (allegedly!) Mark Owen from Take That at his recent wedding at Cawdor Castle.

He began playing the pipes aged 8, and has been working as a professional Piper since 1999. He averages 65 wedding per year - globally. As well as weddings he also works for many whiskey distillers, included Diageo (who make Bell’s, J&B, and Johnnie Walker). He also works 3 months of the year in the Far East for Chivas Brothers Pernod Ricard (who make The Glenlivet, Aberlour and Strathisla). This is during our winter months though, so he can be here for Scotland’s summer wedding season. On top of that, he also pipes 3 times per week in Speyside Distillery. Phew - I am exhausted just writing about this man!

Although Spud does tend to pipe traditional Scottish music, he is open to suggestions from Brides-to-Be, and will do his best to accommodate them. For example, he piped “Like a Virgin” for Madonna as she came off the plane at Inverness Airport for her Highland wedding to Guy Richie!

It is tradition for a Bride to offer her Piper a drink at her wedding. Once Spud has piped the newlyweds to the Top Table, he will take a drink from the Quaich. The Quaich is a special kind of shallow two-handled drinking cup. It is seen as the Cup of Friendship, and it is said to bring you good luck. Tradition has it that this is the cup which is referenced in Auld Lang Syne: “For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne”. This is Sir Sean Connery with a Quaich. (Unfortunately Spud doesn't take Sir Sean with him, just a Quaich!)

Spud is what I’d describe as a ‘hoot’! He is such good fun, I always have a laugh with him when me meet. He is a great character and an asset to any wedding.

For more on Spud, check out our Wedding Music page and his Highland Bagpiper website. For help coordinating your Scottish wedding, contact Premier Wedding Planners Scotland for a free wedding consultation.

Lucy,
Scottish Wedding Planners

Why get married in Scotland?

Gossip columns are currently abuzz with rumours that Take That’s Mark Owen is going to marry in Cawdor Castle in the Highlands of Scotland. If he does, he wont be the first celebrity......Madonna, Stella McCartney, J.K. Rowling, Ashley Judd, even Phillip Schofield, all chose to hold their nuptials in Scotland. And it’s not just celebrities - couples from all over the world are drawn here like these newlyweds at Edinburgh Castle - but what is the appeal of getting married in Scotland?


First and foremost, Scotland is a beautiful and historic place. It has long been known as a romantic venue for a wedding - imagine exchanging your vows in an ancient chapel, a candle-lit vault, a castle by a Loch or a beautiful ruin. With its beautiful countryside and abundance of stunning castles, Scotland offers one of the most romantic settings in the world. It’s weather, yes, can be dubious, but it can be beautiful, and our four distinctive seasons make for beautiful scenery - Flowers starting to bud in the Spring, Summer flowers blooming, leaves turning every shade of yellow, red, orange and brown in Autumn, and a snowy and frosty magical wonderland in the Winter.


The village of Gretna Green in the south of Scotland is has a long historic connection with weddings. It is one of the most popular places in the world to get married, with more than 5000 couples per year doing so. Gretna's famous runaway marriages began in 1753 when an Act of Parliament was passed in England which stated that if both parties to a marriage were not at least 21 years old, then consent to the marriage had to be given by the parents. This Act did not apply in Scotland, where it was possible for boys to get married at 14 and girls at 12 years old with or without parental consent. Therefore couples headed just over the border from England into Scotland so they could get married legally.


Our deep rooted wedding traditions are something that proves popular with couples. From the moving melody of the bagpipes, to our traditional Scottish dress of the Kilt, to our renowned reputation of throwing a great party, couples like to embrace Scottish customs. Couples often opt for a traditional Ceilidh band so they can dance all night to customary dances such as the Gay Gordons and The Dashing White Sergeant.
Getting married?

Why not contact Premier Wedding Planners Scotland to see if we can help you plan your dream day?


Lucy