A Scottish Piper in Switzerland
I moved to Switzerland in 2011 to further my career as an engineer, and I brought my Bagpipes with me. Since coming here I’ve enjoyed time playing with Swiss Midland Pipe Band and more recently with the Swiss Champions, The Pipes and Drums of Basel.
I enjoy playing as a solo artist and have done many events over the years. I love my job as I’m always finding something new. Each wedding I play at is always unique.
I always like to give the best of myself. A piper should sound nice and be well-tuned but must also be well presented for photographs and video.
When I’m not playing Bagpipes, I’m teaching Bagpipes. The rise in popularity of piping has seen an increase in both children and adult learners and I now enjoy the challenge of both.
I take a step by step approach to my teaching and I try to separate the technique of blowing a bagpipe from that of playing a melody. An approach which gets my pupils playing bagpipes from a very early stage.