Andrew Paton The Highland Bagpiper

17/06/2026

'C**k o' the North'

A popular 6/8 march amongst pipers, but did you know who the C**k of the North was? He was Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon, the Marquis of Huntly and he died on this day, the 17th June 1827.

The Gordon Highlanders regiment used this tune as their regimental quick march.

The location I'm playing at has a rough connection to this tune, could you guess what it is?

14/06/2026

The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain

On this day in 1982, the 2nd Bn Scots Guards had fought a hard won battle and were amongst those that retook Mount Tumbledown. Their Pipe Major at the time, PM James Riddle,l is famously said to have composed this tune on the back of a ration packet, the original manuscript can still be seen in the . It is said that the Pipe Major first played the tune atop Mount Tumbledown at the conclusion of the Battle on the morning of the 14th June.

12/06/2026

The Heroes of St Valery

On the morning of the 12th June 1940, the gallant Highland division were forced to surrender in the face of overwhelming German forces. The Highland division, comprising of most of the Highland Regiments within the British Army, alongside the French 10th Army had covered the retreat and evacuation of allied troops at Dunkirk. It is said that there was not a town or village in the Highlands that wasn't affected by the loss of so many fighting men.
This tune 'The Heroes of Saint Valery' was composed by Pipe Major Donald MacLean of the Seaforth Highlanders who was present at and captured at the battle.

11/06/2026

Back in March I was over at to play for Lucy and Ben's wedding. My first visit here despite it being fairly local.

Tartan - Black Watch

10/06/2026

07/06/2026

Another weekly look back at weddings through the years.

1. West Midlands, 2021. My first visit to this amazing venue and one I would very much like to play at again. Tartan - Ancient Cameron of Erracht. Photo by
2. St Bartholomew's, Blackburn, Lancashire, 2021. One of many surprise performances I'm asked to play at. As always, the detail is in the planning! Tartan - MacLaine of Lochbuie.
3. North Yorkshire, 2022. What and amazing venue, my only visit to date though🙁Tartan - Hunting MacLean of Duart.
4. Cheshire, 2023. A very hot day and the groom and groomsmen were all pipers from Scotland, so no pressure then😂Tartan - Black Watch in day dress.
5. Cumbria, 2023. Another venue I have played at a few times. Always well looked after by the amazing team which makes delivering a memorable performance for the couples that bit easier. Tartan - Ancient Gordon.
6. Hertfordshire, 2024. This was a memorable wedding as Vicky and I had played in the same band before she moved south with work. It was an absolute honour to play for her on her wedding day. Tartan - Muted MacDonald of Clanranald.
7. Carrog, North Wales, 2025. I love this shot by the incredibly talented Martin Jones photography Wem (it won't let me tag him, so do a bit of searching and you'll see how great he is!) Tartan - Hunting MacLean of Duart.

Congratulations to those that celebrated their anniversary this week, here's to many more!🥂

04/06/2026

Another March Wedding and another trip to the wonderful for the marriage of Lauren and Daniel. Unusually for me, this was an evening reception performance only and the guests were treated to the surprise of the bagpipes as they arrived for the evening. Moddershall looked amazing in the early evening as the sun set, giving a magical feel to the place.

04/06/2026

02/06/2026

Sharing some professional shots from past weddings.

These were from the wedding of Soroya and Nick at the wonderful in Shropshire, and was one of the first times I wore my new tartan of the Muted MacDonald of Clanranald made by the amazingly talented Troy. for some reason, I've swapped the Balmoral out for a standard Glengarry. What do you think, should the Balmoral make a return?

As usual, I've not got the photographers details, so if you do recognise them as yours, please let me know and I will credit them.

Tartan - Muted MacDonald of Clanranald.