I have been appointed personal uilleann family piper to a Scottish Baron. Next performance Orleans Cathederal November.Is there anyone else holding the position of personal family piper as in the past times or have I just revived an old tradition?
Uilliam
Well done. Now what exactly does a family piper have to do?
Edited: Apologies for any offence caused.
Is that a job with regular payement?
If yes, this sounds excellent. I’ll encourage some rich people here to revive this tradition.
Miki
What adorable outfits!
seems as if ive been personal piper to this family for years:
now to the real response:
In one sense, no. It’s frequently that I will bury one individual, only to marry both of his daughters, celebrate the nephew’s graduation, & the wife’s retirement in the next few years.
OR, play zampogna for the same 3 Calabrian families every Christmas eve:
OR, have the same multinational financial group hire me & my boys whenever they throw a shindig in town.
So, to be a ‘family piper’ in that sense is not uncommon.
But personal piper to a titled dude/family, lets hope you are in the forefront of a trend 
About time they openend up their coffers again for us struggling artistes!
Conratulations!! Do we get to call you ‘sir’?
As one professional to another Uilliam, I will throw a word of caution out regarding enmeshment with one client. 'Tis better to be a rolling stone amico. Enjoy the moment: It looks real good on paper! ( & in picture too!) Make a ton of dough, tour France for free, rub some elbows; yet always bear in mind that the rich DO have their whims, & tire quite easily when charms wear thin. 
Bon Chance. And get a cabrette.
PS Think I have that exact same dirk, doublet, sporran & belt. 
I guess this is a bit like being Court Jester to the King
The gentleman in the “vampire cape” is a member of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Jerusalem to which Uilliam has been initiated for his good deeds to charity.Well done Uilliam.
PS.Are you Regimental or Civilian?
I am my family’s personal piper, they choose not to accord it the same level of honor though! 
Nicely done Uilliam!
as long as you don’t start having to become the family lorry scrubber, then you’re doing alright by me!
Brazencane wrote:
as long as you don’t start having to become the family lorry scrubber, then you’re doing alright by me!
start? 
Dear oh dear guys…not family piper as in playing for my Auntie Jean in Aberdeen… but family or if ye like Clan Piper to a Chief.Back in the days of Lord Fitzgerald et al there was particular rivalry between the great families of Scotland and Ireland to have a personal piper.The Uilleann pipes, being considered more melodic and sweet music than the Piob Mhor, was keenly sought after by the Gentry.That is one explanation for the term gentleman piper that ye hear although some would disagree.No matter, the tradition died oot with regard the Uilleann pipes, partly I suppose, because the Uilleann pipes themselves nearly died oot.Anyways as is usually the case whit goes round comes round and I was asked by the Baron if I would like to be his personal piper.It was my particular pleasure to accept and ressurect a fine tradition.I do not get paid nor do I want to be paid.Any money I make playing the pipes I donate to charity and has been the case for a long time now.Most of the great and good that I know, far from being idle rich, are in fact generous benefactors of many good and charitable causes.General stereotyping ill behoves nearly everything.Far frae being a court jester my efforts have promoted the Irish pipes and helped those less fortunate.I am happy to be in a position of good health, and whilst I am able to do so, to promote Irish music to the benefaction of folk who have most probably never heard of Ireland nor ever will..
So ifn any of ye have a spare dime or buck then I know of some great causes to support. 
ps Civilian for the past 20 years.Enough ‘military’ in LFB to last me two lifetimes thanks.
Uilliam
pps as it is The feast of All hallows soon can we please leave the vampire jokes where they belong…on the V p thread 
I can only imagine the fight that would have ensued had I made THAT comment!
Ach are ye still sulking ye poor wee soul..?If it helps I am sorry if I have upset ye in the past and there isnae much I can do about that now as it is done.I can however treat ye wi a bit o respect in the future.Mea Culpa. 
Uilliam
Hi Uilliam,
The Duke of Northumberland has a family piper, so at least the tradition is maintained on that side of the border with Northumbrian smallpipes:
http://www.northumbrianpipes.com/DucalPipers.htm
I assume that its still a living tradition with the Great Highland bagpipe.
Hey, put the original picture back up! I thought it was pretty neat.
Hey Khan Thank ye for that article it was fascinating reading.The Highland pipes tradition is of course strong and I am delighted to see the Northumbrian pipes so well placed.I think mine is the reintroduction of the Uilleann pipes to the scene.Prince Charles Stewart of course had great funding and support frae Irish merchants and Soldiery on his, alack, failed march on London to regain his inheritance.(Thankye Lord Murray for yer ineptitude and cowardice)O’Sullivan his captain urging the onward march whilst Murray wanted to retreat to Scotland.Murray won and the result is as they say history.Charles commented on such sweet musik coming frae a bag o wind when he was entertained on Pastoral pipes in Edinburgh.
As fer the fotie..Nah I don’t want it on show..it does not do to over inflate oneself and methinks I was a bit guilty of that, besides it is unfair on the baron and he dosnae desreve the quips re vampirism.So no fotie, content yersel instead wi Danny and let it satisfy the jokers in this particular pack.Ye know who ye are.
Uilliam
Ach are ye still sulking ye poor wee soul..?If it helps I am sorry if I have upset ye in the past and there isnae much I can do about that now as it is done.I can however treat ye wi a bit o respect in the future.Mea Culpa.
Hello liam… sulking is the wrong word. I’m often working 50-60 hours a week and doing repairs on my home right now. At best, I only have time to briefly scan the forum.
On reflection, you’re quite right. I’ve edited my post and apologise for any offence caused.
PJ no offence taken..
Tony ,water under the bridge..try and work a little less..ye work to live not the other way around.
Uilliam
Congratulations, Uilliam.
Personally, I think it’s fantastic that you have been awarded this position. It’s an honourable position and you should be honoured for it. Reviving old traditions like this is something we could have more of. Do us proud, man.
Two thumbs up from across the big water.
Mark