HIRE A PIPER
  • FORMER WORLD & AUSTRALIAN GRADE ONE PIPE BAND CHAMPION
  • FROM $250 FOR ALL MELBOURNE SUBURBS
  • AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, BIRTHDAYS, CORPORATE FUNCTIONS

My name is Ross Bates and I am available to play the bagpipes in Melbourne and Country Victoria. I have been playing the bagpipes as a soloist and in bands for the last 45 years and have a wealth of professional experience, with 36 years as a professional piper, including 15 years with the Victoria Police Pipe Band.

Among my achievements in piping:
  • Receiving the Advanced Piping Certificate (Australian Pipe Band Association) and the Adjudicators Certificate (Australian Pipe Band Association).
  • Performing in concerts with artists such as André Rieu, The Seekers and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
  • Participating in the 2018 Basel Military Tattoo in Switzerland, with the Rats Of Tobruk Memorial Pipes & Drums.




Leading the Bridal Party to the Polly Woodside, Melbourne.

Photo courtesy of Jackson Loria.


WEDDINGS
A solo piper at a Wedding is a classic and cost-effective way of providing formal and informal music before, during and after the ceremony.

Without the need for amplification, I am easily able to situate myself in an ideal location relative to the guests and the ceremony.

I am happy to perform at any part of the ceremony and can recommend suitable music if required.

I have played at 100s of Weddings, and will make every effort to make the bagpipes a special part of your day.

I can provide any or all of the following:
    • Play an assortment of tunes prior to the arrival of the Bride.
    • Lead the Bridal car into the Wedding venue.
    • Play for the Processional. This involves piping the Bride and or Bridal Party down the aisle. Piping the Groom down the aisle is also an option. Depending on your preference and or the layout of the venue, I may either lead or play from a static position.
    • Play a medley of suitable tunes during the Signing of the Wedding Register.
    • Play during the Unity Candle or similar ceremony.
    • Play for the Recessional. As with the Processional, I may either lead or play from a static position. The music chosen here is usually more upbeat in nature than what is used earlier in the ceremony.
    • Play another assortment of tunes after the ceremony.
    • Take part in any photographs.
    • At the Reception, lead the Newlyweds to their table.
    The following is a typical example of what many couples choose:
    • Play a variety of tunes for 15 minutes as guests arrive.
    • Play Highland Cathedral for the Processional.
    • Play Flower Of Scotland and Skye Boat Song for the Signing.
    • Play Marie's Wedding and Highland Laddie for the Recessional.
    • Play another variety of tunes for 15 minutes afterwards.
    • Take part in photos if requested.
    That is just one example and you may wish for for something completely different.

    More tunes can be found on my repertoire page.
     



    Leading the Bridal Party at the Immigration Museum, Melbourne.

    Photo courtesy of Leo Farrell.


    FUNERALS

    A piper at a Funeral adds an air of grace and dignity to the occasion that few instruments can match.

    It is important that the piper is sensitive to the wishes of the bereaved, hence I am more than willing to play or learn any special tunes and to fit in with your requirements. I can also provide suggestions if required.

    I have played at over 1500 Funerals, and am regularly employed by Melbourne and Country Victoria Funeral providers, who value my reliability and quality of work.

    Depending on the format chosen for the service, I can provide any of the following:

    • Play a selection of suitable tunes as mourners arrive at the chapel.
    • Lead the casket from the hearse into the chapel.
    • Lead the family into the chapel.
    • Play during the reflection or photo presentation.
    • Play during the committal as the casket disappears from view.
    • Lead the family out of the chapel and continue to play as mourners gather outside.

    If there is to be a burial:

    • Lead the casket from the chapel to the hearse.
    • Lead the hearse away from the chapel.
    • Lead the hearse to the gravesite at the cemetery.
    • Lead the casket from the hearse to the gravesite.
    • Play during the committal.
    • Play a selection of tunes afterwards, usually at a distance.
    The following is a selection of tunes often chosen for a Funeral service:

    Abide With Me, Amazing Grace, Caledonia, Danny Boy, Flowers Of The Forest, Gift Of A Thistle, Going Home, Flower Of Scotland, Highland Cathedral, My Home, Mull Of Kintyre, Scotland The Brave, Green Hills Of Tyrol (Scottish Soldier), Oft In The Stilly Night, Scotland The Brave, Skye Boat Song, Sleep Dearie Sleep, The Dark Island, The Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended, The Gael, The Mist Covered Mountains, Ye Banks And Braes.

    More tunes can be found on my repertoire page.



     


    Piping for a Funeral in Kyneton.


    UNIFORM

    The uniform worn will be as per the photos on this website, including the traditional Scottish kilt. The available tartans include: Royal Stewart, Ramsay Blue, Hamilton Grey, MacKenzie and MacDonald, as illustrated below. Also available is Murray Of Atholl, which is my family tartan.


                  

                         


    SAMPLE SOUND FILES

    The following sound files are a selection of tunes played on the Blair Chanter.

    My broader repertoire can be found here. I am also happy to play special requests that may not be listed.

    Please note that any tune can be played to suit any length of time and at a preferred tempo if required.
    ABIDE WITH ME

    AIDA TRIUMPHAL MARCH

    AMAZING GRACE

    BASEL TATTOO WALTZ

    FLOWER OF SCOTLAND

    FLOWERS OF THE FOREST

    GLASGOW POLICE PIPERS

    GOING HOME

    HERE COMES THE BRIDE

    HIGHLAND CATHEDRAL

    IAIN RUAIDH'S LAMENT

    JAMESON'S REEL

    MEGALOMANIA

    MULL OF KINTYRE

    MURRAY'S FANCY WALTZ

    MY HEART WILL GO ON

    ODE TO JOY

    ON THE TURNING AWAY

    SCOTLAND THE BRAVE

    SKYE BOAT SONG

    SMOKIN' IN THE KITCHEN

    THE BLACK BEAR

    THE BROWN HAIRED MAIDEN

    THE DAY THOU GAVEST, LORD IS ENDED

    THE FOXHUNTER'S JIG & WELCOME THE PIPER

    THE HEN'S MARCH

    THE MUCKIN' O' GEORDIE'S BYRE & A 100 PIPERS

    THE PARTING GLASS

    THE ROSE

    TRUMPET VOLUNTARY

    WHEN THE PIPER PLAYS
     



    With the Rats Of Tobruk Memorial Pipe Band, at the 2018 Basel Military Tattoo,  Switzerland.


    Ross Bates
    0411 168 146

    rabates1@live.com

    ABN: 24 591 526 576

    Website created and maintained by Ross Bates

    Last updated 11/11/2026

    Copyright © 2005 - 2026 Ross Bates