Playing for Success

The massed pipes and drums of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo provide a soundtrack over the city of Edinburgh each August. For many tourists as well as locals, the Tattoo is one of the many must-see events in the city, along with the huge variety of shows, concerts and performances of the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Fringe.

As a small child, it was watching the musicians performing in front of the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle that inspired me to take up the bagpipes.

Learning to play them at school was fun and it opened lots of opportunities for travel, both within Scotland and internationally on exchanges. The band was also a great social hub at school.

I then joined a senior performing band outwith school when I was just 14, which gave me a great inspiration to practise as I was the youngest by at least ten years.

In my final year of school, I won a business studies prize and was making pocket money from playing bagpipes at weddings and Scottish shows. Not wanting to move to a different city where I would need to develop new connections and a reputation for events, I chose to remain in Edinburgh and study business at the University.

My studies certainly helped to ground me in business and helped develop my entrepreneurial spirit.

Straight after attaining my degree in 2001, I travelled the world playing bagpipes on the streets as a busker. I then started working as an entertainer on cruise ships.

Launch of Reel Time Events

A friend helped me to launch my own website (www.roddythepiper.com) which soon led to direct bookings and with demand increasing, I founded Reel Time Events (www.reel-time.co.uk) in 2005.

This enabled us to offer our clients bigger and better events - they no longer just wanted a piper, but they were looking for dancers, pipe bands, and so on. The business quickly grew, with us offering more and more services and clients booking packages.

We had to take on office staff to take care of bookings and to tailor our events to what the customer required. We have now been in business for almost 20 years, offering everything from bagpipers and ceilidh bands, to whisky tasting experiences and cocktail bars.

Over the years I have loved being involved in so many events both here in the UK and internationally. From addressing the haggis on a beach in the Maldives to a Burns Supper in the Philippines, it’s been so much fun although playing in a full kilt in 38 degrees centigrade and 90 per cent humidity is certainly challenging!

It’s also been rewarding too. For instance, I performed at Burns Nights in Kyiv for 16 years before the situation became unstable. These events helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for orphanages there, and we also had to chance to play and provide some Scottish entertainment for the children.

I certainly feel very fortunate that I have been able to follow my passion and make it a business as it’s wonderful to be paid for what you love!

Breaking stereotypes

Through Reel Time Events, I have helped a generation of incredible musicians and entertainers to reach a new market by helping to market and contract their services. This involved breaking stereotypes, making new music, and creating a lot of fun.

Bagpipers were traditionally known for being older men playing solo or in a pipe band. I thought it was time that a young, competition-level bagpiper could get into the market. We therefore introduced bagpipes to the ceilidh scene which had been traditionally fronted by the accordion. Dancers joined our journey too, combining a sense of tradition with a modern, young vibe bringing their choreographed routine which bridges highland and contemporary dance.

Having a can-do attitude for clients’ requests, however off the wall has definitely led to success. Earlier this year for example, we performed Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story’, in a pipe band formation with sequinned kilts to celebrate the start of her Eras tour in Edinburgh.

Continued links with the University

My own graduation was a really memorable day and at Reel Time Events, we are proud to be able to help entertain University of Edinburgh graduates at their graduation ceremonies each year. This includes playing pipes and drums as guests arrive at the McEwan Hall and piping in the Principal’s procession. We also play at graduation receptions including the Business School events.

Perhaps one of my most memorable moments was piping for a University of Edinburgh graduation ceremony in the People’s Palace in Beijing. Along with the Principal and a large delegation of staff to officiate, both myself and a ceilidh band were invited to join them to add some Scottish music.

Speaking to the Principal after one of the ceremonies, he suggested that we should do the same in Edinburgh. As a result, we’ve been involved in graduations ever since!

Although it’s now over 20 years since I graduated, I really value that my ties with the University continue not just as an alum, but in terms of connecting with current students and alumni at celebratory events throughout the year.

Just as I was inspired as a child to take up the bagpipes, I hope through Reel Time Events, we inspire students and alumni to continue with Scottish traditions such as an annual Burns Supper or a spot of ceilidh dancing when they return home!