Video is the best way to hear the pipes and see how Ryan handles a room. Each clip below points to the booking path that fits that kind of moment.
Veterans, civic, and remembrance ceremonies
Lancaster, England — May 8, 2020
Commemorating the 75th anniversary of victory in Europe during the Second World War.
Lockdown in England was hard. With everything cancelled, including the VE 75 anniversary, I was asked to play over the hills overlooking the town to honour the service and sacrifice of the entire Second World War generation.
Plan a Veterans CeremonyFormal ceremonies, civic events, and dignitary moments
Lancaster Castle, England
Celebrating Her Majesty The Queen's seventy years of service to the people of Great Britain.
On February 6, 2022, Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking seventy years of service. It was my honour to be invited to play at Lancaster Castle in celebration.
Ask About a Formal EventChoose The Occasion
A bagpiper can serve very different jobs: quiet remembrance, a formal processional, a civic ceremony, or a high-energy entrance. Start with the setting closest to yours.
Amazing Grace, Going Home, Flowers of the Forest, and careful timing for chapel exits, gravesides, and processions.
Funeral piping details →
Processionals, recessionals, cocktail-hour arrivals, and Highland Cathedral-style ceremonial moments.
Wedding music options →
Arrival sets, featured tunes, Burns Night, St. Patrick's Day, civic ceremonies, parties, and formal gatherings.
Event performance formats →
Battle's O'er, veteran honors, VFW and Legion programs, school assemblies, and remembrance services.
Veterans ceremony planning →
Tune Guidance
You do not need to know the repertoire before reaching out. These are common starting points by event type, and Ryan can recommend a tighter set once the timing and setting are clear.
Slow airs and laments usually work best. If the family is unsure, one strong tune performed at the right moment is often enough.
Amazing Grace
Most familiar and widely requested for memorials.
Going Home
Quiet, reflective, and well suited to a final farewell.
Highland Cathedral
Ceremonial and expansive when the setting calls for more lift.
Flowers of the Forest
Traditional lament with a solemn Scottish character.
Danny Boy
A strong Irish choice when it has family meaning.
Wedding selections can be stately for the ceremony and brighter for the recessional or reception entrance.
Highland Cathedral
A strong ceremony choice for a formal entrance.
Mairi's Wedding
Upbeat and celebratory for recessional or reception moments.
Scotland the Brave
Recognizable and energetic for a send-off or entrance.
Highland Laddie
Traditional march energy without feeling too heavy.
Auld Lang Syne
Good when family heritage or gathering symbolism matters.
These events need restraint, precision, and the right ceremonial tone. Ryan's Lancaster Castle and Battle's O'er background is especially relevant here.
The Last Post
Appropriate for remembrance and military settings.
When the Battle's O'er
Strong fit for Armistice, Veterans Day, and remembrance events.
Battle of the Somme
Traditional military pipe tune with historic weight.
Patriotic Set
Useful when the event calls for American service recognition.
For social events, the pipes can be a featured moment, a surprise entrance, or a short set that gives the room energy.
Scotland the Brave
Instant recognition and high energy.
The Wild Rover
Irish pub and party energy.
Flower of Scotland
Strong Scottish identity for Burns Night and heritage events.
Auld Lang Syne
Natural fit for Hogmanay, Burns Night, and closings.
Irish Washerwoman
Bright, lively, and familiar for Irish-themed events.
A look at the range of Ryan's work, from formal ceremonial settings and Lancaster Castle portraits to Burns Night gatherings and public performances.
Credential
Formal Highland portrait from Ryan's years at Lancaster Castle
Professional
Formal Highland dress with a historic ceremonial backdrop
Heritage
A polished ceremonial presence for formal occasions
Presence
Traditional dress, punctual presence, and a polished arrival
Ceremony
A restrained ceremonial look for meaningful occasions
Live Event
Big outdoor moments with pipes and drums
Entertainer
Crowd energy, processionals, and public-event presence
Celebration
Festivals, patios, parties, and civic events
Approachable
Traditional sound with a warm, approachable presence
What To Expect
For weddings, funerals, parties, and civic events, the right performance is about timing, tone, presence, and a clear sense of the moment.
Tone for the occasion
The same instrument can feel solemn, ceremonial, triumphant, or playful depending on tune choice, pacing, and how the moment is staged.
A confident live presence
Ryan is comfortable leading a procession, hosting a Burns Night moment, talking with guests, and making the room feel included.
Professional and approachable
Full Highland dress, careful coordination, and a warm presence help the day feel polished without ever feeling stiff.
Tell Ryan what kind of moment you want to create: solemn, celebratory, surprising, formal, or full of personality.
Start a Booking Request