Spud the Piper

Description

Highland bagpiper Spud also known as Calum Fraser, from Aviemore in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Spud has played the bagpipes at weddings and other events throughout Scotland, the UK and throughout the world at Burns Suppers and St Andrew's day events.

I started playing the chanter at the age of 8 and was taught to play the pipes by father Pipe Major Ian Fraser who was in the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders. Throughout my twenties I piped at lots of weddings, parties and other events. One common request is for me to pipe at funerals.

In March 1999, I was approached by a local hotelier, Mr Peter Steinle, from the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore. He suggested it would be a good idea for me to become a professional piper as there was a lot of work in the area. I was also approached by several local businesses who were interested in making regular bookings.

I approached the local enterprise company for a grant to help me get started and it took off from there. I have since been named one of the Tartan Army's Official Pipers and did a great deal of traveling with them including a trip to Prague.

I do a great deal of playing in Speyside, which is famous for being Malt Whisky country. Valued customers are, Chivas Bros, Glenlivet Distillery, Ballindalloch Castle and the Craigellachie Hotel, to name but a few.

Over the years I have played In Kazakhstan, Moscow, China, Bankok, Canada, Washington, New York, Amsterdam and St. Magnus's Cathedral, Orkney.

In 2005 I was playing in Thailand for Chivas Regal promoting the "100 Pipers" brand when I was bitten by a spider which resulted in a trip to Chiang Mai hospital for antidotes. The tour was however a success and 100 Pipers is now the best selling dram in Asia.

And so to the present, after playing the pipes at hundreds of weddings I finally got married myself to Karen in Alvie Church near Aviemore.

If you need any further information, or would like to enquire my availability, please do not hesitate to contact me.