Established in 1999, the City of Bristol Pipes & Drums celebrate our 25th anniversary this year. A self-funded volunteer band with charitable objectives, our members receive no remuneration for band performances and, as the City of Bristol’s adopted pipe band, perform without charge at civic events in and around the city including the Annual Remembrance Day Parade, one of the biggest in the country. 

The band takes bookings to play at festivals, street parades and other events, home and abroad, and fees charged for these performances go towards maintenance including: equipment, instruments, rehearsal-hall rent, uniforms and travel costs.

The band is open to all, and while some of us have Scottish roots, more than half of our members are from the South West. Experienced Pipers and Drummers studying or working in the area will find a ready welcome.

Beginners in piping or drumming are also very welcome. We will help with instruction but we expect considerable application and you will need to be able to travel independently (or with a parent / guardian) to the practice sessions which are held each week in central Bristol.

The whole band can be hired for festivals, carnivals or sporting events. We have a busy program, with bookings often made up to a year in advance.

You can also contact the band to hire individual pipers and drummers or a small band for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries or funerals.