 www.pipeforscotland.com Piping for Sir Chris Hoy, Great Britain's Greatest Olympian ever, 16th September 2012!!!!!  I was so honoured to pipe for all our Scottish Olympians and Paralympians on the open-top bus parade through the streets of Edinburgh from the City Chambers to the Assembly Rooms where Sir Chris was given the Freedom of the City!!  GREETINGS!! I'm LOUISE MARSHALL. The aim of this site is to promote piping in Scotland!!! Should you wish to hire a Scottish piper and help to promote Scottish Music, Culture and Tradition, then please contact me: Email: louisecantara@aol.com Performing Amazing Grace for Pope Benedict XVI during his State Visit to Edinburgh, September 2010!  I was honoured to be wearing the 'Papal Visit Tartan' - especially designed for this special day! Piping at the launch of the Papal Visit tartan - especially designed for the State visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Scotland, 2010!  Pictured here with Cardinal Keith O'Brien! Getting ready to perform for Her Majesty The Queen at the naming ceremony of Cunard's 'Queen Elizabeth' Ocean liner in SOUTHAMPTON, 11th October 2010!  Her Majesty can be seen boarding 'Queen Elizabeth' for a short tour prior to the naming ceremony. Piping at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, February 2012!  At the press launch of 'Ceilidh Culture' - Edinburgh's traditional music and arts festival! on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council! Piping in ISTANBUL on 21st December 2011 with my 2 piping colleagues Mike and Glyn.  I was delighted to have been asked to provide a piping trio to celebrate the acquisition of the Turkish alchohol company MEY ICKI by the world's largest alcohol company DIAGEO!! Piping at the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches, 9th September 2012!  I was very proud to lead the Lord Provost of Edinburgh from Edinburgh City Chambers to the Mercat Cross, where we welcomed 250 horses and riders taking part in Edinburgh's largest Riding of the Marches to date! Very honoured to perform for Her Majesty The Queen at the naming ceremony of Cunard's 'Queen Elizabeth' ocean liner on 11th October 2010! If you look closely you will see the bottle of wine in position above my head for the christening by Her Majesty!  Performing 'Amazing Grace' along with top Soprano Lesley Garrett, The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and piper Paul Young from the Coldstream Guards!! Piping for rock band 'QUEEN's legendary guitarist and songwriter BRIAN MAY at the gala launch of 'We will Rock you' at the Edinburgh Playhouse, December 2011!  I was completely honoured to play a compilation of Queen's greatest hits that I put together on the bagpipes for Brian, the cast of 'We will Rock You' and the Playhouse audience!!! Piping for Scottish Actor Ewan McGregor at the premiere of his film 'Perfect Sense'!  At the Edinburgh International Film Festival, 18 June 2011! Ewan was delighted when I played the 'Star Wars' theme tune for him as he walked past!!! Piping for Hearts FC on behalf of the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.  Winners of the Scottish Cup 2012! Piping at Glencoe in front of 'Buachaille Etive Mhor', March 2010.  My wonderful photographer is Kerstin Gruenling - see www.ciorstain-phototgraphy.com Relaxing in my dressing room after my performance on stage at the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre!  October 2011! Pictured here with Scottish Singer/Songwriter/Musician Paolo Nutini!  At the launch of the AC Milan Tartan, designed by Michael Lemetti, Glasgow January 2011! Piping at the Bishop's Conference, Edinburgh, November 2010!  Pictured here with top Scottish singer Susan Boyle and my wonderful Scotpipe friends and musicians!! Edinburgh Moonwalk, 11 June 2011  Pictured here with the Moonwalk Boys before performing on stage in front of 12,000 bra-clad power walkers, playing Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance', Rod Stewart's 'If you think I'm Sexy', The Benny Hill Theme Tune and the 'Can Can' on the pipes!!! Piping at the Bishop's conference, Edinburgh 2010!  Wearing the 'Papal Visit Tartan' especially designed for the Papal Visit 2010. The lone piper at 'THE WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, 30th March 2008!  This was amazing - piping on top of 'Haggis Knowe', Arthur's Seat, overlooking the course. Footage of me playing was broadcast worldwide by the BBC! The 'Lone Piper' & 'The Wickerdeer' during the sound check at the Wickerman Festival, 23rd July 2011!  See www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk Performing as the guest opening entertainment at the final of Edinburgh's Got Talent !  at the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, October 2011. Performing as the Lone Piper in front of a 15,000 audience during the burning of the 'Wickerdeer' at the Wickerman Festival 2011!  See www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk Marking the culmination of Scotland's largest Independent Music and Arts Festival!  During the 10th Anniversary celebrations! Pictured here with Chris Dickson of www.Dicksonreid.co.uk on 1st April 2011!  Chris very kindly offered to style my hair for the launch of the 'Edinburgh Moonwalk 2011' to show his support in raising awareness of breast cancer! Teaching movie legend Britt Ekland how to play the bagpipes!  As i piped all guests into the Opening Gala Night of the EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, June 2010! Piping at the launch of the cruise liner season 2011 in Leith!  I provide Scottish music entertainment for all cruise liner arrivals in Edinburgh. Honoured to perform for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI, at St. Bennets (Cardinal O'Brien's residence) in Edinburgh, September 2010.  Wearing the St Ninian Papal Visit tartan - specially designed for the state visit! Performing for Pope Benedict XVI during his State Visit at Cardinal O'Brien's residence, Edinburgh, September 2010.  Pictured here with my Scotpipe friends and musicians - Lesley, Jimmy and Scott! We had an amazing day performing together! You can hear me piping on the soundtrack of 'THE ILLUSIONIST' 2D animation by Sylvain Chomet!  It is a wonderful animation and was the opening film at the EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2010, where I also performed as the lone piper on the red carpet! Piping at the BSkyB Fame Awards Ceremony!  Prestonfield House, Edinburgh, March 2011! Photo Shoot for cover of Ceilidh Culture 2010 brochure!  Celebrating traditional arts in Edinburgh! Piping for the arrival of Sir Sean Connery on the red carpet at the Assembly Rooms Edinburgh!  On behalf of the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2009! Leading the 'Gude Cause' Parade (over 3000 marchers) through the streets of Edinburgh, 10 October 2009! This was a very proud moment!, wearing the suffragette colours - green, white and violet!  The 'Gude Cause' was formed to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Women's suffrage movement procession along Princes Street in 1909! Pictured here with Fiona Hyslop, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, and Sarah Boyack MSP, marching behind the 'Gude Cause' Banner!! Pedalitpink - raising awareness of breast cancer!  February 2010 on behalf of Breast Cancer Care! Performing at the Edinburgh Canal Festival 2010!  Pictured here with Scottish Crime Writer Ian Rankin! What a fantastic day! Piping on behalf of the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2010!  Pictured here piping outside our Scottish pub 'Ghillie Dhu's' in Edinburgh, as I await the arrival of Sir Sean Connery! Piping at the Edinburgh Moonwalk 2010 - Mardi Gras theme!!!  Pictured here alongside Presenter Lorraine Kelly, June 2010! Piping at the launch of Ceilidh Culture, February 2009.  On behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council Piping on the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh, April 08!  To welcome passengers from a cruiseliner to Scotland! Piping for the arrival and departure of the iconic 'Queen Elizabeth II' (QE2), South Queensferry, 7th October 2008!  This was a historic event - this was the last time the QE2 will sadly ever be in Scottish waters. At the end of year, she is to be decommisioned and transformed into a luxury floating hotel in Dubai. Piping for the arrival of a cruiseliner in Leith, May 2010.  MInus my Glengarry hat, as my dog decided to eat it that morning and found it at the bottom of the garden! T.V./Radio Presenter/Singer ALED JONES and I, (after giving him and guests, Barry and Jan, a bagpipe lesson)  whilst being filmed by the BBC for 'Escape to the Country', April 2009! The last piper to play for the QE2 in Scottish Waters, as she sets sail down the Firth of Forth for the last time on 7th October 2008!  Passengers enjoyed being serenaded by some well-known Scottish tunes whilst reminiscing about very special times on board the QE2 over the years. I was extremely honoured to have been asked to play on the open-deck of the QE2 as she set sail and also to play in the 'Grand Lounge' later that evening for all the guests on board the World's Most Famous Cruiseliner - 'The Queen Elizabeth II'.!! Piping at the Edinburgh Marathon - 23 May 2010!  Well done to all taking part - I enjoyed entertaining runners and spectators for the third year running! Piping Hibs F.C. from the City Chambers, Edinburgh, to their open-top bus!  Ready for the parade of the cup down to Easter Road! Piping at the launch of the cruise liner season in Leith, May 2010!  Pictured here with Miss Scotland 2010, Katherine Brown! Giving Singer/T.V. & Radio Presenter, ALED JONES, a bagpipe lesson at Floors Castle, Kelso, April 2009!  When asked if he had a special request for me to play he said "anything but 'Walking in the Air'!!!!" And here I am with the 'Escape to the Country' film crew!  After filming the episode in the Scottish Borders! Piping at The Scottish Parliament.  February 2009! Heading off the races at the Edinburgh Nocturne Series, 30th May 2009!  Pictured here on the podium with World Champion Cyclists Kristian House, David Miller and Cameron Meyer! Congratulations to yellow jersey Tour de France rider, David Miller, on coming in first!!!! Piping for 3 times Gold Medalist Chris Hoy and his fellow Olympic Medalists from Bejing Olympics 2008, outside Edinburgh City Chambers, 28 August 2008. Pictured here alongside Chris's extremely proud Auntie Christine and Uncle Derek Hoy!! Well done Chris - We're all proud of you!!!!  Played during the open-top bus tour of our Scottish Olympians from Edinburgh Castle, down the Royal Mile to Holyrood! Piping at the 'Edinburgh Moonwalk 2008' raising awareness of Breast cancer.  Performing as 'The Pink Piper' on stage in front of 12,000 bra-clad power walkers! Piping at the Scottish Parliament, 4th September 2008!  I was playing during a protest of the award-winning Scots Music Group, where I teach. We all wore red to protest against losing critical funding from the Scottish Arts Council, which is crucial for the future of traditional music in Scotland! Piping at the launch of the 'Ceilidh Culture' Music Festival, Edinburgh, 28 Feb 2008.  Fantastic photo by Sean Bell, See www.seanbellphotography.com Piping at the launch of the Edinburgh Cruiseliner Season 2010! (Great photo by Tony Marsh - see www.tonymarshphotography.com)  Meeting the Captain from Prince Albert II, with the Royal Yacht Brittania in the distance! Piping in Full Highland Dress!  May 2008 Piping at the Mennock Pass, Wanlockhead - Scotland's Highest Vllage.  A special feature for ITV - May 2008. Piping for Hibernian Football Club March 2007!  Major celebrations in Edinburgh! Piping in Scotland's Highest Village!  Wanlockead! 'DGB Life' Magazine  See www.dgblife.co.uk 'DGB Life' (Dumfries & Galloway and Borders Life)! I was honoured to have been interviewed for this wonderful magazine, 'DGB Life', from my home county, Dumfries & Galloway, and to recently appear on the front cover of the February/March 2009 edition. I thoroughly enjoyed having a chat with Journalist and TV presenter Gilly Fraser at Scotland's highest village, Wanlockhead. The tribute she paid to my father, William Joseph Marshall, a well known figure in the Scottish piping scene, who sadly passed away 10 years ago, was beautifully written. Gilly also put together a wonderful feature on my life as a piper in Scotland!! I am sure you will enjoy having a look at www.dgblife.co.uk. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!  About to perform at a new Sainsbury's store in Edinburgh! October 2010! Scots Music Group Pipers Christmas Night out!  At a Greek restaurant - borrowed the hat from someone!! The 98 Highlanders Pipes and Drums  (Having fun in Italy and France, July 2007) 'The 98 Highlanders Pipes and Drums' was formed for a festival in Italy and France, July 2007, where we performed a concert in memory of Ian's brother, Composer and Piper Extaordinaire Gordon Duncan, who passed away in December 2005 (please see www.gordonduncan.co.uk. The band consists of pipers and drummers from the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, Drambuie Kirkliston Pipe Band and the Celtic Rock Band 'Cantara'. (I'm the odd one oot wi the black socks on!!!!!) We had a fantastic time!! The aim of the 98 Highlanders is to promote Scottish music, especially piping, amongst the young people of Scotland. The Sunshine on Leith Pipes and Samba Band  During our debut performance in Edinburgh, October 2007 Comprises children from all over Edinburgh playing bagpipes, Scottish snare and Samba drums. I formed this band in 2007. I tutor the pipers and TONY PARK tutors snare drumming. CAMAY RITCHIE and ANDREW PARK also assist me with the piping tuition. Fantastic Team!! At the moment we have 21 children playing drums and 20 children learning to play the bagpipes (7 currently on pipes and 13 on the practice chanter). This is a fun band, with a fusion of Scottish and Brazilian music, the aim being to inspire children to pick up the pipes and drums and have a great time!!! See Link on Left hand banner for the 'Sunshine on Leith Pipe & Samba Band' for more info! CANTARA  That's Me, Beth, Hazel, Martin, Mikey and Andy!! I formed 'Cantara' along with Martin in 1997. To find out more info on Cantara, please log on to www.cantara.co.uk or www.vippiper.com (my personal website), where you can also hear some of our music. Scots Music Group Pipes and Drums  During their Debut Performance along Frinces Street, Edinburgh As a Bagpipe tutor at the Scots Music Group, Edinburgh, I formed this band in October 2007 for the Dusshera Hindu Festival in Edinburgh. I have tutored all the pipers from chanter and most of them have been playing for 2 years or less. If you are interested in taking up the chanter or attending the beginners bagpipe class, please log on to www.scotsmusic.org. This just proves - it's never too late to learn to play the bagpipes!! Keep piping Scotland!! Piping at the Launch of Edinburgh's 'Ceilidh Culture' up Calton Hill on a very windy day, Feb 2008!  Amazing photo by Sean Bell - www.seanbellphotography.com Edinburgh's annual arts festival!  Don't miss it next year!  |