Interview with a Tattoo Lone Piper

When the finale music quietens and the lights dim, it’s time for the Lone Piper to play. Set high above the arena, silhouetted with a spotlight, they have an essential role within our Show. A Lone Piper is symbolic of Scotland and can resonate with people in many different ways. During our Show, they mark the end of proceedings whilst also giving the audience and cast a moment to reflect. 

At the Tattoo, Lone Pipers have an opportunity to play in front of an audience of 8,800 and feature in global broadcast via television and DVD.  

This August, our Voices Show included five Lone Pipers, one of which was Senior Pipe Major WO2 Colin Simpson of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland. We spoke to Colin to learn more about his role within the Army and what it’s like to perform at the Tattoo. 

When did you join the British Army?  

I joined the Army back in 2000, with the 1st Battalion, Highlanders which later became The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS).  

With the Army, I’ve had the opportunity to travel all over the world to places like Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain, Ethiopia, Colombia, America, Canada, Israel, and most of Europe. I’ve also been to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan on operational tours. As a piper, I’ve taken my pipes with me every time, so they are pretty well travelled too.  

Did you play the pipes before you joined the Army? 

Yes, I started playing the pipes when I was about 9 or 10, so coming on 30 years now. My grandfather was a piper with the Seaforth Highlanders so it kind of runs in the family. He actually played with the Massed Pipes and Drums at His Majesty King George VI’s funeral and performed at the Edinburgh Tattoo in the early 1950’s.  

I always knew that I wanted to do something where I could play the pipes and see the world, which is why I joined the Army.  

Playing the pipes within the Army, I’ve performed at many high-profile ceremonies, including 10 State Banquets, 4 of which I was the Pipe Major of 4 SCOTS. At these I was privileged to meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on multiple occasions. I also performed at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mothers funeral in 2002 and, more recently, I performed as a solo piper, to pipe Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II coffin out of St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, and I joining the Massed Pipes and Drums for the funeral procession to Windsor Castle.  

You’re currently at The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, what does your role there include?  

I first joined the school in 2012 as Corporal instructor, a position I held for a couple of years before heading back to the Battalion. I then re-joined the school in April this year as the Senior Pipe Major of the British Army.  

I’m now responsible for teaching the more senior courses, the Class 1 piping and the Pipe Majors course. The classes include teaching all about the history of the different piping families and of the pipes themselves, lots of different music, all the things they’ll need to be the future Pipe Majors of the Army.  

Teaching starts with Class 3, for those new to piping, then later down the line, we get them for the Class 1 course. It can take up to six or seven years from zero experience up to the Class 1 and the Pipe Major course. The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming is the only one of its kind in the British Army, so we get students from all over the UK and internationally.  

The school runs one of each senior course a year, the Class 1 course is seven weeks long, whereas the Pipe Majors course is seven months.  

At the end of the Pipe Majors course the students will sit their Pipe Major Certification, which involves performing in front of a civilian panel of judges to get their final grade. The school is also tied into the Scottish Qualifications Authority, so they get their civilian qualifications at the end of it too, which is good.  

How many times have you performed at the Tattoo? 

Whenever the Highlanders or 4 SCOTS have performed, I’ve been there with the battalion. So, since 2000, I’ve performed 14 times, including five when the Tattoo went overseas to Australia and New Zealand.  

When did you perform as Lone Piper at the Tattoo? 

The first time I performed as Lone Piper was in 2008 as a part of 4 SCOTS. I’ve played a couple of other times since then as well, the most recent in 2022.  

Do you have a favourite Lone Piper tune to play?  

I don’t really have a go to tune.  There’re so many new compositions coming out, so there’s always new and exciting tunes to learn.  

Every time I’ve performed as Lone Piper at the Tattoo, it’s been a different tune to play. One or two of these I’ve played before, but for most I learn the tune when the music comes out. It usually takes me a couple of days to get it memorised then it’s a case of practicing it again and again until showtime. 

What does it feel like when you’re performing? 

It’s always nerve-wracking, that part doesn’t get any easier even if you’ve done it a couple of times! You’re high up on the platform above the Castle, looking down into the arena and you can see all the lights of Edinburgh around you. Whilst you're waiting for your cue, there’s loads going through your head; making sure you get the tune right, making sure your pipes are okay. Then when the spotlight comes on you can’t see anything but the light and it’s time to start playing.  

I’ve spoken to people that have played in civilian pipe bands and they’re always asking how do you get this gig? So many people would love the opportunity to be able to do it. It's such a huge privilege to do the Lone Piper, you become part of the small club of people who can say that they’ve done it.  

What does the Lone Piper mean to you? 

While the Lone Piper is playing, it gives the cast and audience a couple of moments to reflect during the Show, it’s an important part of the Show. 

What does the Edinburgh Tattoo offer young pipers?  

I think for young pipers it gives them the opportunity to play on a world stage, the Show gets televised around the globe, which is great for piping. It also gives them memories that they can cherish for the rest of their life.  

There’s a really close-knit community within pipes and drums. Although it’s quite a small community, there’s pipers and drummers all over the world and performing at the Tattoo offers the chance to meet lifelong friends.  

Colin will be performing as Lone Piper for the BBC Scotland Hogmanay special this Saturday, piping from Edinburgh Castle before the New Year’s countdown begins. You can also catch his Voices performance by tuning into BBC Scotland at 19:00 on 1 January 2023.  

Tickets for our 2023 Show  Stories  are available now, get yours online or by phoning +44 (0) 131 225 1188.