Professional Pipers

[James MacMillan]

I should also say that a couple times, when it was for a funeral, and the time was set within a few minutes, the fee went down a lot. Once to $50 with no extra cost thrown in and another time the piper came for free, but the family gave him some money anyway.

If we are talking a professional performer for a Burns night, I think fees upwards to $500 could be born with ease, as the cost can be spread around the attendees in the cost of the dinner tickets.

Saying that the piper charges by the hour, and then only has to play for a few minutes skews things a little.

[JerseyLawyer]

That's true (the by the hour thing), but unless you happen to live right around the corner, you still have to get there, and warm up, and tune, and be waiting when the guests/mourners arrive.

So, probably an hour is a minimum rate, in most circumstances.