Accomplished performer on the Great Highland Bagpipe.
Published 2 CDs both available at (link hidden)
(a) Christmas Carols on Scottish Bagpipes
(b) Pipe Tunes From the Crypt
For a video of Robert Burns piping along with Power Celt Rockers The Fooks on Sam’s Diego Show on (link hidden) Streaming Worldwide on the Interweb: (link hidden)
For an old video of Robert Burns piping at Balboa Park’s Museum of Man: (link hidden)
On the day of my brother’s celebration of life, I was expecting Robert to play 3 songs. He played on the dock while we were boarding the catamaran and onboard during the trip and during the ceremony. I don’t know how many songs he played, but I know it was more than 3. He was very professional and didn’t need any direction from me which I appreciated because I was busy making sure everything was going according as planned. I would highly recommend Robert.
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you, Terry. We are all from the same extended beach community. But, regardless, for the amount of time that we spent on the boat and the many opportunities (when there was enough stability to pipe standing or sitting) to pipe, providing far more than 3 tunes was a matter of conscience and service.
I started my party With ROBERT playing the h bagpipes as my guests arrived, He played beautifully and was dressed in the perfect Scorrish. clothing. He was cheerful and friendly to everyone and patiently answered all their questions . He was very professional and communicative
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you for a wonderful gig with a wonderful audience in a wonderful venue capped with a wonderful review.
Robert communicated well with me on Gig Salad and via email ahead of the event and texted me on the day of. He came dressed for the part and he was excited to comply with our request. The event was at a YMCA property near Julian, CA and it was cold, wet and foggy. It was a daddy-daughter event where he walked while playing as we followed him to an amphitheater, then had him play as we danced and did some of our traditions. He then lead us out of the area and back to a building while playing before departing. He has such a good spirit and it was so fun for all!
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you! This reminded me of a Girl Scout father-daughter dance I did in a church once with one of my daughters; I would love to have done mine in your venue.
Photos from this event
I surprised my husband for his 40th birthday with Robert performing a mix of Scottish, happy birthday, reggaeton & other non-traditional music. He was a hit, showed up on time and even accommodated a little time adjustment. Would recommend again, as everyone was asking where did I book him
Robert's performance was excellent and informative! He was right on time, and very personable!
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you. You are a great group. I wish I could have explored the acoustics a little more.
Photos from this event
Robert is amazing and was so respectful to all of our Veterans! We had 7 WWII and 16 other veterans. He played all of the Hymns of the Branches and Amazing Grace and there was hardly a dry eye in the house! Robert you are so awesome in your approach, respect and humbleness in your presentation! We at Belmont Village Cardiff are so grateful to you!
Clare Hollerbach
Activities Program director
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you, but the gems are in your good care, both the amazing veterans and the lady with the Montgomery ancestry (I'd like her contact information to show her off the House of Scotland at Balboa Park).
We hired Robert for a Scottish grandfather who has been struggling with several health issues. Robert really touched his soul with his pipes and his words. He is well educated and well spoken. Very talented on the bagpipes.
I highly recommend him!
Photos from this event
Robert was a pleasure to work with, and he was interested in our choices of songs to be played at our mother's memorial service. His beautiful, soulful bagpipes added to our special tribute to our mother.
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you. Memorials like this give purpose and satisfaction to playing the pipes
He was in constant communication and on time. Provided a selection of songs to choose from and played beautifully. He was a hit at our City’s Memorial Day event. Looking forward to working with him again. 😊
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you. It was an honour with a wonderful program and exceptional weather. It was nice to be "home" again in Imperial Valley where I have lived and have had family present since 1918.
Photos from this event
beautiful wedding in a beautiful location
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
It was a fairy tell wedding with a wekcome break from Scottish sunshine.
Robert made our ceremony very memorable and unique. He was very professional and crowd pleasing. With our Scottish background and mixed heritage having him there made it that much more sentimental and diverse. Everyone loved his bag piping he was punctual and kind so if you’re looking for a future bagpiper you can’t go wrong with him! 10/10 5 Star performance.
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you, Irene. This was a very special wedding and reception. I always jump at the opportunity to play Latin tunes!
On time, informative, interesting, great music, well attired!
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you! Very motivated, inquisitive, appreciative audience!
Robert Burns exceeded all my expectations. Thank you Robert for making my mother's memorial service so memorable!
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you!
Robert was amazing and a pleasure to work with. He is a real talent and I highly recommend him for all your events!!!!
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you! Yours was one of the more pleasurable events for me with a mixture of party performance, advertising performance, and pleasurable performances for children with a bonus of being able to play some tunes from the cultures of Latin America.
Robert did a fabulous job!!! My sister was so very surprised and loved Roberts playing. He performed exactly as we had talked about. Thank you SO very much !!!!
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you. And we dodged the lightning and rain too!
Robert was amazing! Prompt, interacted with the community, played great music and offered some suggestions for our next parade. Would definitely hire again!
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you. This was a special 4th of July in which we commemorated independence from Great Britain and independence from COVID.
Photos from this event
The perfect dignity and music for our gathering to reflect on my husbands life.
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you. Such dignity and music was well deserved.
I didn’t want to do this at all because I hate writing bad reviews but i wanted to stop him from playing actually everyone did. He was off tune and shrill. everyone’s comments were omg the bagpiper was so off tune. Not sure if it was a bad day but wasn’t good for a funeral. I just wanted amazing Grace while my mother in laws casket was being lowered I don’t even know what he played but it wasn’t amazing Grace sounded like he was trying to clear out his pipes whole time. Then he said I owed him more money for arriving early. I was so upset with this…paid $70 more than I expected for terrible performance
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
This is a surprise. No complaint over my performance was ever previously expressed to me. There was a mistake on the part of others in the ceremony which accounted for surprise and confusion on the part of Ms. Steveson and myself that we later both discussed while we were both at the site that had something to do with the casket not being fully lowered. No one complained of my playing; instead, I was contemplated by several persons. The reed and chanter were both very new and set up by Ian Whitelaw a world-class expert. The extra fee involved 15 minutes overage and a $40 streaming fee imposed by my union; I ignored the 15 minutes for calculating the streaming fee. Ms. Steveson did make a curious remark about surprise at my starting at the time designated in my contract, i.e., 15 minutes before the official ceremony started; the contract expressly contemplated me piping for arrivals and some were there before I was to commence. These were my terms: "Performer is to provide solo, customary funeral bagpiping . . . commencing at 1:45 P.M. [for the funeral commencing 2:00 P.M.] with performance of appropriate tunes for the arrival of guests and later (commencing with the piping of Amazing Grace) for the lowering of the casket, the conclusion of the service, and the mingling and departure of guests." For the general reader, it's easy to stop a piper as close as I was to the funeral party; it's commonly done by officiators usually worked out in advance. I am sorry that Ms. Steveson felt the way she did.
As we were planning the dual funeral for my parents, we decided that our we would get a Bagpiper for Mom, because she loved them, and we would ask them to play Amazing Grace because it was our Father's favorite song. Robert knew more about the mechanics at Mira Mar Cemetery than we did and he actually helped us with the logistics planning. He was there playing as we arrived, he played as the ashes were brought out, and he played us back to the car. It was a beautiful experience and I'm sure both of my parents were as happy with him as we were. Thank you, Robert!
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you. You and your parents deserved no less. It was my honor.
Photos from this event
Robert Burns played for my husband’s memorial at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego. His poise, choice of dress and music selection was excellent.
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you. All was well deserved.
Photos from this event
Robert provided the songs we requested, and was very courteous. He was very reliable and assured everything was done for the family during both the service and interment. We had a traditional Yeager Meister salute to bury my German mother and Robert played a beautiful song and joined us in a salute. Robert, you are awesome.
Photos from this event
It has been on my wife's bucket list to have a bagpiper play for her birthday sometime. That time was this week! Due to Covid 19 we had to limit the celebration to a very small group in our bubble to wish her happy birthday. While we were sitting in our back deck I arranged with Robert to meet at the front door and stroll through the house playing the bagpipes and on to the back for the surprise! Robert was a true professional with amazing talent. The surprise was perfectly executed and my wife's reaction was far better than I could have ever expected. I want to thank Robert for working with me to create the impact I was hoping for and his talent and knowledge of the history of bagpiping was a bonus. I highly recommend Robert for your occasion.
I hired Robert for my husbands birthday party in Dec of 2020. We were under a shutdown because of Covid and everything was closed. He accommodated the short notice request to play down at Mission Bay and made the party extra special. My husband loves the bagpipes and he was so surprised. Robert shared stories and talked about the history behind the songs he was playing. It was perfect for our small gathering by the water. I highly recommend him and we look forward to working with him again.
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you. Do know that you two are every bit as special to me. I look forward to a post-pandemic whisky tasting!
Photos from this event
Outstanding cooperation and performance. Highly recommend Mr. Burns and would gladly ask for him in the future, he made the day bringing smiles and joy to all.
Our event was made special by Robert Burns bagpiping! Exactly as promised, he was piping as guests were being escorted to the area at Rosecrans, which lent a special feeling immediately. My mother would have been so pleased. As we left the event, the piping lent a special air of closure also. Thank you, Robert Burns. Your bagpipe repertoire was perfect.
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
You are so welcome. I note that my first tune in the distance was the urlar of "Lament for Captain Donald MacKenzie" and as you were departing I piped an upbeat 6/8 march called "Murdo MacKenzie of Torridon". When I honeymooned in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia (New Scotland), which has much more of the traditional gaidhlig culture of Scotland than does Scotland, I danced with an aging C.P.A. named MacKenzie who shared that the traditional dancing we were doing at Glencoe Hall in Mabou, N.S. were just as his ancestors did in the 18th century when they got off their ship.
The traditional Bagpiper music was much appreciated by myself and those who attended the memorial for a 30-year-old woman. The family has Irish ancestry and I really appreciate it. We sang along as Robert played Amazing Grace.
Thank you Robert for a wonderful evening. You made my dads 80th birthday an amazing celbration.
Cheers !
As an event producer, hiring a real professional makes your life so much easier. Mr Burns is that and more. An outstanding job on the bagpipes, a fair price for his time spent with us, I recommend Robert to anyone seeking traditional bagpipes.
Booked a bagpiper for my Mom's funeral. He didn't show up. Had a myriad of excuses. You only bury your Mom once. Very heart broken.
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
I did show, only too late. This was a rare phenomenon due to a calendaring glitch on my end (exacerbated by the client being totally inaccessible by phone and E-mail) in which I left en route at the start time instead of starting at that time. A full refund was given. Very regrettable.
He was wonderful. Not only did the attendees at our event love him, total strangers would take pictures of and with him. He was very communicative with me so that his part of the event went as planned.
Response from Robert Burns, Bagpiper:
Thank you. And, you deserved as much!
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 5 - 300 minutes
This would be discussed with anyone having the need and understanding.
| November 18, 2024 • 10:30am - 11:00am | Nonprofit Event |
| October 25, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| September 14, 2024 • 11:00am - 11:15am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| September 08, 2024 • 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| August 31, 2024 • 10:00am - 1:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| August 17, 2024 • 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Birthday Party |
| May 27, 2024 • 11:00am - 12:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
| May 04, 2024 • 1:00pm - 1:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| March 21, 2024 • 12:30pm - 2:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| March 17, 2024 • 6:30pm - 6:45pm | Dinner Party |
| March 17, 2024 • 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Birthday Party |
| March 16, 2024 • 7:00pm - 7:15pm | Camp Event |
| March 16, 2024 • 5:00pm - 5:30pm | House Party |
| March 15, 2024 • 5:30pm - 5:45pm | Cultural Event |
| February 24, 2024 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
| February 23, 2024 • 11:00am - 11:30am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| February 03, 2024 • 1:00pm - 1:30pm | Birthday Party |
| November 10, 2023 • 2:30pm - 3:15pm | Corporate Event |
| October 28, 2023 • 11:30am - 12:30pm | Personal Occasion |
| October 23, 2023 • 11:00am - 11:15am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| September 17, 2023 • 11:00am - 11:45am | Birthday Party |
| August 19, 2023 • 9:30pm - 9:45pm | Birthday Party |
| August 10, 2023 • 4:00pm - 4:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| July 06, 2023 • 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| June 04, 2023 • 10:30am - 11:30am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| May 29, 2023 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Holiday Party |
| March 23, 2023 • 3:30pm - 3:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| March 15, 2023 • 8:00pm - 8:15pm | Cocktail Party |
| March 03, 2023 • 9:30am - 10:15am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| September 25, 2022 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| September 17, 2022 • 4:00pm - 4:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| August 13, 2022 • 3:30pm - 4:00pm | House Party |
| June 01, 2022 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Personal Occasion |
| May 19, 2022 • 6:00pm - 6:30pm | House Party |
| May 08, 2022 • 5:00pm - 5:15pm | Surprise |
| May 07, 2022 • 1:00pm - 1:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| March 16, 2022 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm | Corporate Event |
| January 07, 2022–January 08, 2022 • 11:00pm - 1:00am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| December 12, 2021 • 4:00pm - 4:45pm | Cocktail Party |
| November 27, 2021 • 12:30pm - 2:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| November 04, 2021 • 9:30am - 10:00am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| September 18, 2021 • 6:00pm - 6:45pm | Dinner Party |
| August 29, 2021 • 2:30pm - 3:00pm | Birthday Party |
| July 04, 2021 • 8:30am - 10:00am | Parade |
| June 18, 2021 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 09, 2021 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 05, 2021 • 5:30pm - 5:45pm | Graduation |
| May 31, 2021 • 9:30am - 9:45am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| May 24, 2021 • 11:30am - 12:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| April 05, 2021 • 2:00pm - 2:15pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| March 18, 2021 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| March 17, 2021 • 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Holiday Party |
| March 13, 2021 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | House Party |
| March 11, 2021 • 11:30am - 12:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| January 13, 2021 • 6:00pm - 6:30pm | Birthday Party |
| December 18, 2020 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm | Birthday Party |
| December 04, 2020 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Birthday Party |
| March 17, 2020 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Holiday Party |
| March 17, 2020 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Holiday Party |
| July 15, 2019 • 2:30pm - 2:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| July 02, 2019 • 11:30am - 11:45am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 12, 2019 • 11:30am - 12:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| April 17, 2019 • 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Cultural Event |
| April 15, 2019 • 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| September 15, 2018 • 7:30pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
| June 02, 2018 • 5:30pm - 5:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| January 28, 2018 • 5:30pm - 5:45pm | Nonprofit Event |
| January 27, 2018 • 2:00pm - 2:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| December 27, 2017 • 3:00pm - 6:00pm | Graduation |
| December 14, 2017 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Christmas Party |
| March 12, 2017 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Festival |
| September 16, 2016 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Dinner Party |
| April 22, 2016 • 11:00am - 11:30am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| March 24, 2016 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Religious Celebration |
| October 17, 2015 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| August 29, 2015 • 3:00pm - 6:00pm | Fundraiser |
| August 15, 2015 • 3:00pm - 9:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| July 10, 2015 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Retirement Party |
| November 22, 2014 • 12:45pm - 1:45pm | Other |
| November 02, 2014 • 2:00pm - 7:00pm | Anniversary Party |
| August 23, 2014 • 12:00pm - 12:15pm | Other |
| October 16, 2013 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Funeral Service |
This would be discussed with anyone having the need and understanding. A competent piper is expected to know many tunes of different types in different combinations.
San Bernardino, CA 
Bagpiper
133 Verified Bookings Ahazi D. said “We had an informal St. Paddy's day celebration at work and Darrell was hired as the main attraction--a nice treat for employees, some of whom had…”
Los Angeles, CA
Bagpiper
62 Verified Bookings Laurel G. said “My brother was proud of his service in the Navy and his Scottish heritage. He loved Navy traditions and all things Scottish. He also loved his boat. When…”
Palm Springs, CA
Bagpiper
111 Verified Bookings Susan P. said “I was lucky enough to find this bagpiper. His performance was impeccable, and he gave his heart in what he does. Thank you!”
Los Angeles, CA
Bagpiper
7 Verified Bookings Dennis L. said “He was on time and cordial, and very understanding of our rather sub-par accommodations. He went along with all the suggestions and interacted well with…”
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