Julia Read
Bagpiper & Harpist, Marlow, UK
Wedding Henley-on-Thames 15 June 2024
"I just wanted to say thank you so much for playing at our wedding last weekend. It was such a special touch to the day and so many people commented on how wonderful it was to hear you play."
Clare Hedges
Appearing on BBC South, D Day 80th anniversary celebrations, 4 June 2024, New Forest Hampshire
"A huge thank you Julia for today. I know you weren't feeling particularly well so it was really a huge effort to make things so wonderful for us. I can't tell you how much everybody appreciated your playing."
Alistair Morrison
Funeral Taplow 16 March 2024
"I would highly recommend Julia she is professional, punctual and plays beautifully. It was a huge honour having her play for mums send off. Everyone was saying how special it was to honour my mums Scottish heritage. Julia even wore blue and green to honour our wishes for colours of blue, pink and purple’s the funeral. Julia made a lovely selection of suggestions for songs choices. Julia liaised with the church and funeral directors to making sure the service ran smoothly. I would highly recommend Julia to play the bag pipes for weddings, special occasions and for funerals."
Michael and Julia Nolan
Funeral Sutton Cemetery 25 October 2023
"Amazing bagpiper, you sent my dad off on his next journey like a King. Thankyou so much. My dad loved the bagpipes. Many thanks for your outstanding performance."
Nel Atkins
Leisha Wedding, 10 September 2023, Wedding Piper at The Great House in Sonning
"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding Julia. You made it extra special and heartwarming. You were absolutely amazing and we loved the special touch you added to the day. It was so lovely to meet you on Sunday and thank you for making me feel so close to my heritage. I have grown up listening to bagpipes and it was so special to have you with us on our special day."
Leisha Watters
Natalie and Stephen Wedding, 29 July 2023, Wedding Piper at Ashridge House, Buckinghamshire
"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding. You were absolutely amazing and all the guests kept mentioning how great you were. It was truly magical being able to walk down the stairs to you playing all of me. You created a wonderful atmosphere"
Natalie Saddler
Kevin and Jessica, 14 March 2023, Wedding Piper Windsor
"Just wanted to say a huge thank you for playing at our wedding on Tuesday.
Having you there really made it that extra bit special, was amazing. Thank you"
Kevin and Jessica
Burns Night, Hampshire Lakes Retirement Home, 25 January 2022
"Thank you for making Burns night such a happy occasion. I’m sorry that our numbers were so depleted but those of us that were there loved it!
You looked and played beautifully.
Best wishes"
Joan Russam
Sophie and Kieran wedding, 5 November 2021, Wedding Piper Burnham
"Julia, we cannot thank you enough for helping to make Sophie and Kiran’s wedding a simply magical day. So many guests have complimented you, but many with Scottish heritage were simply astounded by what you played. I only wish we’d had the chance to really thank you on the day, as you were absolutely brilliant!! Wishing you all the best, and only too pleased to recommend you to others !!"
Neil Walker (father of the bride)
Gayle and Neil 18 June 2021, Wedding Piper Berkshire
"Our original piper emailed me at 9:30am on our wedding day to cancel the booking for valid reasons however, they did not call me and it was only by chance I saw their email. We found Julia who luckily was free, she had around two hours notice to put on her Highland dress, drive 12 miles, set up and play for our guests. She was there on time and learnt the song I wanted piped down the isle to, on the way. She was amazing, and played absolutely beautifully. I wanted to wait to walk down the isle so I could hear her play more of the song that I loved, it made me so emotional hearing her play. Our guests loved her too, and all complimented on how well she played. I would recommend Julia for your event and she will always be my first piper to call for any future events. We are eternally grateful for all that you did Julia, thank you"
Gayle and Neil
Birthday Bagpiper, Great Missenden, 8 Dec 2018
"Julia was excellent. She arrived super early and looked absolutely fantastic. She was very accommodating with my daughter who wanted to ‘help’ and about the cramped space in a small old beamed pub. Wish we’d asked for another dance! Many thanks"
Rachael MacKay
Birthday Bagpiper Farnham,17 Nov 2018
"Very professional, extremely accomplished musician, friendly and accommodating to meet our requirements on the day. I have no reservations whatsoever in recommending her for any event, we will book her again. Julia is delightful, she genuinely cared about making the day very special for my elderly Scottish parents and her extra suggestions of when/where to play were really helpful! Thank you Julia"
Laura Francis
Gemma and Jit, 13 Oct 2018, Wedding Bagpiper Wiltshire
"I would rank Julia higher than full marks if possible! She was superb. My daughter had the unusual request of asking if Country Road by John Denver could be played at the wedding on the bagpipes. Julia happily agreed that it was possible. She went to the trouble of recording and sending a clip for my daughter’s approval. It was perfect! Julia arrived before everyone. Made friends with everyone and was certainly a hit. She performed more tunes than we initially requested and made suggestions of when and what would be good to play. I would most certainly recommend Julia to anyone and everyone. Thank you so much, our day was even more perfect than we ever imagined."
Heather Piper (mother of the bride)
Angus and Catriona Wedding, 29 Sep 2018, Surrey
"An inspired and inspiring choice for my daughter’s wedding reception in the beautiful and thankfully sunny Surrey countryside. Highest possible marks and largest thanks to Julia for her support, timeliness but above all for her immaculate and moving piping. Our guests were thoroughly spoilt and many too were visibly moved. Thank you Julia"
Colin McLean (Father of the bride)
Helen and Richard Wedding, 16 Sept 2018, Kings Chapel, Amersham
"I wanted to say again how brilliant you were at our wedding. Your performances still gets talked about with friends! As Richard says ‘I knew you were on your way!’ Thank you again."
Helen Smith
Indian Wedding Bagpiper Heathrow, 1 Sep 2018
"Thank you Julia. Really made a great show to hear your bagpipes and dhol drummers."
Jatty Sira (from the Dhol Academy)
Indian Wedding Bagpiper Coventry, 23 Jul 2018
"Just want to say thank you for everything you did. Brilliant, fantastic atmosphere as my son arrived at the wedding."
Hussan Lal (Father of the groom)
Wedding Bagpiper Marlow, 30 June 2018
"Julia did a fantastic job at our daughter’s wedding, playing outside the church as all the guests arrived and then playing for my husband and daughter as they walked right up the church path. She kept us very well informed before the date and came up with loads of ideas and options to make the entry into the church really special. It was a sizzling June day and Julia was in full regalia but I never saw her flag. Professional, cheeful, great bagpipe playing, what more could you ask?"
Emily Milsom (Mother of the bride)
Kevin and Karen wedding, 18 May 2018, Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park
"Thanks so much for your recordings we loved having a listen! We think the star wars, lord of the rings and Lion King medleys are fantastic, they will be a wonderful addition to the wedding.
You were fantastic on the day, really delivered what we asked for - a mix of traditional Scottish tunes and a recessional medley of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and The Lion King!"
Kevin O'Reilly
Burns Night Bagpiper at Slough Hockey club, 12 Mar 2018
"Julia provided a great attraction in a full pipers outfit at our Burns Night, not only piping at the entrance to our venue to welcome the guests as they arrived, but also accompanying the haggis, which made for a great atmosphere. Many of the guests complimented us on her playing and are looking forward to a repeat event next year"
Douglas Courtney
Burns Night Bagpiper Beaconsfield, 25 Jan 2008
"Julia was booked for this most important role at this high profile charity ball. She came dressed in a smart piper’s uniform with a beautiful set of bagpipes and played very professionally at various times during the evening: whilst guests arrived, inside during the dinner and most importantly piped in the haggis! She contributed tremendously to the atmosphere of the evening and was very co-operative in the choice of music and greatly applauded. Just what one would expect from a bagpiper. She has performed for us since at various family gatherings. I would highly recommend Julia as a solo bagpiper"
Adrian Norris
Testimonials without pictures
Andrew Reid 19 August 2023, Wedding Bagpipes and Harp in Henley
Thank you so much, everyone had a great time and you made a great day special
Ian Taylor 28 July 2023, Wedding Bagpipes, Micklefield Hall, Sarratt Rd, Rickmansworth WD3 6AQ
Lovely to meet you and everyone was so impressed with your playing
Christine Ewing 21 May 2021, Funeral Bagpiper Oxford
Thank you so much Julia for your wonderful playing. Everyone thought you were wonderful.
Ruth McCall 29 April 2021, Funeral Bagpiper Amersham
I am writing to thank you so very much for turning out in the freezing rain yesterday to pipe our parents into the Milton Chapel and beyond. We all really appreciated the fantastic atmosphere your music gave us in these sad times of Covid. It is a wonderful thing you do. Thank you so much.
Lesley Newman 12 April 2021, Funeral Bagpiper Amersham
Thanks again for playing at mum’s funeral. The pipes made it very special. You really looked the part in the Black Watch tartan.
Beth Dawson 9 April 2021, Funeral Bagpiper Amersham
Thanks for your exquisite playing on Friday. We held a virtual wake that evening and everyone commented about how the pipes really lifted the occasion – with so few people allowed and no singing, it was great to have something that chimed so well with our family history. Thank you so much.
Neil Wilkie 17 Dec 2019, Funeral Bagpiper Christchurch
Julia was absolutely brilliant at my father’s funeral. Beautiful playing and very respectful
Rachelle Cornel 24 Jan 2019, Burns Night Bagpiper London
Julia was fantastic – would highly recommend! We have booked Julia many times to play for our London Burns night at a private London club. She never disappoints and is always very professional and really adds to the atmosphere.
Debbi 1 Sep 2018, Birthday Bagpiper Maidenhead
Julia came to play at my father’s 80th party last night as a surprise and he as well as all the other guests had great fun dancing along to the sound of the pipes. Great evening. Would definitely recommend Julia !
Paul Weighman Dip, FDMBIFD 22 Aug 2018, Funeral Bagpiper Godalming
I needed a piper to play at a funeral that I was arranging. When offered Julia, to my shame I was dubious about employing a female piper. I need not have had concerns – Julia was superb, truly superb. I would recommend her wholeheartedly. A true professional. Personable and approachable. Thank you
Hailey Kumar, 7 July 2018, Indian 1st Birthday Bagpiper Milton Keynes
Thanks for your patience last night Julia, sorry it was so delayed. Our daughter’s 1st birthday with bagpipes and dhol drummers was so special. Thank you.
John Cole 18 Apr 2018, Funeral Bagpiper Aldershot
Julia recently played at my wife grandfather’s funeral who sadly departed us. The overall level of professionalism, compassion and manner of Julia was unbelievable. Julia played her beautiful set of bagpipes and escorted the funeral hearse to the doors of the crematorium, where she was dressed fully in traditional Scottish piper’s uniform looking incredibly smart and eye catching. She then played the coffin into the crematorium where the coffin was on display and the service began, just before the end of the wonderful service Julia then played the beautiful ‘Amazing Grace’ as the curtains were shut. Julia’s music hit the heart strings of all the family and friends making us weep tears of sadness and remembrance. On behalf of the family and friends I would like to thank you for a beautiful service as a lone piper who made the day special. Recommendation 10 stars !!
Grace Cather 26 Jan 2018, Burns Night Bagpiper Brighton
Julia was a fantastic addition to the inaugural Roedean School Burns night. She was incredibly friendly and professional at all times and helped us out with some of the protocol for the night as well! Her playing was fantastic and really added to the atmosphere of the evening. We would definitely recommend her to others.
Simon Grimsey 31 Dec 2017 New Years Eve Bagpiper Oxford
I was a guest at a New Years eve party that Julia played at. She was great, really got the party going and such a surprise when she came in playing Auld Lang Syne. Then she got everyone jigging around, joining hands and dancing to a traditional Scottish jig. Absolutely fantastic.