THE LONDON RECITAL
25 SEPTEMBER 2025
By invitation / 6:30pm - 10:00pm / Highland or Lowland Black Tie
at
THE SCOTLAND OFFICE
DOVER HOUSE, WHITEHALL
By kind permission of the Secretary of State for Scotland, The Rt. Hon. Ian Murray MP
Hosted by
THE PINSTRIPE HIGHLANDERS
THE PIOBAIREACHD SOCIETY
With support from
THE 1ST BATTALION SCOTS GUARDS
THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF LONDON
THE LONDON SCOTTISH PIPES & DRUMS
THE SCOTTISH PIPING SOCIETY OF LONDON
Featuring
ANGUS MACCOLL
&
IAIN SPEIRS
Playing both Ceòl mòr and Ceòl beag
Organised by
THE LONDON RECITAL COMMITTEE
GORDON TUGHAN-JONES, PINSTRIPE HIGHLANDERS
ROBERT WALLACE, PIOBAIREACHD SOCIETY
MAJOR HENRY EDWARDS, SCOTS GUARDS
LILY CAMPBELL, PINSTRIPE HIGHLANDERS
Advised by
DUNCAN BYATT, HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF LONDON
About the London Recital
The London Recital is a not-for-profit event, funded by donations from involved organisations and individuals, that seeks to:
Increase awareness of Piobaireachd
Increase the range of piping events in London
Connect organisations &
encourage more joint piping events
The Venue
THE SCOTLAND OFFICE, DOVER HOUSE, WHITEHALL
The Entrance Rotunda
The famous entrance rotunda was added in the courtyard of the original house in about 1790 by its owner, HRH Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, before the house was sold to Lord Melbourne.
Many famous people have walked through this rotunda and up the stairs to the State Room. For example, the ropes on the left of the stairs were added by Melbourne's wife, Lady Caroline Lamb, to aid Lord Byron up the stairs for his attendance at a party on 25th March 1812, from which their short but famous affair began.
More recently, from a 1886 drawing, we know that pipers have played, flanking guests' arrival, for at least 139 years. A tradition we will carry on in 2025.
The Reception
The London Recital champagne reception will take place in the Reception Rooms at the top of the stairs from the rotunda, and on the balcony overlooking Horse Guards Parade.
The State Room
The London Recital performances will take place in the grand State Room overlooking Horse Guards Parade.
Horse Guards Parade
The setting for Trooping the Colour, Horse Guards Parade is an iconic and dramatic space in the heart of historic Westminster.
Guests attending The London Recital will be able to socialise and get some fresh air on the balcony overlooking Horse Guards during the champagne reception, intermission, and after the performances.
The Pipers
The London Recital 2025 showcases two of the world's top pipers, playing a selection of both piobaireachd and light music
The Event
THE LONDON RECITAL
25 SEPTEMBER 2025
6:30pm
Piped through the rotunda by the Pinstripe Highlanders to a champagne reception overlooking Horse Guards
7:10pm
Announcement for all guests to move to the State Room
7:15pm
Arrival of the pipers of the 1st Bn Scots Guards
A highland dancing performance
7:25pm
Welcome speeches and thanks
7:35pm
Recital performance – First session
8:15pm
Intermission with drinks and canapés
9:10pm
Recital performance – Second session
9:50pm
Presentations to the pipers, and farewells
10:00pm
Carriages
RSVP
The London Recital Committee
Highland or Lowland Black Tie
FAQ
How are tickets allocated?
Tickets are distributed to a number of organisations by invitation, and these organisations are free to allocate tickets to their members as they see fit. This approach has been taken given the limited capacity of the venue and the desire that the event bring together an audience of people who are actively involved in leading organisations connected to the world of piping.
Are all tickets seated?
No. There will be 70 seated tickets, plus a further 30 standing tickets at the back. Attending organisations will be responsible for allocating any standing tickets to people who are willing and able to stand. On the night, those with seated tickets will be given a physical "seated" ticket card by the porter on arrival at Dover House. The seated ticket holders will enter the State Room via a separate door to those with standing tickets, and these cards will be checked on entry to the room. This way we will ensure that all those with seated tickets will be guaranteed their seat.
Will there be food?
During the intermission from 8pm there will be substantive canapes served from two tables in the Reception Rooms. However, those who require substantial sustenance are advised to eat early before arrival. Vegetarian options will exist, but we cannot cater for allergies.
What is the dress code?
The London Recital is intended to be a formal event in formal surroundings, maintaining high standards of dress to match the high standard of piping. Therefore, for everyone's enjoyment, we ask our guests to please respect and observe the Black Tie dress code.
For clarity, Black Tie for gentlemen (whether Highland Dress eveningwear, or a Dinner Jacket with black or tartan trews) should include: 1) a plain white shirt, 2) a plain black bow tie, and 3) black shoes. We would ask our guests to please not take their jackets off, and plain white/cream hose are strongly discouraged.
Organisations with their own diced evening hose are encouraged to wear these with regular black tie.
For ladies, long evening dresses are preferred, due to the historic nature of the venue and formality of the event. Tartan sashes worn in the traditional way are encouraged.
Media
The latest content from the London Recital 2025
The Hosts
_edited.jpg)
THE PINSTRIPE HIGHLANDERS
An amateur piping society, founded in 1971 by Lord Wrenbury and PM John S Roe BEM of the Scots Guards, the Pinstripe Highlanders first met in Wrenbury's office at Freshfields. Rapidly growing to incorporate other Freshfields solicitors it grew into a wider piping society that now includes amateur pipers from all walks of life.
Meeting every Tuesday evening in Central London, the "Pinstripes" have played annually for decades at the Highland Society of London's annual Highland Ball, but also play periodically at other events such as the St Andrews Ball, various Scotland Office events, and they hold piping dinners in London and Edinburgh where the 'Southern Echelon' reunites with the 'Northern Echelon' (of Pinstripe Highlanders who have returned to Scotland).
The anthem of the Pinstripes is "Kate Wrenbury" – a lovely 6/8 march composed by John Roe for Lord Wrenbury's daughter's marriage. As it turned out, it was Elizabeth getting married not Kate, and Wrenbury's surname was actually Buckley, but Wrenbury insisted the tune remain Kate Wrenbury as originally named, and it has been played at most performances ever since.
By tradition, the current Piper to the Sovereign is offered the Pinstripe Pipe Majorship.
THE PIOBAIREACHD SOCIETY
The Piobaireachd Society, Patron HM The King, is the primary organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Piobaireachd, the ancient and classical form of pipe music associated with the Great Highland Bagpipe.
Founded in 1903, the society aims to support and encourage the study and performance of this unique musical tradition of the highlands of Scotland.
Objectives of the Piobaireachd Society
-
To encourage the study and playing of piobaireachd on the Highland bagpipe.
-
To collect material and knowledge relating to its music and history, to publish tunes, to edit them where desirable and to form a library whether written, printed or recorded in any other form, for the dissemination of pipe music.
-
To aid in the general advancement and diffusion of knowledge of piobaireachd.
-
To encourage the playing of piobaireachd in recitals and competitions.
-
To appoint, and where necessary pay, piobaireachd teachers where a need is identified, and to aid, financially, promising pupils in obtaining further instruction.
-
To train judges of piobaireachd and to contribute in maintaining a panel of accredited judges.
