Professional-Grade Scottish Great Highland Bagpipers and Dancers – Detroit Michigan USA

Fàilie – Welcome from the Cawthons

7 Bagpipers and 1 Highland Dancer

Have Bagpipes will travel, without missing a beat.

Musical Pedigree

Marty and Scott Cawthon took 1st and 3rd place respectively in the North American solo bagpipe competition held at Maxville Canada.

For two brothers to place 1st and 3rd in a solo category at Maxville is an incredibly rare feat that solidifies the Cawthon name in the history of North American piping.

When a piper moves into the Professional (Open) circuit, the expectations shift from “competence” to “artistry.” Here is how that distinction usually plays out in a competitive setting:

• The Repertoire: While a Grade 1 amateur might submit two or three Piobaireachds to a judge, a Professional piper is often required to submit a list of six or more at major competitions (like the Northern Meeting or the Argyllshire Gathering).
• The Instrument: In the Professional ranks, “good” tone isn’t enough. The bagpipe must be world-class—perfectly harmonic, resonant, and stable for 15+ minutes of continuous play.
• Performance: Pro-grade performers are expected to demonstrate “Life and Soul”—the ability to take a standard 2/4 March and give it a rhythmic “swing” or “point” that is unique to their personal style.

Bagpipers Skills by Grade Levels

Why this matters? The world of competitive bagpiping is structured into clear “Grades,” typically ranging from Grade 5 (Beginner) to Grade 1 (Elite Amateur), followed by “Open” or Professional status. These grades apply to both individual soloists and full pipe bands.

Progressing through the grades is less about how many years you’ve played and more about tonal control, technical precision, and repertoire complexity.

Some amateur (Grade 5, lowest skilled) bagpipers use the word “Professional Bagpiper” as they receive payment for piping at non-competitive events.

This is NOT the same as a “Professional-grade” Bagpiper.

Always ask the Bagpiper their Grade Level of Solo piping and if there are any recordings of them piping solo.

The Magnitude of the Collaboration

The brothers had the honor of performing Amazing Grace with singer Andy Williams and instrumentalist Quincy Jones on their world tour. 

This collaboration represents a rare “crossover” moment where the traditional Scottish Highland pipe was integrated into mainstream global pop and orchestral music at the highest possible level.

Military Tattoo Bagpipers

The brothers are proud to have perform with and for U.S.A., Australian, British, Canadian, New Zealand, Scottish Armed Forces, their Veterans, and Military Tattoos.

In the world of bagpiping, a “Tattoo” is a large-scale musical performance. While the word comes from the Dutch phrase doe den tap toe (“turn off the taps”), it has become synonymous with massed pipe bands.

Serving the Community

Since then, brothers have performed in front and for tens of thousands of people including celebrities, Presidents of the US, Four Star Generals, Governors, Senators, Congressman, Corporate executives and events, and other dignitaries.