Distinct, stirring and evocative. The rousing sound of bagpipes is recognized all over the world. An exclusive audience with Highland Piper Andy Coulter is a highlight of our British Royale journey, so we sat down with him to learn more about this revered instrument and his royal connections.

Enjoy an exclusive audience with Andy on: British Royale

Piping through the generations

“I’m what you call an Ulster Scot, I was born in Northern Ireland and now live near Edinburgh,” says Andy. “My father was a piper, my grandfather and my great grandfather. I started when I was 10 years old.

“After school I joined the army and spent many years in the Drums and Pipes. So, I’ve been a Pipe Major a long time. When I left, I worked for Mohammad Al Fayed as close protection security, and he asked me to get a Harrods’s pipe band going. We piped in the store and for dignitaries, as well as at his castle in Scotland.”

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An instrument of war and heritage

“The pipes date back to the 14^th century are basically a war instrument, although they haven’t been played in combat now for over 40 years, since the Falklands War.” Andy tells us. “A lot of Clan chiefs had pipes or a personal piper to pipe them into battle. They would also pipe them into dinner and pipe them into the grave!

“I play the pipes at lots of funerals and lots of weddings, it’s a very traditional thing here. They are preserving Scottish and Gaelic music and heritage for future generations.”

My royal resume

“When I was in the army my ceremonial work consisted of The Trooping of the Colour and state occasions like the Queen’s Birthday parade,” Andy tells us. He has piped in military tattoos in Denmark, Canada, Germany and France, and at the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. “I also piped at state banquets for Buckingham Palace and the British Royal Family. When a President, King or Queen from another country was visiting, pipers would play around the table.”

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Enduring connections

“I was piping at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for King Juan Carlos of Spain and his wife Queen Sofia, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II,” says Highland Piper Andy. “Following our traditional performance, I was asked to play a solo for the Queen Mother. It was a very unexpected and memorable occasion and I find that Luxury Gold guests love hearing all about this.

“I also met the Queen Mother on another occasion, whilst on guard duty at Windsor Castle. This is an amusing story that I share with guest when I meet them in Edinburgh. Suffice to say she left quite an impression on me.”

An exclusive audience for Luxury Gold guests

Andy delights in sharing the details of his encounters with the Queen Mother with Luxury Gold guests, after they dine at the exclusive Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh. A grand finale to their time in the vibrant Scottish capital, Highland Piper Andy tells us “I go in and play a couple of tunes and introduce myself. We then talk, share a few stories and I answer any questions that guests might have. I’ll also get them to join in a bit with me. It is always lots of fun. I find that people are very interested in the bagpipes and piping, I think it resonates with everyone.”

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A cherished heirloom

“My pipes belonged to my great grandfather, and he bought them in 1888,” explains Andy, adding that they gain in value as they are handed down through the generations. “The bag itself is perishable and you also change the reeds when needed. But the pipes themselves are what you pay for. The wood is a very hard brittle wood called Mpingo. It is an African Blackwood, the best wood you can find and is worth around $20,000 a meter.

“When I first meet guests, they are often very intrigued and impressed by my uniform. The question I am asked most is how much does it weigh? It’s heavy because of the traditional Eight Yard kilt, the bonnet, shoes and pipes and comes in at 22 kilos which is about 45 lbs.”

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A sound that resonates across the globe

“The Great Highland Pipes that I play originated in Scotland. But there are around 70 different types of bagpipes throughout the world,” says Andy. “There are Scottish Small Pipes and Scottish Parlor Pipes for example. There’s the Northumbrian Pipe and in Ireland the Uilleann Pipes. In Brittany in France, you have the Bretton pipers. They’re all Celtic nations. Pipers also played a similar looking pipe in Northern Spain, and even in Romania and places like that you can find pipes. They all have different styles of course.

“The Great Highland Bagpipes were the musical symbol of war; they were played in battle. My great grandfather played in battle in the Boer War, my grandfather played in the battle in the Somme and at Gallipoli.”

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The next generation

“Pipes will never go out of fashion,” Highland Piper Andy says. “In Scotland the collieries all have pipe bands and that’s where they all stem back to. They are taught in school as well. Every Scottish High School in Scotland has a band or at least a few pipers. New Zealand has more pipers and pipe bands per population than anywhere else in the world and some of the best competition pipe bands can be found in Canada.

“With bagpipes found all over the world, they resonate for so many people. It’s also such a versatile instrument, associated with everything from weddings and dancing to military processions and funerals. Be it a highland fling or the haunting melody of Amazing Grace, when the pipes start playing, they always raise the hairs on the back of your neck.”

For the opportunity to meet Andy Coulter for yourself and hear the unforgettable sound of the Highland Bagpipes, take a look at our British Royale luxury tour.

With everyone looking forward to the crowning moment, one of the most iconic symbols of the British monarchy, the St. Edward’s Crown will take centre stage at the coronation of King Charles III this weekend. This magnificent crown has been worn by many monarchs during their coronation ceremonies, including HRH, the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Made of solid gold and embellished with precious stones, its history dates back over a thousand years.

The role of the St. Edward’s Crown

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A monarch wears the St. Edward’s Crown just once in a lifetime, when the Archbishop of Canterbury places it on their head during the crowning moment of the coronation ceremony. For King Charles III, this will be during his coronation at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6.

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The crown is only worn for a short period of time during the service, after which it is replaced by the Imperial State Crown. This is the crown that the monarch wears to depart from the Abbey, and for all other crown-related moments throughout their reign.

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A thousand years of history

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The St. Edward’s Crown was made for King Charles II in 1661, as a replacement for the medieval crown which had been melted down in 1649. The original crown can be traced back to the 11th century. It was thought to be first created for the crowning moment of the coronation of King Edward the Confessor in 1066.

Although not an exact replica of the medieval crown, it too features the four crosses-pattée and four fleurs-de-lis, and the two arches of the original design.

The crown is named after King Edward the Confessor, one of England’s most revered monarchs. He was known for his piety and was believed to have been able to perform miracles. Edward the Confessor was considered to be a saintly figure, and it was believed that the crown had the power to bestow divine blessings on the monarch who wore it.

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Dazzling jewels

444 precious and semiprecious gemstones adorn the crown’s gold frame. These include rubies, sapphires, topazes, garnets, amethysts and tourmalines. The solid gold frame weighs 2.23kg (nearly 5lbs).

The largest stone is the magnificent Black Prince’s Ruby. This large red gem is set in the Maltese cross in the front of the crown. In fact, it is not a ruby but is one of the world’s largest gem-quality red spinels, a polished lump 5 cm (2 inches) long, pierced and partly filled with a small ruby.

One of the oldest parts of the Crown jewels, the ruby has been in the possession of the British monarchs since 1367 when it was given to his namesake Edward of Woodstock, known as the Black Prince.

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A revered heritage

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A symbol of the United Kingdom and the enduring power and majesty of the British monarchy, when King Charles III wears the St. Edward’s Crown during the crowing moment of his coronation, he will be following in the footsteps of many of England’s greatest monarchs.

Six have been crowned with St. Edward’s Crown since the Restoration: Charles II (1661), James II (1685), William III (1689), George V (1911), George VI (1937) and Elizabeth II (1953).

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The Tower of London – home of the crown jewels

The St. Edward’s Crown is kept at the Tower of London and is one of the most precious objects in the royal treasury. This iconic Castle and UNESCO World Heritage site is famously home to the Crown Jewels. This is the most complete collection of Royal regalia in the world.

The Crown Jewels have been protected at the Tower of London since the 1660s. They are guarded by the iconic Yeoman Warders. These 32 men and women are drawn from the Armed Forces and go by the nickname of ‘Beefeaters.’

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The Crown Jewels are a working collection that is used at annual state occasions. This includes the annual State Opening of Parliament as well as at less frequent occasions, such as coronations. Included in the collection are the Coronation Regalia, most recently used at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Along with the St. Edward’s Crown you have the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross, the Sovereign’s Orb and the Coronation Spoon.

Ceremony of the Keys

An exclusive after-hours visit to the Tower of London is just one of the exclusive experiences that make up our British Royale tour. Set against a backdrop of the twinkling lights of the British capital, walk the castle grounds in privacy and serenity under the watchful eye of a Yeoman Warder.

You’re also invited to experience the historic Ceremony of the Keys. This is the oldest practiced military ceremony in the world in which the outer gates of the fortress are locked for the night. The keys are then delivered to the monarch’s representative in the Tower, the Resident Governor. Enjoy a memorable inside look at the 700-year-old tradition that has stood the tests of even the most tumultuous times.

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An iconic symbol of culture and elegance, Japanese geisha have been entertaining high society for centuries. Although geisha can be found in several major cities across Japan, most of them work in Kyoto – the country’s capital of traditional culture. Highly skilled entertainers and fascinatingly mysterious, to see geisha in Kyoto remains an exclusive privilege.

Through music, literature and the art of intrigue, geisha have captured the imaginations of audiences around the world. Their distinct white makeup, elegant kimonos and pristine hairstyles are often the first images conjured up when thinking of traditional Japanese culture. Geisha women dedicate their lives to Japanese traditional arts.

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The history of geisha in Kyoto

Geisha history begins in the 13th century. Originally men known as taikomochi, they were employed to advise and entertain their lord. By the 16th century, they became closer to storytellers, relied on to generate conversation. Women started becoming geisha in the 17^th century and by mid century they had begun to outnumber the men.

Geisha in Kyoto were originally hired to entertain guests at tea houses, and were trained in the arts of music, dance and conversation. Over time, geisha became synonymous with the refined culture and sophistication of Kyoto. They were highly respected and admired for their skills and beauty. Their main function was to provide an atmosphere of elegance and fun for wealthy clientele.

Discover this on: Majestic Japan

An exclusive performance

Today there are only about 1,000 geisha in Japan. Many perform at tea houses – exclusive places, where only trusted customers are granted entry. Geisha-hosted dinners are expensive, high-class events so to be treated to a performance is quite a privilege.

As guests of Luxury Gold you’ll be treated to a performance by a Maiko, an apprentice geisha on Majestic Japan. You can distinguish between the two because maiko wear colorful kimonos with long sleeves and extravagant hairpins, while geisha wear plain kimonos with shorter sleeves. As you dine, you’ll enjoy a traditional performance of dance and entertainment whilst savoring a lunch of refined kaiseki cuisine.

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Training to become a geisha in Kyoto

Prior to World War II, there were about 80,000 geisha, but that dwindled in the decades that followed. By the late 20th century there were only a few thousand, almost all confined to Tokyo and Kyōto, where they were patronized by only the wealthiest businessmen and most influential politicians. However, in the past decade, the number is said to be slowly rising again as a new generation reconnects with their culture. It takes an average of six years to learn how to become a geisha and incorporates studying, mentorship, observation and practice.

Geisha in Kyoto were highly respected members of society and were admired for their grace, poise and intelligence. And now a growing number of young women in Japan are now making the choice to return to the highly regarded traditional art form as their livelihood. Together, by learning how to be a geisha, they have become the protectors and practitioners of the art and culture of a bygone era.

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Memoirs of a Geisha

Geishas have been a popular subject in literature and film for decades. An enduring image of Japanese culture, they have captured the imagination of audiences around the world. Though many books have been written, the strict code of silence from the geisha themselves leaves many a story romanticized. In fact, it could be a grueling profession, especially during war time.

Perhaps the most famous representation of geisha in film literature is Arthur Golden’s ‘Memoirs of a Geisha.’ This romantic, dramatic novel tells the story of a young girl who becomes a geisha in Kyoto before the war. The novel was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film in 2005, which starred Zhang Ziyi and won three Academy Awards.

However, controversy surrounded the production, with Japan and China heavily criticizing the film as being an inaccurate representation. And, though not based on a true story, a real geisha named Mineko Iwasaki sued the author for defamation as the book used similar characters and stories told to the author in private.  There is a strict code among geisha never to talk about clientele which left her a pariah of the community.

Another famous film that depicts the world of geishas is ‘Sayuri’, which was released in 2009 and is based on the true story of a geisha who became a spy for the Japanese army during World War II. The film explores the complex relationships and politics of the geisha world and offers a fascinating glimpse into the traditions and culture of Kyoto.

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Destination Kyoto

Steeped in history, Kyoto is home to roughly one quarter of Japan’s national treasures. As well as its iconic teahouses, the city is full of historic temples, sanctuaries and monuments that are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Exquisitely constructed shrines and palaces, with ornate architecture sit amongst manicured gardens and elegant courtyards.

A truly luxurious destination, Kyoto offers the perfect blend of tradition, elegance and mindfulness to invigorate the body, mind and soul of any traveler. The city is also home to many exceptional restaurants and magnificent hotels purveying the very best of Japan’s world-renowned hospitality.

To experience the magic of geisha in Kyoto for yourself, take a look at our Majestic Japan limited edition tour.