Wareham Bagpiper Brings St. Paddy’s Spirit to Boston and Cape Cod

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, bagpipers become some of the most sought-after performers for parades, pub crawls and celebrations.

One of the SouthCoast's busiest pipers is West Wareham’s own Elizabeth Butts – better known as Beth the Bagpiper – who has packed her schedule with performances across the region from Boston to the Cape.

I got the chance to sit down and chat with Beth about her background, her love for bagpipes and her overall passion for music and pride.

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Originally from Middleboro, Beth has been playing the bagpipes for seven years.

Her journey began as a way to honor her strong Scottish heritage, particularly on her father’s McLeod side. Despite always thinking it would be “cool” to play, she dismissed it as impossible until a trip to Scotland in 2017 changed everything.

Beth and her husband Mike encountered only one piper on their trip, and as she stood listening in awe, an idea sparked.

“I turn 40 next month,” she thought. “I know he’s going to ask what I want for my birthday.”

After thorough research, she surprised Mike with her request for bagpipe lessons. His response: “Are you kidding me?”

However, Beth was serious, and $100 later, her journey had begun.

What started as a personal challenge quickly became a major part of her life.

Now, she’s the pipe sergeant for Colum Cille, a band based in Sandwich, Massachusetts. She also plays solo gigs, incorporating traditional and contemporary tunes into her performances.

A St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Marathon

While Beth’s heritage is primarily Scottish, she does have some Irish roots, and her skills are in high demand for St. Patrick’s Day.

This weekend, her schedule is stacked with performances:

Between large festival crowds and intimate bar performances, Beth thrives on the energy.

“Last year, I debuted ‘Sweet Caroline,’ and the moment people recognized it, the whole place lit up,” she said. “It’s so much fun feeding off that excitement.”

Beyond the Pubs: Weddings, Funerals and Community Events

Beth isn’t just a seasonal performer; her bagpipes play an important role year-round. She regularly performs at funerals, playing classics like “Amazing Grace” to provide comfort during emotional moments.

“Every time I play a funeral, I start my morning in prayer for that family,” she said

She also plays at weddings, birthday parties and veterans’ events.

One of her favorite gigs is giving educational presentations about bagpipes, where she shares their history and how they work.

“People love the sound but don’t always understand the mechanics behind them,” she said. “I like giving them a closer look.”

The Art and Challenge of Playing Bagpipes

Unlike many musicians who transition easily between instruments, Beth said her piano background didn’t necessarily help with bagpipes.

“Bagpipes only have nine notes, and they’re not sequential like on a piano,” she said.

Learning starts with a practice chanter, similar to a recorder, before graduating to the full instrument, which requires mastering breath control and pressure.

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“It’s like playing a recorder and an accordion at the same time,” she laughed. “I’d love to learn accordion, but that looks too hard.”

The Piping Road Ahead

With a jam-packed St. Patrick’s weekend and a steady stream of bookings throughout the year, Beth shows no signs of slowing down. Whether she’s leading a parade, playing at a wedding, or offering a heartfelt tribute at a funeral, her passion for the bagpipes is undeniable.

While she may have started this journey on a whim, Beth the Bagpiper has become pretty popular in the local world of bagpiping – one highland tune at a time.