A PIPER has been hit with a refund demand from a bride after he was spotted holding a “pint” in her wedding pictures.
Professional musician Craig Lawrie was accused of drinking on the wedding day and being “unprofessional”.
A furious Craig is refusing to hand back the money, insisting he was holding nothing more alcoholic than a blackcurrant and lemonade.
The 26-year-old from Glasgow went a step further by posting the bitter exchange on social media – together with pictures of his piping trophies.
His post has even been shared by Scots comedian Kevin Bridges, who wrote: “State of this. Piper shows up, does his pipes and gets sent this. Seriously, get a life.”
Craig was paid to pipe at the wedding of the couple, known only as Sarah and Marshal, at a hotel in Renfrew on June 6.
The day itself passed off with a hitch but the trouble started when the bride saw some of her guests’ photographs, one of which showed Craig with a pint glass.
Sarah, in a text since posted online by Craig, wrote: “Firstly thank you for piping at our wedding. Everyone loved it and it definitely made our day special.
“I have one issue, however. In one of our guest photos you’re seen drinking a pint and I’m not happy at this.”
She added: “I hired you thinking you were professional and don’t want to look through photos on Facebook to see my piper drinking, as I think this would affect your performance to pipe me and Marshal into dinner.
“I want my money back because I’m not happy about the photos being ruined. Please respond.”
Craig replied: “I’m absolutely shocked you started by saying how great I was to then slate me for drinking a pint of blackcurrant and lemonade purchased by your best man.
“If you’re saying it would cause harm to my performance, you’re wrong. This is my job and I take it very seriously.
“Getting your money back is absolutely out of the question.”
Craig has not disclosed how much he charged for the performance but pipers can charge in the region of £200 to perform at a wedding.
The angry bride hit back: “You’re taking the p***. You were not professional. Doesn’t matter what you were drinking – it doesn’t look good in photos.
“I would never hire you again. You’re a terrible piper.”
Craig responded by sending Sarah four pictures of himself holding various piping trophies he has been awarded over the years.
His posts have been flooded with comments from amused and angry piping fans.
Sylvia Ronald said: “Absolutely ridiculous, it’s customary to buy the piper a drink. She should be ashamed of herself. Tell her to sod off.”
Jen Gibson added: “Are they having a laugh? Show me a piper who hasn’t had a drink at a gig or event and I’ll show you a liar.”
Craig made a joke of the situation by uploading an old picture of himself sat on a beach holding a bottle of Drambuie, with the caption: “Lucky the bride didn’t see this!”
He said: “It’s the best complaint I’ve ever had. It makes me glad I’m single – I’m scared I could end up with someone like her.”
