Each week, we ask small businesses some key questions. This time we speak to Callum Fraser, known to all and sundry as Spud, who works as a professional bagpiper under the business name Spud the Piper
How and why did you start in business?
Born and raised on a hill farm at Slochd near Carrbridge, I spent the first 12 years of my working life as a long distance lorry driver for McPherson of Aberlour. Then, in 1999, Peter Steinle of Aviemore’s Cairngorm Hotel suggested that I become a professional piper.
My father, Ian Fraser, formerly pipe major of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, started me on the pipes when I was eight years old and I loved it. I played whenever the opportunity arose but to leave a steady job to take it up professionally was quite a step.
However, I took the plunge and became a full-time professional piper, playing every night of the week in the Cairngorm Hotel, Hilton Coylumbridge and Freedom Inn (Aviemore), plus a range of other gigs during the day.
How did you get to where you are today?
Hard work, good fortune and not being afraid to seize opportunities. When people employ a piper they want great music, a great show and a great personality to go with it and I try to give them all three. This all came together in 2000 when I played for Madonna when she arrived at Inverness Airport for her Skibo Castle wedding. It proved to be the biggest and best break of my career. I appeared in the worldwide media and am even mentioned in Madonna’s autobiography.
Over the years I have played in Kazakhstan, Moscow, China, Bangkok, Canada, Washington, New York and Amsterdam, and I also play for whisky companies locally.
Who helped you?
Peter Steinle helped me enormously until his sad death in 2004. He was a fantastic person and I still think of him a lot. He couldn’t have done more for me. Peter helped me get to the airport when Madonna arrived.
My wife, Karen, is a huge support and I also rely on the help and advice supplied by the Federation of Small Businesses when any business issues occur.
What has been your biggest mistake?
I can’t think of any mistakes. I feel happy with what I’ve achieved – it’s what I set out to do.
What was your greatest achievement?
I suppose that playing for Madonna was my greatest business achievement – people still talk about it 14 years later.
I was also the regional and national winner of the specialist category of the 2013 Scottish Wedding Awards and a finalist in the entertainment category of the 2014 awards. Oh, and I am an official piper to the Tartan Army.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
We have an autistic son, Euan, who is non-verbal and Karen and I think the government should do much more to help people get the training necessary to assist children with autism. Autism is a big deal in Scotland and if the Americans can provide help and support, why can’t our government do the same?
What do you still hope to achieve?
I’ve achieved my main business goal. I play at two weddings every weekend year-round and my diary for future years is filling up nicely, however, it’s always nice to win awards and I hope for one or two more of these in the years ahead.
What do you do to relax?
A run on the mountain bike through Rothiemurchus Forest and into the Cairngorms helps me relax. Loch Einich is very peaceful.
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on the TV?
I’m reading a book about autism and hope that it will help me to assist Euan. It’s about an autistic girl who is now an adult and tells how difficult life was for her when she was a child.
I don’t watch TV much as I don’t have time. The police camera action programmes are fun but they’re all repeats.
What do you waste your money on?
I have none to waste.
How would your friends describe you?
My friends complain that I’m always away piping somewhere but I would like to think that they like my personality.
What would your enemies say about you?
Enemies? I don’t have any.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I drive a Passat Blue Motion SE Estate. I would love a Passat Alltrack or a Discovery but with the miles I do fuel economy is paramount, so a fuel-guzzler is a bad idea.