From Dundee to London: Chasing Opportunity, Bagpipes and Big Dreams

What does it take to leave the comfort of home and start again in one of the world’s biggest cities? In this episode of the London Scots Podcast, host Ed McCabe sits down with Dundee-born bagpiper Glen Kelly, who is in the middle of making the leap from Scotland to London in pursuit of new opportunities and a life built around music.

Glen shares his journey from growing up in Dundee and nearby Monifieth to becoming a dedicated bagpiper, learning through the Boys’ Brigade before progressing through competitive pipe bands and developing a successful career playing weddings, funerals and special events. He reflects on the strong sense of community that comes from growing up in a smaller Scottish city, where everyone seems to know everyone else, and why he eventually felt the need to break out of familiar surroundings and challenge himself somewhere new.

The conversation explores Dundee’s transformation in recent years, from the waterfront redevelopment to the V&A Museum, and why Glen remains one of the city’s biggest advocates despite his growing love affair with London. He talks about balancing life between Dundee and the capital, sleeping on a friend’s air mattress while building a client base, and his ambition to establish himself as a full-time professional piper in one of the world’s most competitive cities.

Ed and Glen also discuss the surprising cultural differences between Scotland and London, from saying thank you to bus drivers to the challenge of building meaningful connections in a city of millions. Their conversation turns into a fascinating discussion about kindness, community, loneliness and the importance of small daily interactions with strangers. They explore why simple conversations can have such a powerful effect on well-being and why many people are beginning to push back against a world dominated by smartphones and social media.

Along the way, Glen talks about Scotland’s piping tradition, the pipe band scene, Scottish identity abroad, and how wearing a kilt in London often becomes an instant conversation starter. He also shares his thoughts on the opportunities and challenges that social media creates for independent performers and small businesses, revealing how he uses AI tools like ChatGPT to help run and grow his bagpiping business.

Whether you’re a Scot living away from home, someone considering a big move, or simply interested in stories of ambition, music and personal growth, this episode offers an honest and engaging look at what it means to start a new chapter while staying connected to your roots.

Topics covered:

• Growing up in Dundee and Monifieth

• Scotland’s pipe band culture

• Moving from Scotland to London

• Building a career as a professional bagpiper

• The importance of community and friendship

• Kindness, conversation and modern life

• Scottish identity in London

• Social media, AI and self-employment

• Music, culture and finding opportunity in a big city

To learn more about Glen’s work as a bagpiper, visit glensbagpiping.co.uk.