Hundreds line streets to celebrate Scotland’s biggest week of bagpipes

Hundreds of pipers have marched through the streets of Glasgow to celebrate the full return of Scotland’s biggest week of bagpipes.

A record 170 people took part in the Piping Live! Big Band this year, which saw the pipers march as one collective sound through the city’s West End, before arriving at Kelvingrove Art Gallery for a rousing repertoire of tunes.

Around 30,000 people are expected to visit over 150 events in the city during The World Pipe Band Championships and Piping Live! before the culmination on Sunday.

Taking place from Saturday, August 10 until Sunday, August 18, the annual event is run by the National Piping Centre and is now in its 21st year.

The festival will feature pipers from Hong Kong, as well as participants from Germany, Australia and towns and cities across Scotland.

It is also the return of the Piping Live! festival, an annual event that brings the finest pipers and drummers to compete in the ultimate “battle of the bands”, from August 10 to 18.

Last year’s two-day showcase of competitive piping featured 190 bands representing 15 nations and resulted in just under 9,000 pipers and drummers playing together before Scotland’s Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia were crowned 2023 World Champions.

Judy Gauci, a piper who came from Australia to the festival, told STV News: “I took up the pipes, much to my family’s horror.

“I’ve been playing for the last 15, 16 years now and I just can’t get enough of it really.”

Calvin Cheung from the Hong Kong collective said: “In Scotland piping atmosphere is obviously much better than in our home.

“It’s really great for us to meet with pipers from all around the globe and different walks of life.”

Glasgow Life Chair, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “Bagpipes are synonymous with Scotland’s culture and heritage, and there’s certainly no better place or time than Glasgow during Piping Live! to experience the stirring sounds of our national instrument, and enjoy its traditional and contemporary music.

“The vibrant and packed programme in this year’s festival offers a diverse array of piping events and activities – from the Big Band parade to performances and practice sessions – that really shine a light on just how versatile the bagpipes are.

“The huge popularity of both Piping Live!, and the prestigious World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green on August 16 and 17, demonstrate the strength of interest, enthusiasm and passion there is globally in piping, as well as the incredible talent of players of all ages.

“Both events are incredibly important to Glasgow, a UNESCO City of Music, and we are proud of their continued success and to be hosting them once again as they attract and delight visitors from near and far.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: “Piping Live! brings Glasgow to life with the sound of Scotland’s national instrument and it’s fantastic to see that record numbers will be participating at the event this year.

“Communities come together around events like this and are able to create life-long memories as a result, so I am delighted that EventScotland is continuing its support of Piping Live! and I am sure that Glasgow will once again provide the perfect stage for the festivities.”

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