HUNDREDS of pipers took to the streets of Glasgow on Monday to celebrate the opening of the much-loved Piping Live! festival.
Now in its 21st year, the festival welcomes more than 30,000 attendees to various spaces in Glasgow to enjoy the sights and sounds of Scotland’s national instrument.
The opening of the festival was marked by the Piping Live! Big Band, where a record number of pipers and drummers took to the city’s west end, marching from Mansfield Park in Partick to the iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Around 170 pipers – from young learners to seasoned professionals – took part in the march, including chanters, bagpipes, snare, bass and tenor drums.
Watch the full march here.
‘Set to be an unforgettable festival’
Participants came from all over Scotland and beyond, including Germany and Australia.
This year also marks the first year where pipers from Hong Kong have joined in on the celebrations.
The march took place in support of Glasgow-based charity Articulate Cultural Trust, which helps care-experienced and marginalised groups of young people to develop skills.
Finlay MacDonald, artistic director for Piping Live!, said: “One of the festival highlights, the Piping Live! Big Band showcase is such an exciting way to kickstart the festivities and celebrate Scottish culture and our national instrument in the perfect way.
“To have more pipers and drummers than ever before taking part in the parade today, and raising money for a great cause in the process, is a fantastic milestone for this inclusive event.
“We are very thankful to all those joining us on Glasgow’s streets in celebration today and across the week.
“It’s set to be an unforgettable festival and pipes will be ringing out across the city all this week! We would encourage everyone to come along to the events and see the world’s biggest piping festival in action!”
To find out more about the Piping Live! festival, click here.
