Huge entry for World Pipe Band Championships

A total of 235 bands from all over the world will compete in this year's World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green in August!

Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 6 July 2016 15:27

One of the biggest fields in the history of the World Pipe Band Championships will compete at Glasgow Green on August 12 and 13. A total of 235 bands from all over the world will make the journey in the hope of securing the ultimate prize in Pipe Band competition.

Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band are the defending World Champions after they became the first Scottish band to win the coveted title in more than a decade. The World Pipe Band Championships have been associated with Glasgow for more than 60 years and have been held in the city continuously for the last 30 years.

Entries have been received from as far afield as Canada, USA, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Zimbabwe as well as from across Europe, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Full ticket information is available at www.theworlds.co.uk. You can also buy tickets by calling 0141 353 8000 and in person at the Royal Concert Hall box office. Family tickets for 3 children and 2 adults for the full final day of competition cost £31 and hospitality packages are also available. Tickets for the showpiece Grade 1 competition are still on sale but usually sell out in advance.
The World Pipe Band Championships welcomes up to 8000 pipers and drummers from around the world. Also on offer is a fantastic Children’s zone, Highland Dancing, Highland Games and great food and drink.

Ian Embelton, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: “Glasgow has been home to the World Pipe Band Championships for the last 30 years and the appetite from bands to come and play at Glasgow Green remains as strong as ever. We can look forward to an event that will be a fantastic celebration of Pipe Bands that will showcase the hard work and dedication that goes into being the best in the world. Glasgow Green will come alive when the Worlds return next month for what will be an unforgettable event.”

Piping Live!, the world’s biggest week of piping, celebrates Scotland’s national instrument and it’s culture between 8 and 14 August with concerts from the world’s top traditional musicians, performances by pipe bands from across the globe, family fun days and even come and try sessions. Headlined by the globally-famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers (Saturday 13th, O2 ABC), the festival will also feature daily performances by some of the best pipe bands from across the world, which will take place in Glasgow’s main civic space, George Square. You can also enjoy hearing bagpipes from other countries such as Slovakia, Spain, France and Ireland, which look and sound very different from the Great Highland Bagpipes.

For more information and to book tickets: www.pipinglive.co.uk

Glasgow will host the World Pipe Band Championships until 2021. The event is delivered by Glasgow Life on behalf of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and Glasgow City Council and is supported by EventScotland and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.