The 16th year of Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival kicked off today with a welcome from Eva Bolander, Glasgow’s Lord Provost (the civic head of the local council) and Chieftain of the festival.
The Swedish-born politician welcomed the piping and pipe band world to the city – and joined in by playing alongside the Piping Live! Big Band after it played down West George Street to George Square.
Over 100 pipers and drummers from all over the world registered to participate and to raise funds for Heart Research UK in the process.
Ms Bolander said: “I am delighted to welcome everyone to the city in this the 16th year of this fantastic festival. The numbers taking part in the Big Band gets bigger every year and I applaud every one of you.”
Roddy MacLeod, Director of Piping Live! and Big Band Pipe Major said: “The weather for the parade was great and we’re delighted that we’re able to help raise funds for such an important charity which helps people across Scotland.
“We’d also like to thank Scottish Fire and Rescue Novice Juvenile Pipe Band earlier today who kicked off our biggest festival to date in style.”
The main event today is The Masters Solo Piping Competition. We will bring you the results of that later tonight.
Meanwhile, up at Otago Street, the former College of Piping, Jim McGillivray and Matt MacIsaac are taking part in the Piobaireachd of the Day, which today will include on the recent discovery of a piobaireachd written by Roderick Campbell, Lament for Sandy Cameron.
