The Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band is delighted to announce that our ‘Pre-Worlds’ concert this year will be headlined by the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band from Canada, on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 at The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow.
78th Pipe Major Michael Grey commented “Making music for performance outside of competition is a huge part of what the 78th is about. The band thrives on it and building a big show like the kind needed for the pre-Worlds stage is a challenge that just fires the bunch of us up in a big way!
“It’s been a few years since I’ve been back in the 78th fold and in that time the tunes, the arrangements, have been percolating nicely. This time, we’ve opted to lean into Canada and so we’ll be celebrating some of the music of the Great White North, including the deep reservoir of tunes and culture that is Quebec. These pre-Worlds shows are always special, bands never fail to lay out their best. It’s almost amazing to me that I will be part of another Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band-sponsored show after having had the good luck to play Skye’s first promotional venture, the 78th’s Live in Scotland show in Motherwell, many years, and reeds, ago. People can expect a few surprises this time around!”
Drum Sergeant Drew Duthart said “It will have been 23 years since I last played the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with the Frasers, which was a lot of fun, and now 23 years on, I get to do it all over again with some great musicians – and great drummers!”
Kurt Mackintosh on behalf of the Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band added “We are delighted to have the 78th perform at this year’s concert. They are a fantastic concert band and have been a huge part of the pre world’s journey with the Skye. This will be the band’s forth time headlining the event having taken part in the very first pre worlds concert back in 1994 with the famous Live in Scotland show. They headlined again in 1999 with their “Flame of Wrath” concert and had their last appearance in 2003 with their Seanchaidh concert, so they are long overdue a return!
“Having spoken to Mike numerous times over the past six months or so, I know how excited the band is to perform on the big stage once again and I’m sure we are in for another fantastic evening at the Royal Concert Hall.”
Tickets are now on sale and available directly from the RCH box office – in person, via telephone (0141 353 8000) or online at Glasgowlife.org.
For updates on the show and all the latest band news, go to www.the78th.online
The Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band has been proudly producing the ‘Pre-Worlds’ concert since 1994. It aims to showcase the best pipe bands in the world to a local and international audience.
