Skirls aloud at Piping Live

40,000set towatch200 events in city

THE streets of Glasgow came alive with the sounds of the pipes and drums as Piping Live descended on the city.

Glasgow’s International Piping Festival, Piping Live! runs until Sunday and celebrations for the beginning of its 14th year got under way.

There was a special performance from The Scots School Albury Pipe and Drums, who travelled 16,000 miles from New South Wales, Australia.

The School’s Pipe Major, Sebastian Turner said: “We’re delighted to be a part of Piping Live!, the band work hard all year round to be involved in an event of this calibre.”

Crowds gathered and cheered for the pipers yesterday in George Square.

One spectator said: “I’m really enjoying the piping, I used to pipe when I was a boy. I come every year and this year I’ve brought my grandchildren with me.”

During this time, Glasgow becomes the world centre for piping lovers, giving fans, families and tourists the opportunity to watch some of the best piping from across the world. Every year new talent surfaces from the event, with this year’s participants including those from Canada, Argentina, Estonia, Czech Republic and Italy.

The festival includes a number of special events, varying from workshops, masterclasses, concerts and street performances in some of the busiest areas of Glasgow.

Robbie McLeod, director of Piping Live!, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome pipers and musicians from all over the world to Piping Live!. It’s a huge honour to host the world’s biggest week of piping.”

The piping festival is expected to attract more than 40,000 spectators to around 200 events across the week.