It’s skirls aloud in Glasgow Green as pipe bands get set to compete
TALENTED pipe bands from across the world will compete in a championship competition in Glasgow next month.
The World Pipe Band Championships will feature 214 bands from 13 countries on August 17 and 18 at Glasgow Green when around 8000 pipers and drummers will compete for the ultimate prize.
More than a quarter of the total entries will come from overseas with nations represented including New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, France, Canada, Oman, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Eire, USA, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Up to 40 per cent of the competitors this year are expected to be under the age of 25.
The World Pipe Band Championships is part of the Partner Programme for the Year of Young People 2018.
Glasgow first hosted the World Pipe Band Championships in 1948 and has been the host city for the event every year since 1986.
This year, the Chieftain of the World Pipe Band Championships will be Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Eva Bolander, who first visited the city as a piper in a band and has shown off her skills on the pipes.
She said: “Some bands spend years raising funds and saving i n order to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships.
“That so many are making the effort in 2018 to come to the city shows just how much these championships mean to them and their supporters.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone i n August and witnessing the fierce but friendly competition. The Worlds promises to be an incredible occasion.
“It’s an event Glasgow is always proud to host for it secures our reputation as the piping capital of the world.”
Tickets for the event and full information will be available via www.theworlds. co.uk