Events' success prove the enduring popularity of piping

The most recent highlights of Glasgow's annual events calendar - the World Pipe Band Championships and Piping Live! festival- have once again proved a great success for the city.

Hugely popular with spectators from near and far, the prestigious 'Worlds' always attracts visitors from near and far and attendance at this year's championships on Friday and Saturday 16 and 17 August was around 35,000.

More than 7,000 pipers and drummers - representing 204 bands from 13 countries as far away as Australia, Hong Kong and Oman - came together to compete in the ultimate 'battle of the bands'.

The grand finale of the renowned event culminated in Inveraray & District Pipe Band being named the 2024 World Champions. The Argyll and Bute band previously won the coveted title in 2017 and 2019, and also won this year's Scottish Pipe Band Championships.

Glasgow's Piping Live! international festival closed on Sunday 18 August following a packed nine-day programme celebrating both the traditional and contemporary music of the bagpipes. Over 30,000 attendees were welcomed to what was one of the most popular editions of the event to date. It saw more than 700 musicians taking part in a diverse range of 150 inclusive events ranging from parades and mass performances to workshops, concerts and recitals.

The excellent attendance at both Piping Live! and the 'Worlds' demonstrates the strength of interest and enthusiasm there is globally for the stirring sounds of our national instrument, and in the music and culture of Scotland. The continued success of both annual events helps enhance Glasgow's international reputation as an outstanding events destination, boosts tourism, and contributes significantly to the local economy.