Flat out for the piping Olympics

Thousands of pipers will descend on Scotland’s biggest city this summer for the “Olympics of the pipe band world”.

The World Pipe Band Championships, known as The Worlds, take place in Glasgow on Saturday 11 August.

The city will also host the Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival from 6 to 12 August.

Around 40,000 visitors and 8,000 pipers, drummers and performers are expected to flock to the city for a week of traditional music.

Ian Embelton, of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: “London may have the Olympics but The Worlds has long been known as the Olympics of the pipe band world.

“Each year bands from over 11 countries come to Glasgow to compete for the coveted title of world champions, the piping equivalent of gold.”

Piping Live! festival director Roddy MacLeod said: “Whether you are a fan of traditional music, a newcomer to the genre or you want to pick up the pipes yourself, Piping Live! has something for everyone.”