Glasgow's Piping Live! festival officially gets under way

More than 50,000 people are expected to turn out for the world's biggest piping festival over the next week.

Streuan MacPhee (5) and the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band get things going at Piping Live! 2016. Picture: John Devlin

Piping Live! Glasgow’s International Piping Festival began on Monday with members of the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band performing on the Royal Concert Hall steps.

Band member Murray Drylie said: “We’re so happy to be making our Piping Live! debut but to be the first pipers to play a note is a true honour.

“We’ve always been fans of the festival and, each year, we’re blown away by the array of talent who travel from across the world to Glasgow.”

Streuan MacPhee (5) and the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band get things going at Piping Live! 2016. Picture: John Devlin

Glasgow will host about 200 events, with George Square acting as the festival’s city centre hub where daily performances will take place.

• READ MORE: In pictures: Countdown to Piping Live! 2016 begins

Performers from all around the world will travel to play at the event, headlined by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Other acts include Anxo Lorenzo, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton.

The World Pipe Band Championships will take place at Glasgow Green on August 12 and 13, welcoming 235 bands from as far as New Zealand to battle it out to become world champions.

The Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band launch this year's Piping Live! Picture: John Devlin

Festival director Roddy MacLeod said: “This year’s festival is all about celebrating the pipes and being at the heart of the moments that matter in life.

“From marching onto the battlefield, to wedding ceremonies and funerals; bringing in the New Year, to celebrating Scottish heritage - bagpipes are always at the heart of huge moments.”

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