Glasgow International Piping Festival begins with parade through city centre

One of the largest piping festivals in the world has got under way in Glasgow - marking the 16th year of the event.

The Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival officially began on Monday with a Big Band parade through the city centre led by Lord Provost Eva Bolander.

Ms Bolander then joined in with a performance of Highland Cathedral in front of the City Chambers in George Square to celebrate the launch of the festival.

The Big Band comprises 130 pipers from across the world, including Canada and New Zealand, with the parade this year in aid of the Heart of Scotland Appeal from Heart Research UK.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Novice Juvenile Pipe Band also performed on the steps of Buchanan Galleries to mark the start of the festival.

Ms Bolander welcomed the opening of the festival and said the parade was “a sight to behold''.

“I'm looking forward to Piping Live! and the Worlds,'' she said.

“They're marvellous celebrations of bagpipe music and bring people from around the world together.

“I'm delighted to be able to join in and have been practising furiously after a long break.

“It's great fun and a wonderful sight to behold pipers sporting tartan from every corner of the globe.''

Roddy MacLeod, Piping Live! festival director, said: “We are delighted to welcome so many pipers and musicians from all over the world to this year's Piping Live!

“We'd like to thank Scottish Fire and Rescue Novice Juvenile Pipe Band for kicking off our biggest festival to date in style.

“We also thank Lord Provost Eva Bolander for not only being our Piping Live! 2019 chieftain but for performing alongside our Big Band, many of whom have travelled thousands of miles for this festival.''

He added: “This week we welcome tens of thousands of people from across the globe to Glasgow to enjoy the very best piping and trad music in the world, as well as some fantastic family events.

“We really do have something for everyone and can't wait to welcome you all.''

Michael Clark, Pipe Major of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Novice Juvenile Pipe Band, said: “We are thrilled to be playing at Piping Live! this year, our third year in a row.

“The band work hard all year round so it's a real honour to get this year's festival off to a start."