More than 100 pipe bands march to Duthie Park for the European Championships
The competition is returning to the north east for the first time in 40 years
The European Pipe Band Championships is returning to Aberdeen tomorrow for the first time in over 40 years.
Duthie Park is expected to host 101 pipe bands as the event welcomes up to 4,000 competitors from across the world.
Local interest
Last years grade two drumming champions, Buchan Peterson Pipe Band, are looking forward to performing on their home turf this year.
"I think it will be absolutely fantastic for a major championships to be held in Aberdeen for the first time in many years," said Greg Skinner, drummer and band manager.
"The Duthie Park location is a very good setting and we see it as an excellent opportunity for the band to compete on our own turf.
Pipers and drummers from as far as Australia will be traveling to the North East to take part in the annual championship with the hopes of coming away with a title.
They're here due to school term times not fitting in with the World Championships, which take place in Glasgow in August.
And Mr Skinner says he's looking forward to competing on his doorstep: "Logistically it's a lot easier for us, we do a lot of traveling as a band so it actually saves us a lot of money having it in our own city.
"It's unusual for a championship, outside the World Championships in Glasgow, to be right in the city center so I think the opportunity for a major championship to be in a larger city like Aberdeen will make it a lot more accessible for people."
An Aberdeen debut, decades in the making
Mr Skinner has been playing in the pipe band since 1995, and this will be his first time competing in a major championship in Aberdeen.
"As a competitor I'm most looking forward to getting out onto the arena and giving it our best shot.
"I'm looking forward to the atmosphere on the day, being our local city, and really just enjoying watching all the very good grade one bands that will be attending as well."
Thousands of fans are expected to fill Duthie Park, where they can also enjoy family family activities and a selection of food and drink from local producers.
Mr Skinner said: "I think it will be a very good atmosphere, there will be a lot of people who are seasoned pipe band goers but there will also be a lot of people there who have never been exposed to the pipe band environment and I think it will be a festival type atmosphere."