Glasgow has kicked off the 2024 World Pipe Band Championships.
The annual event is taking place today and tomorrow at Glasgow Green.
The city hosted the renowned championships for the first time in 1948 and has staged every edition since 1986.
The prestigious international contest, which is the pinnacle of competitive piping, brings together thousands of pipers and drummers from all over the world for the ultimate ‘battle of the bands’.
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More than 35,000 attendees gathered in Glasgow Green last year to watch the finest bands in the world compete, and the spectacular finale which culminated in Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band winning the World Champions title for the first time, bringing the crown home to Scotland.
With an increased number of bands competing in the 2024 World Pipe Band Championships, the contest is set to be even more fiercely contested this year.
Representing 13 countries from as far afield as Australia, China, and Oman, 204 bands will take part.
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Attendees at this year’s Worlds can look forward to seeing 204 bands competing with 119 of them from Scotland.
Northern Ireland will have 25 bands, the USA brings 18 bands, and Canada comes with 10 bands. This will be the first year that a band fom Hong Kong is taking part in the contest.
Well over 7,000 pipers and drummers will take over Glasgow Green, all resplendent in their band uniforms of kilts in a variety of vibrant tartans, worn with sporrans and Glengarry bonnets.
We previously reported how leading up to the event Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Chief Executive, Colin Mulhern, said: “Now that the final countdown is on to the 2024 Worlds, excitement is definitely intensifying and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to Glasgow Green on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 August.
“The championships are incredibly popular with the international piping community as well as supporters and spectators.
"Experiencing the incredible sights, sounds and atmosphere of the Worlds, and its spectacular finale, is always unforgettable.”
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Meanwhile Glasgow Life Chair, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “The World Pipe Band Championships is an annual highlight of Glasgow’s fantastic cultural events calendar and the renowned international event shines the global spotlight on our city every year, attracting competitors, spectators and audiences from all over the world.
“The championships and the Piping Live! festival demonstrates the strength of worldwide interest in Scottish culture and the music of Scotland’s national instrument.
"These fantastic events are extremely important to, and valued by Glasgow as they further enhance the city’s cultural profile, boost tourism, and contribute significantly to our economy.”
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