Celebrities from the world of sport, music and food have given a massive boost to the inaugural Edinburgh Pipe Band Championship, pledging their support.
The event will bring together hundreds of pipers and drummers from across Scotland to the Royal Highland Centre on Sunday 24th July.
And former Scottish rugby internationalist Gavin Hastings, musician Dame Evelyn Glennie and food writer and cook, Lady Claire Macdonald, have backed the championship, the first piping event to be held in the Scottish capital in over 15 years.
Bands from across Scotland, including Inveraray & District, Fife Constabulary, Pipes and Drums of Central Scotland Police, Turriff & District and Newtongrange, will battle it out for the championship title in front of newly appointed Chieftain Ian Embelton, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association. Taking on his first role as Chieftain, Mr Embelton will take the salute from the bands in the grand finale.
The Edinburgh Pipe Band Championship takes place on Sunday 24th July at the Royal Highland Centre in association with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Lothian & Borders Branch. Highland Dancing, Drum Major competitions and Highland Games are also part of the day.
Commenting on why he’s supporting the event, Gavin Hastings said:-“To have hundreds of pipers and drummers gather in Edinburgh at the Royal Highland Centre for the inaugural Edinburgh Pipe Band Championship will be a momentous occasion. I wish them every success.”
Percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie said:-“For me the music of the bagpipes evokes memories of the hills, the lochs and the sea from my homeland. It runs richly through my veins and the rhythm beats in my heart wherever I am around the world. The Edinburgh Pipe Band Championship is an important landmark that celebrates the past, present and future of our piping, snare drumming and dancing traditions.”
Lady Claire Macdonald said:-“Piping is a major part of our Scottish heritage and tradition so I was thrilled to hear that our Scottish capital will be hosting its first ever pipe band championship in July. The Edinburgh Pipe Band Championship is a landmark occasion and I wish the hundreds of pipers and drummers involved every success.”
Archie Glendinning, event organiser and director of the Royal Highland Centre said:
“To get these endorsements is just terrific. This support combined with the overwhelming response from pipe bands entering the championship is providing a great platform for the event. It’s shaping up to be a hotly contested event.”
Tickets for the Edinburgh Pipe Band Championship are available to purchase online at: www.edinburghpipebandchampionship.com Tickets are priced at £7 for adults and children (under 16) go free. Car parking is £4.
