Ceilearadh - By Simon Thoumire

The National Piping Centre

Ceilearadh - By Simon Thoumire

The National Piping Centre

Ceilearadh (warbling) explores the intersection of nature, language, and music, translating the rhythms and calls of birds as captured in traditional Gaelic verse into extended musical forms:

Highland Bagpipe Sonata No 1 – A’ Bhuidheag (The Yellowfinch) performed by Simon McKerrell

Highland Bagpipe Sonata No 2 – A’ Chearc (The Chicken) performed by Fionnlagh Mac A Phiocair

Highland Bagpipe Sonata No 3 – An Trilleachan San Traigh (Oyster Catcher on the Shore) performed by Bede Patterson 

Date and time

2025-08-14 14:15:00

Venue

The National Piping Centre

Each 9–11 minute work draws inspiration from historic Gaelic poetry about birds, creating a unique bridge between Scotland’s ancient literary traditions and contemporary musical expression. While respecting the deep traditions of Highland piping, these three sonatas push creative boundaries to offer something genuinely fresh in the bagpipe literature. 

Hosted by the Pibroch Network. Preceded by canntaireachd and conversation at 1:30pm.

The Artists


Barnaby Brown


Simon Thoumire


Simon McKerrell


Fionnlagh Mac a’ Phiocair


Bede Patterson


The Pibroch Network

The Venue


The National Piping Centre

The centre serves as a national and international centre of excellence for the great Highland Bagpipe and its music.

The Festival Site with the Centre Stage and Bothy Tent, as well as our food and drink tents will be on outside here on McPhater Street.


PLEASE BE AWARE


  • You will need a Festival Site Day ticket (or Festival Week Pass) to access the events from the 11th -15th of August 
    If you arrive at the Festival Site without a valid day/week entry ticket you will be required to buy one at the door.


  • Your Festival Site Day Ticket provides entrance to the festival site where we will have two stages of world class artists running alongside other attractions.
  • Once you have completed the purchase of your Festival Day Site Ticket and paid for it, you can access tickets for additional events. 
  • These additional events include the RG Hardie & Co Solo Piping Masters Competition; the Gordon Duncan Memorial Piping Competition; the Pipe Idol Grand Final; the Lunchtime Recitals and Learn@Live.
  • You cannot attend these events if you have not purchased a Festival Day Site Ticket
  • It's the same if you have bought a Festival Week Pass. If you wish to attend any of the additional events, you can buy tickets using the link on the purchase confirmation email for the Festival Week Pass. 


  • The confirmation page and email for your Festival Day Site Ticket purchase contains a link to the page for tickets for the additional events. 
  • You don’t have to buy all your tickets at once - you can buy your tickets for these additional events later on using the link in the confirmation email you received when you bought your Festival Day Site Ticket . 


  • For evening ticketed events at the National Piping Centre, Strathclyde Suite at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and at St Luke’s you will not need to buy a Festival Day Site Ticket. 
  • You do not need a festival site pass for events on the 8th, 9th and 10th of August (eg. MacGregors Gathering events)


Accessibility

The National Piping Centre and Pipers' Tryst restaurant has step access at both doors.
There is a lift available from the side of the building to all floors.
During Piping Live! access is through the ramped entracne to the Street Cafe, cross the marquee and then out the other door to the lift area. There is also an accessible toilet here.
You can book a welcome through the WelcoME platform here
You can see full access information at Euan's Guide here

Date and time

2025-08-14 14:15:00

Venue

The National Piping Centre


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