Join us in the intimate setting of the Bothy for a performance of The Ardoch Suite, a new work for soprano saxophone and Highland bagpipes by Fraser Fifield. Inspired by the quiet landscapes of Glen Gairn and the story of Jean Bain—the last speaker of Deeside Gaelic—the suite is a musical reflection on land, language, and the history of the former Upper Deeside Gaeltachd.
2026-08-13 15:30:00
The National Piping Centre
You will need a Festival Site Ticket to see these events.
Festival Site Day Ticket: £10 Std / £9 Over 65 / U16 Free + booking fee
Festival Week Pass: £40 Std / £36 Over 65 / U16 Free + booking fee
Festival Week Pass + All NPC events: £149 Std / £134 Over 65 / U16 Free + booking fee
Fraser is joined for this performance by the versatile and acclaimed piper Ross Ainslie. Together, they weave a dialogue between saxophone and pipes that avoids cliché, seeking instead to represent a sense of "what if" regarding Scotland's lost connections to the land. This performance follows the suite's premiere alongside land campaigner Andy Wightman and offers a chance to experience an evocative, contemporary take on Scottish tradition in an atmospheric acoustic space.
This event will be on The Bothy stage within the Festival Site. The programming in the Bothy and on Centre Stage are included in your Festival Site day or week ticket.
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 the Centre on McPhater Street. Ticket information is available here
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.
There are accessible toilets on the ground floor and 1st floor of the building.
During Piping Live! access is through the ramped entrance to the Festival Site, with ramp access into the Bothy where there is a bar.
There is also step free access to the lift access, which will be staffed by volunteers to assist you to your floor.
There is also an accessible toilet next to The Bothy.
You can see full access information at Euan's Guide here
2026-08-13 15:30:00
The National Piping Centre
You will need a Festival Site Ticket to see these events.
Festival Site Day Ticket: £10 Std / £9 Over 65 / U16 Free + booking fee
Festival Week Pass: £40 Std / £36 Over 65 / U16 Free + booking fee
Festival Week Pass + All NPC events: £149 Std / £134 Over 65 / U16 Free + booking fee
Find out more about the tickets you will need for this year's festival - all on sale now!
Get all the news straight to your inbox by joining our mailing list!
Designed & built by Mucky Puddle