One of the conclusions of Allan MacDonald’s research into the mainstream performance style of the pibroch canon has been that, despite general recognition of oral transmission in Gaelic society over a period of at least two hundred years; if performed in the style of the present day, it would not have survived more than one generation. This was deduced by way of re-uniting the melodies and rhythms of songs closely associated with the pibroch repertoire and revealing them from the pibroch scores. This allowed us to understand what had divorced them so much from the cultural context in which they arose.

Pibroch Unchained, by Allan MacDonald and Thomas Zöller, is a series of recordings of all 16 of the Piobaireachd Society books. All the urlars have been fully recorded on chanter with subsequent variations played to an extent that provides the listener with a clear indication of the characteristics of different interpretations.

The music recordings are now being edited for an initial release of the first quota along with background commentary, discussion and relevant accompanying material. The release will occur following the initial launch and securing of crowd-funding.

The event itself aims to present the different aspects of the project and encourage interest from pipers and musicians in general as well as engage in discussion.

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 Venue

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