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The Bagpipes: A Cultural History - Book Launch

The National Piping Centre

The Bagpipes: A Cultural History - Book Launch

The National Piping Centre

Join author Richard McLauchlan and piping great Colin MacLellan as they bring to life the pages of Richard's new book, The Bagpipes: A Cultural History.

Date and time

2025-08-14 16:45:00

Venue

The National Piping Centre

Tickets

This event is Free but you will need a Festival Site Ticket to see these events.

Festival Site Day Ticket: £10 Std / £9 Over 65 / U16 Free + £1.50 booking fee

Festival Week Pass: £40 Std / £36 Over 65 / U16 Free + £1.50 booking fee

Festival Week Pass + All NPC events: £149 Std / £134 Over 65 / U16 Free + £1.50 booking fee

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From Emperor Nero to Treacherous Orchestra, from medieval cat pipes to modern tales of terrorist pipers, The Bagpipes is a history of piping like no other. Political commentator Alastair Campbell has called it 'a revelation for pipers like me, and for anyone interested in how an instrument can transform culture.'

In this event, Richard will take us into the heart of his findings, revealing the centuries-old political, cultural and emotional power of this revered, sometimes reviled, instrument. Colin's piping will stud these observations, providing the perfect illustrative element. Come and enjoy this eye- and ear-opening hour, which will conclude with a signing.

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