On Monday 11th August, over 150 pipers and drummers will gather at Mansfield Park in Partick, ranging from young learners playing their chanters, to seasoned professionals playing the pipes and drums in their retirement.

The Piping Live! Big Band is open to anyone who plays a practice chanter, bagpipes, snare, bass or tenor drum, or is a drum major. All ages are welcome, with past events welcoming people aged 8-86. Players can sign up to be part of the Piping Live! Big Band at www.pipinglive.co.uk/pages/piping-live-big-band. There is a £15 registration fee which covers the Big Band t-shirt and a donation to the chosen charity.

The route will once again take participants through the west end of Glasgow for the 2025 edition of the iconic event. The procession will set off at 12 noon from Mansfield Park and make its way down Dumbarton Road and Argyle Street before spectacularly culminating at the concourse outside Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Leading the parade will be Finlay MacDonald, Piping Live! Artistic Director and the Director of Piping at the National Piping Centre, and Dr Andrew Bova, Dan Nevans and Hazel Whyte of the National Piping Centre’s world-renowned teaching team.

Since its inception in 2016, the Piping Live! Big Band has worked in partnership with a chosen charity with all registrants making a donation to the charity through the entry fee.

This year, the event is supporting Scottland-based charity Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust.  

The Eilidh Macleod Memorial Trust is a charity established in honour of the talented piper, Eilidh Macleod, who died at age 14 in May of 2017 from the Manchester Arena Attack after the Ariana Grande concert. The trust aims to bring children and young people into the piping and musical communities by supporting their musical education in all genres and disciplines. The Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust has supported thousands of young musicians, offering them the opportunity to discover and share the same deep love of music that Eilidh MacLeod cherished.

Finlay MacDonald, Artistic Director for Piping Live!, said: “The Piping Live! Big Band parade is one of the highlights of the festival, so we’re delighted to bring the showcase back for the eighth time. It’s heartwarming to see so many performers of all ages and abilities come together, united by their love of Scottish music. It’s always an honour to lead the parade and launch the festivities, while raising money for a great cause.

“Piping continues to go from strength to strength, with its timeless appeal being represented on some of the greatest stages across the world. Everyone should have the opportunity to be part of that and have access to music and the arts, that’s why this year’s charity partnership is so important to us. We would encourage pipers and drummers of all abilities to come and be part of this really special, welcoming event.”

Iagan MacNeil of Eilidh’s Trust said: “Being this year’s Big Band charity partner is the perfect way to remember Eilidh through the music she loved and raising funds to support other young musicians in her memory.
 
“Eilidh would’ve loved this Big Band experience. She enjoyed piping and the confidence it gave her. Being part of the pipe band community and the fun, camaraderie, and friendships that it brought her was something that made Eilidh very happy. We know everyone taking part understand that feeling and will be piping and drumming for Eilidh. Thank you to Piping Live! for selecting us and we can’t wait to get marching.” 

Check out our webpage and register now!