ORGANISERS of one of the world's biggest piping festivals are promising a "fantastic" atmosphere to carry on the momentum from the Commonwealth Games.

About 50,000 spectators and 8,000 musicians from around the world are expected at Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival next week.

There will be more than 150 events over seven days, including performances and competitions around the city.

Musicians from as far afield as New Zealand, Australia, America and Canada are among the 26 countries taking part, as well as from France and Spain.

Festival organiser Alisdair McLaren said: "It's going to be a fantastic atmosphere, especially straight after the Games. It's going to be carrying on from that.

"Bringing all these musicians in from around the world will mean the atmosphere is electric."

The festival hub is at the National Piping Centre, Cowcaddens, but there will also be an event space in Candleriggs. Performances will take place there while there will also be a street food festival.

Orther events will include Live! At The Street Cafe, the Inter­national Quartets Competition, Pipe Idol, Music Of The Nations.

Piping Live! director Roddy MacLeod said: "It is important for us to bring performances into the city centre because it gives Glaswegians and visitors a taste of the festival.

"It gives them a chance to see the best Highland bagpipe bands from around the world and also piping disciplines that can take them by surprise and sound very different from the expected."

The festival runs from August 11 to 17 and culminates in the World Pipe Band Championships.