Forget the Eurovision Song Contest – Europe is now tuning up for a very different musical extravaganza today.
The European Pipe Band Championships will attract thousands of band members and spectators to the Moray town of Forres.
Grant Park will host 123 bands, from all over Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, England, Belgium and elsewhere. The Royal Guard of Oman and Scotch College from Melbourne, Australia will also be there.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be playing for the first time as a joint service band.
People will not be allowed to bring alcohol, but there will be four beer tents, run by local publicans. Whisky will be available as one would expect from an event sponsored by Benromach Speyside Single Malt, who have a Forres distillery.
Forres Community Activities Association in 2008 had the idea of hosting a piping competition.
David Urquhart, the former joint managing director of Benromach's owners Gordon & MacPhail, was keen to help. He recruited Ian Widdowson of Beaver Travel in Forres, and they approached other local businesses and formed Forres Events Ltd.
Mr Urquhart said: "It's been a huge learning curve and at times more work than any of us could have imagined which we have to balance with our normal day job but with 123 bands signed up to play it will certainly be well worth it."
Carlo Miele, a director of Forres Events, who runs the Northern Fish Restaurant in Forres, said: "I got involved because I saw a wonderful opportunity to showcase what Forres has to offer."
Colin MacKinnon of the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service said: "The competition in Forres gives us a great opportunity for the people of Scotland to see the their new Fire Service Pipe Band in action and I am sure we will be able to count on the support of all the Fire Service personnel in the Moray area on the day to come out and support the band."
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