A major piping event in Moray, now in its fourth year, will feature the greatest number of bands yet to take part.
A record 127 pipe bands will be this year’s Piping At Forres, to be held on Saturday June 25 in the town's Grant Park. It is supported by the local distillery.
The list includes 11 grade one bands. They will come from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland including the current World Champions, Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia and 2015 European winners, Field Marshal Montgomery from Northern Ireland.
Whilst the majority of bands are from Scotland, some have signed up to play from Denmark, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and five school bands from Australia.
Of the bands from Scotland - 35 Bands are from Glasgow and the West of Scotland, 26 from Lothian and Borders and Fife, 18 from Dundee, Perth and Angus, 28 from the North of Scotland and six from Ayr, Dumfries and Galloway. Local bands from Forres, Elgin and District, RAF Lossiemouth, 2622 Highland Squadron RAF, Badenoch and Strathspey and City of Inverness have all signed up to play in front of their home crowd.
Chieftain for 2016 is former Runrig frontman Donnie Munro, who now combines his work as development director at Skye's Gaelic college Sabhal Mor Ostaig with his solo singing career.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, who run the competition, awarded the rights to Piping At Forres to host the competition until 2018. The official sponsor is Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Ian Embelton, Chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association said: “With so many bands signed up the Europeans look set to be a great competition this year. Forres is a wonderful venue and much enjoyed by the bands and I am always so impressed by the effort that goes in by the team in Forres to make this such a great day out for the whole family.”
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