World Pipe Band Championships get under way in Glasgow
- Published
Bands from around the world are going head-to-head in a series of heats.
The World Pipe Band Championships are under way in Glasgow with 214 bands from 13 countries taking part.
About 8,000 pipers and drummers are competing, with the event culminating in the crowning of World Champions on Saturday.
On Friday, bands from around the world went head-to-head in a series of heats.
Glasgow first hosted the World Pipe Band Championships in 1948 and has been the host city for the event every year since 1986.
Darryll Matsika, 17, from Harare in Zimbabwe, is one of the many young musicians taking part in this year's competition.
The tenor drummer said the pipe bands were still a novelty in his country, and the reaction from people at the Worlds - as the championships are known - is one of surprise.
"Most people are actually shocked - currently we're the only pipe band in Zimbabwe.
Darryll Matsika from Harare in Zimbabwe is one of the many young musicians taking part
"The next pipe band that's closest to home is in South Africa."
Visiting Scotland for the second time, he added: "Hopefully we'll bring back some silverware.
"It's really been an experience, the weather's been quite beautiful compared to last time and the people are really friendly here. I've enjoyed it a lot."
Rachel McCulloch, 19 from Northern Ireland, is playing with the New Zealand Police Pipe Band.
She explained her usual band isn't playing so she was asked to play with the police band.
"It's the best experience, so friendly and you couldn't have picked a better bunch of people to play with really.
"It is tough going because you know you're up against so many good grade one bands.
"I guess it's just how we deliver the package and show them what we can do now."
Pipe bands are a big part of her life, she said.
Rachel McCulloch from Northern Ireland was invited to play with the New Zealand Police Pipe Band.
"I grew up around pipe bands, it's been a big part of my life and it always will be."
More than a quarter of the total entries are from overseas, with up to 40% under the age of 25.
Nations represented include New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, France, Canada, Oman, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, the Republic of Ireland, USA, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Premier event
John Hughes, chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said the pipe band tradition had spread to many countries, who viewed the Worlds as the pinnacle event in the calendar.
"Bands spend tens of thousands of dollars or whatever currency to come here, to compete in the premier event.
"Mostly the piping tradition has come from the British Army and from ex-pat Scots who have settled in these various countries, who have perhaps set up a Caledonia Society or a St Andrew's society and that tends to generate a lot of the overseas piping."
John Hughes is the chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association
Pipers and drummers competing in Friday's heats at Glasgow Green
This year the chieftain of the championships is Glasgow's Swedish-born lord provost, Eva Bolander, who first visited the city as a piper in a band.
She said: "The musical ability on display at Glasgow Green this weekend, coupled with the friendly rivalry, brings an atmosphere and experience that simply can't be matched."
The championships are organised on behalf of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association by the City of Glasgow.
The current world champions are Inveraray and District Pipe Band.
The championships run alongside Piping Live! - a week-long celebration of bagpipes and traditional music, taking place between 13 and 19 August.