Patron HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, KG, KT, GCB.
Founders:
- Sir Brian Ivory, CBE, FRSE
- Lady Ivory, DL
- Sandy Grant Gordon, CBE
The Great Highland Bagpipe, perhaps the best known of Scotland’s musical instruments and an ambassador for Scotland throughout the world, is accorded new prominence by the founding of The National Piping Centre. We serve as a national and international centre of excellence for the instrument and its music.
Close to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, we incorporate a school with rehearsal rooms and an Auditorium, not only for the Highland pipes but also Scottish Smallpipes, Uillean Pipes, Fiddle, Accordian and Drumming. There is also a museum and interpretation centre, and a reference library, as well as conference facilities and a hotel.
The National Piping Centre provides facilities of the very highest quality for both the piping and non-piping fraternity. Visitors and regulars, from both home and abroad, will equally enjoy the experience, whether they come for study, performance, or simply pleasure.
Discover more about the history of the building.
Directions
The National Piping Centre is located at the Northern end of Hope St.
If heading west on the M8, exit the motorway at exit 16 and take an immediate left onto Canal St. Continue direct onto Milton st. until the street dead ends. Turn left onto Maitland St. and the National Piping Centre is on the left. If heading east on the M8, exit the motorway at exit 19 onto Bothwell St. Turn Left onto Hope St. until it dead ends at the top of the hill. Turn right onto Cowcaddens and take the next left onto Port Dundas Rd. Take your second left onto Milton St. until Milton St. dead ends. Turn left onto Maitland St. and turn left again onto Mcphater St. The National Piping Centre is on the left.
If travelling by subway, disembark at the Cowcaddens station. Exit the station and turn right. Follow the pavement for about 150 m until you see the National Piping Centre on the left.
If travelling by train to Glasgow Central Station, exit the station onto Hope St., turn right and walk north until Hope St. terminates in front of the National Piping Centre. If you are arriving at Queen St. Station, exit onto Bath St. and walk under Buchanan Galleries. Turn right onto Buchanan St. and follow the pedestrianized zone until you come to Hope St. Turn right onto Hope St. and walk to the top of the hill, where you will see the National Piping Centre directly in front of you.
Information for fares and travel times to Glasgow can be found at the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s website:
Parking
There are two car parks within a five minutes walk to the National Piping Centre. The Cambridge Street Car Park is located on the corner of Cambridge St. and Cowcaddens Rd. A second car park is located directly adjacent to the National Piping Centre on Dunblane St.
Hours of Operation
- Shop
Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm, Saturday from 9am to 1 pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm (May - Sept. only). - Museum
Open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm, Saturday from 9am to 1pm and on Sunday from 10am to 4pm (May - Sept. only). - Piping Tuition
Available Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm and on Saturday mornings from 9am to 1pm. - Piper’s Tryst Restaurant
Open Monday to Thursday from 8am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 8am to 10pm and open seasonally on Sunday.
The National Piping Centre and Glasgow University have created a unique opportunity for international students who wish to come to Glasgow University 
With excellent locations and facilities students are sure to enjoy the opportunity to learn from some of the World's leading exponents in piping and drumming.
The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) and The National Piping Centre (NPC) offer a specialist degree that allows pipers to study piping within the context of Scottish traditional music to the highest level. 
The National Piping Centre has a reputation for excellence and it is no different when it comes to traditional Scottish food. There is always a selection of the finest Scottish produce on offer...
We supply expert pipers in full highland dress for every occasion. Our pipers have abundant experience in piping at all types of engagements and are guaranteed to add a special Scottish touch to your event.
