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National Piping Centre

Our Work

Our Work

Our mission to Enrich Lives Through Piping inspires all areas of our activity programme.

We constantly strive to broaden access, increase diversity and provide equitable opportunities into and within the piping community.

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What’s On

Stay up to date with our latest projects, initiatives, gigs and competitions.

Access tickets and information as well as dates for your diary.

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Support Our Work

Your donations make everything we do possible.

The support we receive from the community and the wider public is vital to ensuring our grass roots and outreach programmes can continue making a real impact.

Find out more and consider supporting our work using the link below.

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WHO WE ARE

  • We provide access to tuition and support for every level of piper in a safe, inspirational and inclusive environment.
  • We have been at the forefront of the growth and increased popularity of piping and the wider traditional music community, establishing further and higher education programmes with partners including The University of Glasgow, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and The University of the Highlands and Islands.
  • We continue to develop new programmes and engage with students, artists, audiences and participants locally and internationally, promoting relevant and current Scottish music and culture to a growing audience.

WE INSPIRE EXCELLENCE, CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

  • We contribute to the unique, creative and cultural landscape in Scotland, providing a high-quality venue and hub for traditional music.
  • We engage with a wider spectrum of traditional music and language groups and organisations to host concerts and workshops, expanding our cultural and creative reach including Celtic Connections, BBC,  Glasgow University Music Society, the NPC Veterans club and independent artists providing a unique venue with purpose built infrastructure and networking support.
  • We carry forward Scotland’s piping traditions, we inspire excellence, creativity and innovation for this and future generations, driving our vision of a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates, preserves and advances our rich cultural heritage of piping worldwide.

Our Values

  • Inclusion:
    creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of their background or abilities. We believe in fostering community and using piping to bring people together.
  • Safeguarding:
    providing a safe and respectful environment for everyone we interact with, particularly children and vulnerable adults.
  • Artistic Excellence:
    we value artistic excellence and are committed to driving, nurturing and supporting artistic excellence in Piping through developing individual’s practice and the art form itself.
  • Advocacy:
    contribute to national frameworks in the cultural and music spaces, ensuring piping is represented on an equal footing.
  • Diversity:
    supporting a diverse range of people and communities to engage with Piping. 
  • International:
    as an International leader in the art form we are committed to developing innovative and sustainable ways of strengthening international collaboration and promoting artistic excellence across piping traditions globally.
  • Equality:
    creating an equity of opportunity to create, participate and engage with Piping.
  • Sustainability:
    managing the impact of the climate emergency on our organisation and ensuring long-term business sustainability.
  • Fair Work:
    ensuring the Fair Work principles of respect, opportunity, effective voice, security; and fulfilment are reflected in our policies and processes. 
  • Creativity:
    we welcome innovation and experiment with new approaches, and empower individuals to find their unique voice, foster personal growth, and experience the joy and creativity that piping offers. 

Our Aims

Aim 1
Develop both the breadth and quality of our engagement to engage a diverse range of participants, creators and consumers across society, including: children & young people and priority groups in Scotland’s Places and Communities.
Aim 2
Strengthen local, national and international ‘community’ within Piping.
Aim 3
Increase our engagement, and Piping’s representation, in the wider Arts community, bringing together multi-disciplinary collaborations and communities in an accessible and inspiring environment, providing a platform for connection and inspiring novel creative expression.
Aim 4
Support life-long learning and the arts infrastructure by providing excellent learning experiences, training, jobs and performance opportunities in Piping.
Aim 5
Grow our international engagement with artists, audiences and participants, promoting Scottish culture and Piping throughout the world. And making cultural connections throughout the world to facilitate opportunities for Scotland’s Piping artists to travel and experience other music and cultures.
Aim 6
Integrate climate consciousness consistently across our activity delivery.
Aim 7
Reduce our carbon emissions in line with Scotland’s pathway to Net Zero.
Aim 8
Develop a more robust and understanding of our ongoing position and reach as an organisation.
Aim 9
Embedded better EDI mechanisms for dialogue, monitoring and access, alongside increased thoughtful awareness across our organisation.
Aim 10
Increase our reach to the priority groups in our action plan and increased access to our activity for each

Our gallery

We were delighted to have a trio of young musicians from our Community Piping Clubs perform at our inaugural Charity Dinner

THE BAGPIPE SHOP

For all your piping supplies, equipment and gifts.

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COME AND TRY THE BAGPIPES!

We offer fun bagpipe workshops for schools, tour groups or events.

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