The National Piping Centre Adult Seasonal Piping Gatherings
The adult schools have been designed to give a fantastic social learning experience. As well as themed workshops, practice time and small group lessons there will social events planned for you to relax, enjoy the music and discuss your playing with other players, meaning you can improve your playing through this shared learning experience.
Dates for 2019 are:
Adult Gathering Spring School: 15th - 18th April 2019 - COURSE IS NOW FULL
Adult Gathering Summer School: 22nd - 25th July 2019
Adult Gathering Autumn School: 28th - 31st October 2019
So book now to confirm your place!
With these courses tailored specifically to adults, the aim is to provide an environment where you can receive tuition from some of the world’s best pipers, learn about the greats of piping, and all within a shared learning experience.
The schools will run daily from 9am – 4.50pm and costs £160 per place for 4 days tuition.
These schools could be run at either our City Centre - McPhater Street venue or our West End - Otago Street venue. You will be informed before te course begins where it will be held.
There will be a music pack provided for each school.
Hearing Protection
The National Piping Centre requires all students to use hearing protection at all times when playing pipes. Hearing protection is available for purchase in our shop or free of charge from the earplug dispenser in both our piping school venues.
Find out more
Here is a sample timetable for our Adult Gathering, to give you a flavour of the four days.
PDQB Exams
Students who wish to register for Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board examinations have the option to book this when registering for the Adult Gathering. There are special exam rates for our school, if you book to take the exam whilst on your course. For more information about the PDQB exams, you can find out more here
Accommodation
Did you know we have an 8-bedroom hotel on site? If you would like to book accommodation whilst here for your course, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to The Pipers' Tryst Hotel page.
NPC Seasonal Gathering Beginners
If you have always wanted to learn the pipes, then begin your journey with us. This 1.5 day course is designed specifically for adults, whose experience playing is limited to playing the scale or less.
Taking place during The National Piping Centre Seasonal Gatherings, this course starts at 12 noon on Friday and Saturday, and 9am on Sunday morning. You will receive 2 lessons per day, as well as join in with the recital or workshop, giving you the chance to meet other pipers on the course.
This is an example of the format for the timetable and you can see BEG marked.
At The National Piping Centre, we teach from our Highland Tutor Book I, which is available to purchase through our registration form here, and you will save £5 on RRP. If you need to purchase a chanter, there is also an option to purchase our starter pack, which contains the Tutor Book and a Chanter, which also has £5 off RRP.
This school costs £80 for the half week option.
