What’s On At The NPC…
Celebrate with us!
St Andrew’s Night Ball 2026
The Glenfiddich Solo Piping Championship
Tradition and Excellence
The Gathering
Join us for The Gathering in November!
Tradition and Excellence
The Glenfiddich Solo Piping Championship
31 October 2026 | Blair Castle
The Glenfiddich Piping Championship was established in 1974 to inspire the world’s finest individual pipers and to seek the best overall exponents of ceòl mòr (the great music) and ceòl beag (light music).
Each year, 10 competitors qualify to play at this prestigious event through placing in one of a series of qualifying events throughout the season.
The 53rd edition will take place on Saturday 31st October 2026 at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. Competitors will be announced in September once the qualifying events are finalised.
Come party with us!
St Andrew’s Night Ball 2026
28 November 2026 | The National Piping Centre, Glasgow
To celebrate the National Piping Centre’s place at the heart of Scottish tradition for 30 years and raise vital funds to continue our work, the National Piping Centre is delighted to host its third Charity Ball for St Andrew’s Night on Saturday 28th November, celebrating its 30th Anniversary year – and everyone is invited!
Get your tickets now to join us for an unforgettable evening of fine dining, live music, ceilidh dancing and great company, all in support of our mission to inspire, educate, and enrich lives through piping.
Book Your Place Now
The Gathering!
2–6 November 2026 | The National Piping Centre, Glasgow
Join us this autumn for a five-day celebration of music, mastery and connection designed for pipers who want to play, learn and grow.
NPC Gatherings are renowned for combining high-quality tuition with a warm, inclusive atmosphere. Alongside structured learning, we offer plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow pipers and enjoy the social side of the week, including:
- Whole-group workshops and focused breakout sessions
- Tune learning and repertoire development
- Technique and performance masterclasses
In addition to the regular Gathering program, this year, we are very excited to also offer pipers a structured pathway focused on amateur solo piping. This gives students greater choice over the topics they wish to explore, allowing them to select classes that are most relevant to their individual goals and interests.
And, of course, it’s not all hard work! The programme also includes opportunities to socialise, meet fellow pipers and enjoy some time together after the day’s classes.
The Gathering is open to intermediate-level players and above, and is ideal for:
- Solo pipers and band members
- Adult learners returning to piping or looking to progress
- Musicians seeking inspiration, confidence and fresh ideas
With expert guidance and a supportive environment, players are encouraged to challenge themselves while enjoying the process.
Join the festive fun!
Christmas at the National Piping Centre
Celebrate the season with an unforgettable line-up of festive events for the whole family at the National Piping Centre. Start the holiday magic with Breakfast with Santa, where everyone can enjoy a delicious morning spread, festive cheer, and a special visit from Santa himself. Keep the party going at Santa’s Christmas Disco, packed with high-energy music, fun party games, and another appearance from Santa to get the whole family singing and dancing.
When it’s time to welcome the New Year, bring the kids to the Wee Hogmanay Party for a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration featuring music, dancing, games, and great entertainment.
For adults looking to celebrate, join us for our Festive Ceilidhs running throughout the month (strictly over-18s only), where you can grab your friends, put on your dancing shoes, and enjoy an evening of lively music, laughter, and warm Scottish hospitality.
The world’s biggest week of piping
Piping Live! 2027
8-13 August 2027 | Glasgow, Scotland
Piping Live! will return in 2027 for an unforgettable week of music, culture and community. Recognised as the world’s largest piping festival, Piping Live! brings together performers and audiences from across the globe to celebrate tradition, innovation and the power of live music.
At the heart of Piping Live! is the Festival Ground at the National Piping Centre, a vibrant hub of sound, energy and discovery. Throughout the week, audiences can enjoy a packed programme across two outdoor stages:
Main Stage
Showcasing headline acts, international artists, major ensembles and standout performances from across the piping world.
Bothy Stage
A more intimate space celebrating sessions, emerging talent, collaborations and the social spirit of piping — informal, welcoming and full of surprises.
With performances running throughout the day, the Festival Ground is the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere, discover new music and reconnect with friends old and new.
The festival features a diverse programme designed to appeal to musicians, enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike, including:
- Masters Solo Piping Competition — a prestigious showcase of world-class piobaireachd and light music
- Headline evening concerts — featuring leading pipers, bands and cross-genre collaborations
- International piping traditions — celebrating global styles and instruments
- Emerging talent showcases — highlighting the next generation of pipers
- Workshops, talks and special events — offering deeper insight into piping, music and culture
Book early and be part of it..
