What’s On At The NPC…
The Kalokerinos Tapes
Maggie MacInnes and her Band
The Glenfiddich Solo Piping Championship
Tradition and Excellence
The Gathering
Join us for The Gathering in November!
The Kalokerinos Tapes
Maggie MacInnes and her Band
17 September 2026 | The National Piping Centre, Glasgow
Award winning Gaelic singer and musician, Maggie MacInnes, will be performing contemporary arrangements of songs from a previously unreleased archive recorded by her mother, the great traditional singer from the island of Barra, Flora MacNeil MBE.
The archive of around 180 songs was recorded in the 1950s and 60s by an Australian folklorist, the late Dr James Kalokerinos, and includes many rare gems alongside some of the many traditional songs which Flora helped make popular today.
With the assistance of Creative Scotland, Maggie and her band have put together contemporary arrangements of some of these songs in a show which pays tribute to Flora and to other tradition bearers who passed on the songs to her as she was growing up.
The show was first performed at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival in January 2026 to great acclaim. Since then, Maggie has released an album of the songs from the show called “Uisegan Bharraigh” (Barra Skylarks) and recently toured in the highlands and islands of Scotland.
Accompanying Maggie will be some of Scotland’s finest musicians including Ailis Sutherland (Pipes, Whistle and flute); Wendy Weatherby(cello); Dan Brown(keyboards); Calum Park (Guitar, fiddle and backing vocals) and Alex Palmer (percussion)
Tradition and Excellence
The Glenfiddich Solo Piping Championship
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.
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..
