Photos © 2016 GnBri Photography
Piping at Forres which attracts visitors from all over the world has launched a “Find a Family” appeal to help kick off this year’s spectacular.
The European Pipe Band Championships, supported by title sponsor Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is looking for a family whose lives are immersed in the piping scene.
The successful family will be invited to the event’s launch party in April to play the pipes, and will also win a family pass to the June extravaganza along with one of the sought after Piping at Forres hampers.
Joanna Taylor, a director of Piping at Forres, explained why they had begun the quest to find a family of pipers: “Piping is clearly a huge part of Scotland’s heritage and more often than not it is also a passion that is passed down through the generations. This year, Piping at Forres is part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology celebrations and we wanted to embrace this theme and thought a fun way to do this would be to celebrate a family to who piping has been an important aspect of their lives.”
Joanna added: “It would be superb if we could get a family of pipers through the generations, but equally it may be that we find a family who are relatively new to piping, but everyone gets involved. It’s about celebrating something which has been a significant part of Scotland’s history and also being able to show that this fantastic instrument will continue to be relevant in the future.”
Visit Scotland’s regional director for Moray Speyside, Jo Robinson, said: “2017 is the year to delve into the past and discover Scotland’s fascinating stories and unique experiences as part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology celebrations.
“Scotland’s history and heritage is defined by its people, both past and present and is an integral and iconic part of our national identity. Whether as a competitor or spectator, Piping at Forres is an event not to be missed and the appeal to celebrate a family immersed in the piping scene adds another fantastic element to this year’s event.”
This year, Piping at Forres will be held on Saturday, June 24 in Grant Park, Forres.
The event not only includes world class piping, Highland dancing and the World Tattie Scone Championships but also has a food and drink village, a craft and retail village, bars and family attractions such as funfairs.
Visitors can even try their hand at the pipes and drum themselves.
More than 100 pipe bands from around the world compete in the European Pipe Band Championships, in front of a crowd of thousands, making it the biggest ticketed one-day event in Moray. It has been awarded over 9 out of 10 in feedback each year, and in 2016 was again shortlisted for Best Event in the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards.
To enter your family, email admin@pipingatforres.com with Find a Family in the subject line and tell us in 300 words why your family deserves to be Piping at Forres’ 2017 family.