Piping at Forres which this year drummed up over £1 million for the local economy is in the running for a tourism award.
Now gearing up for its fifth year, Piping at Forres, has been shortlisted for the Best Cultural Event or Festival award in the 2016 Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards.
It is one of four events to make the shortlist; the final results will be announced at the award ceremony being held at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on November 4.
Joanna Taylor, one of the directors of Forres Events Ltd, the company that organises the event, said: “We are delighted that Piping at Forres, The European Pipe Band Championships has made it to the finals for a third year in a row. Being recognised as one of the top four of all the events held throughout the whole region is wonderful. Piping at Forres is a fantastic day out and since it began in 2013 has showcased hundreds of pipe bands from around the world as well as featuring local food, drink and crafts. Being shortlisted is a testament to a lot of hard work by many, many people: the Forres at Piping team, the bands themselves who travel from as far away as Australia, and our wonderful volunteers, as well as being an encouragement to our visitors, both local and tourists.”

Piping at Forres 2017 will take place in Grant Park on June 24th. Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the title sponsor of the event, which is also supported by Event Scotland

Commenting on the award nomination, Ewen Mackintosh, Chief Operating Officer of Gordon & MacPhail, owners of Benromach Distillery said: “Piping at Forres is a fantastic event in the piping and Moray calendar and as title sponsor, we are thrilled to see the event recognised with this well-deserved nomination. We have sponsored the event since its first year and it has been incredibly rewarding to see the event grow – it has certainly put Forres on the map and continues to attract huge crowds to the region.”
This year’s Piping at Forres generated over £1m for the local area according to an independent economic report. The feedback study also gave the event 9 out of 10 for overall customer enjoyment and attracted more pipers than ever before.

Joanna added: “We are delighted that once again we are able to show the economic benefit of Piping at Forres to the local area. This event is now firmly part of the local event calendar, but it is clearly attractive to tourists as well, who are choosing to combine coming to Piping at Forres with visiting some of the many other attractions that Moray and the surrounding areas have to offer.”
Forres Events Ltd is a not-for profit organisation and relies on sponsorship and funding on top of the ticket sales to pay for the competition, marketing, security, infrastructure such as marquees, licenses and contractors. It also relies on a large number of volunteers in the communities of Forres and Moray who give their time and expertise to help make it a great day for all concerned.
The Championships were originally set to be run in Forres for three years but this was extended by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, who organise the piping competition, for another three years taking it to 2018.