Press release -

Stirling is piping hot!

Scotland is set to welcome over a thousand pipers, drummers, Highland dancers, accordionists and clan members from across the world to take part in Pipefest Stirling - an international event celebrating Homecoming Scotland 2014 and marking the 700th Anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn. 

Pipefest Stirling takes place on 27 June 2014 and is supported by Homecoming Scotland, The Famous Grouse Experience and Stirling Council.  The parade will begin marching from the gates of Stirling Castle and proceed through the City of Stirling.

Over 1,100 participants have registered already with representatives from Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden and USA taking part.

A wide range of bands and individuals are taking part this year: 

  • The march will be led by Europe’s only private army, the 175-year-old regiment, Atholl Highlanders Pipe Band and Colour Guard. 
  • Visiting Scotland for the first time will be the popular Columbus Police And Fire Pipes And Drums, which is made up entirely of active, full-time Columbus police officers and firefighters. 
  • Pipefest is pleased to welcome the Forth Valley Accordion Band for the first time, which will add musical variety to the parade.

Over twenty Scottish Clans have registered to take part in the march including the Clan Currie Society from the USA. Robert Currie, President of the Clan Currie Society in New York, commented: “We are looking forward immensely to 2014 and the events taking place, kicking-off with the Pipefest parade through Stirling, BannockburnLIVE and the 2014 MacMhuirich Academic Symposium taking place in Glasgow.”

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Next year’s Homecoming Scotland 2014 is the opportunity for us to show off everything that’s great about our country. Pipefest Scotland is an exciting addition to the packed programme of events and we invite participants and visitors from around the globe to take part in the parade.

“Commemorating the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn comes on top of the momentum that’s been building through next year’s Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games with these key events expected to bring 70,000 visitors to Scotland and generate £44m in additional tourism revenue.”

Stirling’s Provost Mike Robbins said: “We are delighted that Stirling is playing host to this international event and we look forward to welcoming visitors from home and afar to what promises to be a lively, musical and multicultural day.  The sight of thousands of pipers and other musicians marching through the city will be an amazing sight and a perfect way to mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.”

The Famous Grouse Experience – “Based at the oldest distillery in Scotland, The Famous Grouse Experience has a rich history and has been supporting local events for many years. We are delighted to be supporting Pipefest Stirling and look forward to welcome visitors to Scotland as part of Homecoming 2014.”

Groups or individuals interested in taking part in Pipefest Stirling should register at – http://www.pipefest.com/

For further information, please contact:

Stirling Council Communications

E: media@stirling.gov.uk  T: 01786 233036

Homecoming Scotland 2014

E: chelsea.charles@eventscotland.org  T:0131 472 2067

Pipefest

E: magnus@pipefest.com M:0774 991 7731

About Homecoming Scotland

Scotland will welcome the world in the Year of Homecoming 2014 - providing a year-long programme of events alongside the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games.  The Year of Homecoming Scotland will run from 31 December 2013 to 31 December 2014 throughout the length and breadth of the country. Visitors from around the world are invited to join in a celebration of the nation’s food and drink, active pursuits, cultural heritage, nature and ancestral heritage. Homecoming Scotland 2014 is a Scottish Government initiative being led by EventScotland and VisitScotland, supported by numerous partners.  To find out more visit http://www.homecomingscotland.com/

Topics

  • Events

Categories

  • corporate communications
  • homecoming 2014

Regions

  • Scotland

Notes to Editors:

  • Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
  • VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland. 
  • The organisation has three key roles:
  1. To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
  2. To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
  3. To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
  • VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
  • The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
  • 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com 
  • The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face-to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy. 
  • According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
  • For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/ 
  • Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
  • For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
  • For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
  • For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx

Contacts

Chelsea Charles

Press contact Scotland’s Themed Years Communications & Engagement Manager Contact for media enquiries on: Scotland’s Themed Years (i.e. 2018 Year of Young People; 2020 Year of Scotland's Coast and Waters; 2022 Year of Scotland's Stories) 0131 472 2067

Carrie MacWilliam

Press contact Senior Corporate Press Officer - National Contact for media enquiries on: Travel media (Scotland); Year of Young People; UK Marketing; Dundee; Fife; Angus; Perthshire 0131 472 2052

Amelia Whittaker

Press contact Senior Corporate Press Officer - Regional Contact for media enquiries on: South Region; Edinburgh and Lothians; Food and Drink; Scottish Thistle Awards 01750 723806