In Glasgow today, the Army launched The Piper’s Trail, a unique musical journey which will visit communities the length and breadth of Scotland this summer. The Pipers’ Trail is a celebration of the Army’s links with Scotland though music, culture and tradition and will consist of a number of musical events and workshops.

The Pipers’ Trail aims to cement and take forward the Army’s place in Scottish society while highlighting its values and standards and reinforcing its importance to local communities across the country.

The Trail will set off from Shetland on 17 June and will form a major part of the centenary celebrations for the Territorial Army (TA 100) as it travels through Scotland over the course of six weeks in June and July. Pipers and drummers will make a journey of more than 470 miles with each mile piped by an individual soldier until it reaches the end of the route in Edinburgh.

People of all ages and abilities will be invited to join in and enjoy the various performances and events at each location along the way.

Brigadier David Allfrey, Commander of 51 (Scottish) Brigade, launched the Pipers’ Trail outside the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) Headquarters in Glasgow, while a cavalcade of pipers and drummers provided a taste of the upcoming musical performances.

Speaking at the launch, Brigadier Alfrey said: “This is the first time the Army has staged anything on this scale in Scotland. It provides local battalions with a unique opportunity to meet and interact with communities in a fun and expressive way.

“The Army in Scotland has a long and established relationship with pipe and drum music and, through various events this summer, we will encourage more people to play, learn, listen to and enjoy traditional piping music. At key locations along the route there will be a series of piping and drumming Summer Workshops, conducted over four days, with a professionally staged performance at the end of every week.

“The intention of The Pipers’ Trail is to provide, through the medium of bagpipe music and highland drumming, an insight into Scottish culture. With Scottish soldiers serving all around the world, The Trail will help connect them with their local communities through a shared passion for music.

“We invite people of all ages to come and enjoy the celebrations in their local area and hope to inspire and excite Scots everywhere.”

The Trail will visit towns and cities across Scotland including: Lerwick 17-18 June , Kirkwall 19-20 June, Wick 21 June, Inverness 23–28 June, Aberdeen 23-29 June, Dundee 30 June-6 July, Perth 7-10 July, Stirling 7-13 July, Ayr 14-17 July, Glasgow 14-20 July and Edinburgh 21-27 July.

Kevin Reilly, Chairman of the RSPBA, explained that the organisation will work with the Army to arrange a number of workshops, which will take place at the main stops of the route. He said: “The Pipers’ Trail shares our vision of encouraging piping and drumming and I believe the Army in Scotland will contribute significantly to our joint endeavours over the coming summer.

“We want everyone to have a good time and mix with other musicians but also we seek to raise the standards of playing. Our values are very similar to those held by the Army and we are delighted to adopt this shared approach in the pursuit of musical excellence.”

The Pipers’ Trail will culminate in Edinburgh the week before the Military Tattoo and is expected to become a key milestone in the Scottish cultural and military calendar.

Media Contact: 
The Pipers’ Trail Press Office on 0131 272 2750 or pressoffice@thepiperstrail.com

Notes to Editors:
The Pipers’ Trail will include five key components:

1. The Journey: The 472 mile route will be travelled mile-by-mile by pipers and drummers each having bid for particular sections of the journey. At each chosen centre of population, (Lerwick, Kirkwall, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Stirling, Glasgow, Ayr and Edinburgh) The Army will hold:
2. An RSPBA Summer Workshop
3. A Show (of varying scales depending on the location)
4. A civic event
5. A church service

Main Events:
Shetland – 17 June
Orkney – 19 June
Wick – 21 June
Inverness – 28 June
Aberdeen – 28 June
Dundee – 5 July
Perth – 10 July
Stirling – 12 July
Ayr – 17 July
Glasgow – 19 July
Edinburgh – 26 July