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‘Huge loss to local business’: Piping Inverness 2023 cancelled due to increased costs

Piping Inverness attracted crowds fo Bught Park. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson
Piping Inverness attracted crowds fo Bught Park. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

The premier Piping Inverness competition has been cancelled next year as organisers say it is “no longer financially viable” to host the event.

Following a “fantastic” event this year, things were looking up for the piping competition after Covid cancellations.

However, organisers posted online today that next year’s event will no longer be going ahead.

Citing staging fees and increased infrastructure costs, they said it was no longer “viable” to stage Piping Inverness in 2023.

‘A huge loss to local business’

Originally scheduled to be held at Bught Park in Inverness next year, the event incorporates the European Pipe Band Championships.

Previously hosted in Forres, Inverness first held the competition in 2019 and hosted crowds of around 17,500 people to Bught Park.

Attracting bands and visitors from all across Scotland and sometimes the globe, the event is well-celebrated and helps to boost local economy.

Over 4,000 musicians competed in this year’s event. Image: Sandy McCook/ DC Thomson

Many have said it celebrates an important piece of Scotland’s culture and helps to inspire younger generations.

Organisers stated their “deep regret” at cancelling. Posting online, they said: “We have endeavoured to try and stabilise and reduce these costs since this year’s fantastic event concluded, however, we have been unable to do this to a level that would enable us to move forward.

“We appreciate how this will also be a huge loss to the local businesses of Inverness and the surrounding area.

Posted by Piping Inverness on Friday, 11 November 2022

“We would like to thank the pipers, drummers, majors and all of our partners, traders and contractors who have worked with us in delivering the event this year and in 2019.

“However, the biggest thanks must go to all of the event’s attendees who joined us from Inverness, the Highlands and around the world, allowing Piping Inverness to have been such a great success.”

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