Scotland’s piping and drumming ecology

This report, based on research undertaken for the National Piping Centre in 2023, provides anyone interested in the vitality of the piping and drumming scene with an overview of who does what, where and with whom. The report is an update of an earlier 2017 version and aims to capture – where data allows – the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on activities and participants.

Approximately 13% of the annual grant-making through our Scottish Culture and Heritage strand currently goes to support piping tuition and events – maintaining a legacy of support for piping by William Grant & Sons that now extends for more than half a century.

The National Piping Centre are key partners for us – both as event organisers of the Glenfiddich Piping Championships and Piping Live! Festival, and as a centre of excellence for all things piping.

The report explores piping and drumming organisations and societies, education and qualifications, performance opportunities, and funding and income. Its 29 pages highlight the breadth and diversity of piping and drumming in Scotland and beyond.

Whilst not making recommendations for action, the report aims to provide as much objective information as is reasonably available to facilitate informed decision making by funders and others and will be of interest to anyone looking to learn more about the many organisations, networks and communities that make up the piping world.

Click the image above to read or download the report.

Read more about the work of the National Piping Centre, including other research projects.

Read more about our interest in Scottish Culture and Heritage.