Glasgow city centre was alive with music today as 150 pipers and drummers marched together through the streets as the Piping Live! Big Band.

Families, friends and mid-afternoon shoppers stopped to marvel as the talented group made their way in tight formation from Blythswood Square to George Square.

Glasgow Times:

The event marks the launch of this year’s Piping Live! Festival which will run until Sunday, August 16 with more than 30,000 Scottish music enthusiasts expected to attend at venues across Glasgow.

The annual Big Band launch aims to bring musicians of all ages and abilities together by inviting them to join in for a performance of well-known tunes.

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Glasgow Times: Pictured: Finlay MacDonald, Artistic Director and Director of the Piping Live! Festival Pictured: Finlay MacDonald, Artistic Director and Director of the Piping Live! Festival

Finlay MacDonald, artistic director for Piping Live!, said: “It’s always a proud moment to lead the Piping Live! Big Band through the streets of Glasgow.

“The collaboration of people of all ages, and the eagerness of those less experienced to get involved, is truly heartwarming to see and such a fitting start to the festival.

“The Big Band parade is always a highlight of the festival, and I’ve missed it greatly these last two years.

"As a player and a teacher, it’s fantastic to be back amongst the music and the rhythm.”

Glasgow Times: Pictured: Members of the Beinn Gorm Highlanders from Ontario,CanadaPictured: Members of the Beinn Gorm Highlanders from Ontario,Canada

Each year the Big Band chooses a charity to partner with their launch event in the hopes of raising vital funds.

This year’s march saw musicians don matching yellow t-shirts to show their support for the Beatson Cancer Charity with over £1000 raised to help ‘ensure that no one faces cancer alone'.

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Glasgow Times: Pictured: The Big Band ended their march at George SquarePictured: The Big Band ended their march at George Square

Charlene Low, corporate partnerships fundraiser at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We are so grateful for the fantastic support we’ve received from The National Piping Centre.

“It’s so lovely to get back to live events this year and watching a sea of yellow marching through the city centre is a really proud moment for us.”

Glasgow Times: Pictured: Callum-James Bulloch,11, from CrieffPictured: Callum-James Bulloch,11, from Crieff

Festivities this afternoon were rounded off with a stirring rendition of Scotland the Brave at George Square which saw budding chanter players and veteran pipers play side by side.

After taking part in the Big Band event, talented youngster Calum-James Bulloch, 11, from Crieff said: “It was really really cool to be marching down with hundreds of pipers and drummers and it was raising money for some good which is important.

“Loads of the piping community from all over the world are here so it’s really special."

For more information on the Piping Live! Festival click here.