In light of the ongoing global health risk posed by COVID-19, we’ve taken the difficult decision to close The National Piping Centre for the time being, writes Helen Urquhart.
Of course, this is incredibly disappointing news for us to share with you, but the well-being of our students, staff, customers and visitors will always be a top priority to us. Our position as a school, restaurant, shop and tourist destination means we have a responsibility to help reduce the further spread of this pandemic.
We have already moved to Skype teaching as much as we can, but from 5pm on Friday 20th March, both the National Piping Centre venues at McPhater Street and Otago Street will be closed to the public until further notice.
As mentioned, Skype lessons will be going ahead and we are looking at exciting new ways of bringing you lessons and more. In the meantime our teachers would encourage you to keep up the work on your practice chanters, listen to whatever great piping you can, look at new tunes and brush up on your favourites.
The Bagpipe Shop is still open online, with order fulfilment on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. The restaurant, hotel and public teaching areas will be completely closed, with The Bagpipe Shop closed to walk in customers. However we are creating great new menus for you to come back to and our great drinks selection is on ice, ready and waiting.
We are continuing with our online lessons, social media pages with ideas and teaching and wedding blogging. We’ll continue to follow the advice of the UK Government and relevant local and global health authorities and will keep you updated as to when we will re-open to staff and the public. We will continue to keep you updated and when we do reopen, we hope you will come and see us soon.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
- The Donald MacLeod Invitational contest postponed last week will now be held on November 27. Details as before. Nairn Games, due to be held on August 15, have been cancelled following a meeting of the committee last weekend. Nairn Games are the latest so far in the 2020 calendar to call off due to the pandemic.
