The Inverness Courier newspaper is reporting today that the local council has withdrawn sponsorship for the 2023 European Pipe Band Championships due to be held the city’s Bught Park next July.
The competition was seen as ‘no longer financially viable’ according to councillors.
The report reads: ‘It is with deep regret that we must announce the cancellation of Piping Inverness 2023, incorporating the European Pipe Band Championship.
‘Due to the fees associated in staging this event and the increasing costs of infrastructure it is unfortunately no longer financially viable to stage Piping Inverness in 2023.
‘We have tried to stabilise these costs since this year’s fantastic event 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 local businesses and the surrounding area.
‘We would like to thanks those pipers, drummers and all of our participants who have worked with us in delivering the event this year and in 2019.’
The one-day event usually attracted roughly 100 bands to the major championship. The contract with the RSPBA was for three championships starting in 2019. The pandemic has clearly undermined this arrangement.
A gap now exists in the 2023 calendar and we are awaiting comment from the RSPBA.
