Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band has announced that their ‘pre-Worlds’ concert this year will be headlined by the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band from Canada.
The concert is on Wednesday, 12th August 2026 at the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow. 78th Pipe Major Michael Grey commented, ‘Making music for performance outside of competition is a huge part of what the 78th is about. The band thrives on it and building a big show like the kind needed for the pre-Worlds stage is a challenge that just fires us up in a big way.
‘It’s been a few years since I’ve been back in the 78th fold and in that time the tunes, the arrangements, have been percolating nicely. This time, we’ve opted to lean into Canada and so we’ll be celebrating some of the music of the ‘Great White North’, including the deep reservoir of tunes and culture that is Quebec.
‘It’s almost amazing to me that I will be part of another Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band-sponsored show after having had the good luck to play Skye’s first promotional venture, the 78th’s ‘Live in Scotland’ show in Motherwell, many years, and reeds, ago. People can expect a few surprises this time around!’
78th Drum Sergeant Drew Duthart said, ‘It will have been 23 years since I last played the Glasgow Concert Hall with the Frasers, which was a lot of fun, and now 23 years on, I get to do it all over again with some great musicians – and great drummers!’
Kurt Mackintosh, on behalf of the Glasgow Skye, added, ‘We are delighted to have the 78th perform at this year’s concert. They have been a huge part of the pre-World’s journey with us.
‘This will be the band’s fourth time headlining the event having taken part in the very first back in 1994 with the famous ‘Live in Scotland’ show. They headlined again in 1999 with their ‘Flame of Wrath’ concert and had their last appearance in 2003 with their ‘Seanchaidh’ concert, so they are long overdue a return.
The 78th at the Worlds in 2024:
‘Having spoken to Mike numerous times over the past six months or so, I know how excited the band is to perform on the big stage once again and I’m sure we are in for another fantastic evening at the Royal Concert Hall.’
Tickets are available directly from the RCH box office in person, via telephone (0141 353 8000), or online at www.glasgowlife.org.uk/tickets. For updates on the show and all the latest band news, go to www.the78th.online
Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band has been promoting the World’s Week concert since 1994.
‘Highland Bagpipe Music’ by Donald Morrison – digital book
This book was first produced shortly before Donald died in 1988. Languishing out of print, it surfaced in 2021 following contact between Piping Press editor Robert Wallace and Donald’s daughter Sheona. Sheona agreed that it should be offered to the piping public once more at nominal cost, the aim being to preserve her father’s musical legacy. Donald Morrison was the complete piper a fine teacher, composer and soloist. He won the Gold Medal, the Bratach Gorm and many other top…