FORMER RUNRIG LEAD and acclaimed solo singer Donnie Munro is to be the Chieftain at the European Pipe Band Championships in Forres this summer.
The Benromach-sponsored Piping at Forres has confirmed the high profile appointment – and revealed that Munro will also perform at a charity dinner being hosted by the Forres Rotary Club in Grant Park on Friday, June 24 in aid of Archie’s Foundation and Maggie’s Highland.
Speaking of his appointment as Chieftain, Donnie Munro said: “’I am deeply honoured to have been invited to act as Chieftain for this highly prestigious international event.
“Pipe Band Music has undergone enormous changes over the years and the professionalism, the quality of musicianship and complexity of performance, is now quite outstanding. I am sure this will be a fantastic day out for everyone.”
Alan James Chairman of Forres Events Ltd, added: “Donnie is a well-known and much loved figure on the Scottish music scene and we are delighted to have him as Chieftain 2016.
“This is such a wonderful event and a great day out for all the family with so much to do across the park for all ages and interests not least the quality of the bands. I urge people to buy tickets early to avoid queuing on the day and look forward to seeing you on the June 25.”
Applications for bands taking part in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) organised Championships have been open since the middle of last month – with high hopes that the number of entrants will top 100. Entries have already been received from the Netherlands, Denmark and even as far as Brisbane, Australia.
The family friendly Piping at Forres has been a phenomenal success since it was first brought to the town by Forres Events Ltd in 2013. It is the largest single ticketed day event in Moray and in 2015 brought in an estimated £1.3 million of incremental benefit to the area to the local area, an equivalent to an additional 5,500 working days or 25 full-time equivalent jobs in the area.
While the competition is the responsibility of the RSPBA the practical arrangements for the event in Forres are the responsibility of Forres Events. Tickets for Piping at Forres are available now from Beaver Travel in Forres and Elgin as well as Brodie Countryfare.
Other locations are The Bookshop, Logie Steading, Brambles Boutique, Nairn and Ewe & Me, Aberlour and Grantown-on-Spey.
Full details and tickets can also be found online at www.pipingatforres.com. Tickets are in the form of wristbands allowing the ticket holder to exit and enter the park throughout the day.
Piping at Forres is also keen to hear from any businesses interested in sponsoring the event. There are several levels of sponsorship and any business, large or small, wishing to sponsor Piping at Forres should contact Sponsorship Director Eddie Tomkinson.