Latest news with #WorldPipeBandChampionships
The Courier
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Why a Stirling bagpipes shop attracts customers from all over the world
Tucked beneath the shadow of Stirling Castle, Alan Waldron lovingly creates and restores traditional bagpipes. Alan turned his passion for the pipes into a profession, opening Stirling Bagpipes in 2009. The shop's antique décor, global clientele, and commitment to time-honoured techniques is a living museum of Scotland's piping tradition. Originally from Edinburgh, Alan studied aquaculture and worked for a time as a trout farmer before following his passion of woodturning. A self-described 'late starter' on the pipes, he first began playing seriously while living in Gibraltar. The connection between woodworking and piping eventually led him to bagpipe making. Alan explained: 'In 1999, I began working under Nigel Richards of Garvie Bagpipes, who was a well-respected maker of small and border pipes. 'Nigel was incredibly knowledgeable. His understanding of pipe making and musical theory was immense. 'When he retired, I decided to open my own place and keep the tradition going.' In 2009, drawn by cleaner air and a desire to raise his young daughter in a quieter place, he opened Stirling Bagpipes on Broad Street. A twist of fate sealed the deal, after spotting the shop for rent, his car battery died right outside. 'The car told me to take the shop,' Alan laughs. Stirling Bagpipes builds and sells a range of pipes, including Highland sets, small pipes, and border pipes. The shop's interior is deliberately traditional. Brass, glass, and cast-iron fittings create a warm, vintage atmosphere. It's part workshop, part storefront. In one room, towering machines bore wood and shape chanters. In another, shelves are lined with vintage instruments – some more than 250 years old. Restorations are a significant part of his work, making up between a third and half of his annual workload. 'I love when someone brings in a set that's been in an attic for 30 years,' Alan said. 'You never know if it's a gem or a wall-hanger.' Alan's customers span the globe. 'Currently, I'm working on pipes that will go to New York, Mexico City, Dublin, and the Shetland Islands. 'I'm one of the few makers who still turns wood by hand. I don't use copy lathes or mass production techniques. 'I don't want to be a factory. Each set should have soul.' He believes the future of bagpiping is bright. He said the resurgence of folk music and the influence of pipers like Gordon Duncan have made bagpipes 'cool' again among younger generations. Alan explains: 'Youngsters today see it as a cool thing to do, not just a school obligation. They see it as an opportunity. 'Some of them busk and make more than their parents. 'There are events like the World Pipe Band Championships, which now run over two days and attract more than 45,000 visitors to Glasgow Green. 'It's a clear sign that bagpiping is still popular in today's culture.'
STV News
25-04-2025
- STV News
Soldier caught messaging decoy posing as girl while competing in pipe band championships
An Omani soldier was caught by a paedophile 'vigilante' group while he competed in the World Pipe Band Championships. Hamdan Alkhamali, 47, believed he was chatting online to a 12-year-old girl between July and August 2024. Instead, he was chatting to an adult from a vigilante group posing as a child 'decoy'. Alkhamali claimed that he would have sex with her and that he knew what he was doing was against the law. Alkhamali – who represented the Omani army band – was snared by the vigilante group in Glasgow Green where the championships were being held. The incident resulted in negotiations to bring the first offender back to Scotland from Oman to face justice. Alkhamali pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to sending written communication to a person he believed to be a child. He was fined £1,275 by Sheriff Matthew Jackson KC, who also put him on the sex offenders register. The sheriff said: 'If you were a British national I would have called for a background report to find out why you committed this crime. 'I'm satisfied in these unusual circumstances that your government and military will work to ensure that you will undergo the same sort of counselling and education that you would have in this country. 'Do not think that you are getting away with this just because you are a foreign national. 'I expect your government will give a very full undertaking to see that you get the counselling that you require.' The court earlier heard that Alkhamali first contacted the decoy on social media chatting application SayHi on July 29. Alkhamali was told by the decoy that she was 12 years old and he replied: 'Age doesn't matter, it's just a number.' The conversation continued on WhatsApp, where Alkhamali turned the chat sexual. Alkhamali also spoke about meeting the girl and showering together in the bathroom. He made references to keeping their conversations 'private.' Prosecutor Jenny Reid said: 'He told her that he was scared about breaking the law. 'He told her that in this country, the law prohibits him from being with a minor or young girl.' The vigilante group decided to confront Alkhamali at Glasgow Green on August 17. Ms Reid added: 'This was due to information from Alkhamali that he would be there to take part in the Pipe Band Championships.' Alkhamali told the vigilante group that he was speaking to her and he was later arrested by police. John Scullion KC, defending, told the court that a representative of the Omani military was present in court. The advocate said: 'Alkhamali was in the UK competing in the championships for the Omani armed forces. 'He was allowed to return to Oman and undertakings were taken by the government of Oman that he would return to the UK for court proceedings, which he has cooperated with. 'He has brought shame and embarrassment and he is aware that he let his family down as well as the military for which he expresses remorse. 'The Omani military and government are aware of the charges and they have committed to explore the issues arising from this case.' The hearing was also told that the sheriff had received papers from the Ministry of Defence as well as the Sultan of Oman before the case called in court. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
25-04-2025
- BBC News
Pipe band soldier from Oman fined after online vigilante sting
A soldier from Oman was caught in a paedophile sting while he competed in the World Pipe Band Alkhamali believed he was talking to a 12-year-old girl online between July and August 2024, but he was actually messaging an adult from a vigilante 47, made several sexual comments to the decoy and admitted he knew what he was saying was was fined £1,275 and placed on the sex offenders register at Glasgow Sheriff Court after admitting to sending written communication to a person he believed to be a child. Alkhamali was confronted by the group at Glasgow Green on 17 August last year while he was competing alongside fellow personnel from the Omani armed initially contacted the decoy on social media messaging app SayHi on 29 spoke about meeting the girl and made several sexual references before asking her to keep their conversations "private".He also told the girl he did not care about her age, though later said he was scared about breaking the had told the decoy that he would be in Glasgow to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships, from 16-17 admitted to the vigilante group that he had talked to the decoy and was later arrested by police. 'Unusual circumstances' Alkhamali was allowed to return to Oman, but was brought back to Scotland to face justice.A representative from the Omani military was in court to hear the court heard Sheriff Matthew Jackson KC had received papers from the Ministry of Defence and the Sultan of Oman before the case told Alkhamali the circumstances of the case were "unusual," but he expected authorities in Oman would ensure he "went under the same sort of counselling and education that you would have in this country".Sheriff Jackson said: "Do not think that you are getting away with this just because you are a foreign national."I expect your government will give a very full undertaking to see that you get the counselling that you require."
Glasgow Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Life announces 2025 Summer of Events programme
The programme will offer a dynamic mix of free and low-cost cultural events and family-friendly entertainment across some of Glasgow's most iconic venues and public spaces. The summer festivities will kick off with the Glasgow Mela on Sunday, June 22, in Kelvingrove Park. READ MORE: Ally McCoist dubbed 'Scotland's James Bond' after Easter posts The city's signature multicultural festival, the Mela, will showcase an eclectic mix of music, dance, and arts, featuring performers from Glasgow, across Scotland, and around the world. Acts already confirmed include Gtown Desi, Saloni, and Maya Lakhani. Alongside the main stage performances, visitors can sample a range of international cuisine and take part in sporting activities such as kabaddi, volleyball, tennis, and pickleball. Kelvingrove Bandstand will host panel discussions and workshops exploring themes like health and wellbeing through the arts, music and memory, and the role of South Asian artists in experimental practices. (Image: Kris Kesiak) A special collaboration with Glasgow Life Museums' Intercultural Youth Group will also be featured during the event. Following the Mela, the spotlight will shift to the Merchant City Festival, which returns from Friday, July 18, to Sunday, July 20. Transforming the heart of the city into a hub of live music, performance, circus, and dance, this year's theme, Fair: Play, celebrates Glasgow's traditional Fair Fortnight. The festival will include programming from Scotland's children's theatre agency Imaginate, outdoor arts collective Surge Festival, and Bridgeman Arts. Newly commissioned street performances from Scotland, England, Ireland, and Wales will debut as part of the Four Nations bursary programme. In celebration of Glasgow's 850th anniversary as a Burgh, this year's festival will launch with a mass participation ceilidh, blending tradition and celebration in true Glaswegian style. READ MORE: Glaswegians warned of holiday chaos as mass protests planned at hotspot The summer will come to a rousing close with the World Pipe Band Championships, taking place at Glasgow Green on Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16. The event will see the best pipers and drummers from around the globe compete for the prestigious world title. Running alongside the championships will be Piping Live!, Scotland's largest piping festival, which will take place from August 11 to 17, featuring performances, competitions, and cultural events throughout the city. (Image: Alan Harvey - SNS Group) Billy Garrett, director of culture, tourism, and events at Glasgow Life, said the summer programme is a cornerstone of the city's cultural calendar. He said: 'There is a lot to get excited about in Glasgow this summer, with the Mela, Merchant City Festival and World Pipe Band Championships promising fantastic days out and a chance to make unforgettable memories with family and friends. "Our Summer of Events programme is central to the city's cultural events calendar and helps to improve people's mental, physical and economic wellbeing by offering something fun for everyone to enjoy.' READ MORE: Cult-favourite Glasgow sandwich spot to join city's new food hub The Glasgow Mela and Merchant City Festival were among seven successful applications by Glasgow Life for Creative Scotland's Multi-Year Funding for 2025 to 2028. On January 30, Creative Scotland confirmed that the Mela will receive £50,000 in 2025–26, with total funding of £169,100 across three years. This year's Merchant City Festival will benefit from £62,834 in funding, with a total award of £227,167 over the same period. Glasgow's 2025 Summer of Events is shaping up to be a season to remember. To keep up with the latest announcements and full event details, residents and visitors alike are encouraged to subscribe to the Glasgow Life newsletter.
