The sounds of pipes and drums from all over the country will ring through the town again this year as a major piping competition has been confirmed.
Andy Macdonald of YBD Music, organisers of the MacMoray Festival in Elgin, put in a last-minute bid for the British Pipe Band Championships, and has been notified that he was successful.
Forres hosted the European Pipe Band Championships between 2013 and 2018, which brought millions of pounds of economic benefit to the town over its six-year run.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA), which oversees both competitions, said they worked extremely hard to bring the British Championships back to the calendar after it was cancelled last year.
Chairman Kevin Reilly said: “We are honoured to be working with Andy Macdonald from YBD Music Ltd, who has made it possible to return to Forres. His enthusiasm, passion and drive promises to bring something special to the area.”
Andy said: “I’m overwhelmed to find out that I will be bringing such an amazing piping championship back to Forres.
“It’s quite nerve racking knowing that I only have four months to organise such a large scale event, however I’m confident in my team, associates and the council that we will manage it promptly and professionally.
“For the town it won’t only bring so much added footfall and money to the local businesses, but it will bring joy and excitement which I feel is some what equally as important in these times. It’s something we can all look forward to in four short months, and for many years to come.
“For now me and my team will begin working on branding, marketing and paperwork. This Event will be a grand project working together with my team, the Moray Council, police Scotland and the local community. We will come together and bring this great event back to Forres and keep it there.”
If anyone has any queries, or interest in volunteering, sponsorships or stalls, you can get in touch via www.YBDMusic.com
The event will be held in Grant Park on on 8 June, and more details will follow as we get them.