BBC Scotland goes global again with live coverage of the World Pipe Band Championships

Live streaming of the World Pipe Band Championships from BBC Scotland will be available across the world for the third year running.

Eileen Herlihy, Head of BBC Scotland's Entertainment and Events, said: "It's great being able to take our coverage of this fantastic event to an international audience. Over the last couple of years we've had superb feedback and have heard that fans watching around the world will host piping parties, sometimes in the middle of the night, to watch the championships unfold on-line. I hope they all enjoy our coverage once again.”

Ian Embelton, Chief Exec of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, added: “It is good news again that pipe band enthusiasts who are unable to be on Glasgow Green on Saturday, August 13, can enjoy the action as it happens and it also introduces ‘The Worlds’ to a new global audience.”

Scottish ex-patriates, piping enthusiasts in countries where there is a strong interest in traditional music such as the United States, Canada and Australia, and newcomers to the music, enjoyed all the excitement of the event's Grade One arena last summer.

Following the success of last year’s web offering, BBC Scotland, which has been host broadcaster of the event since 2006, will again provide live streamed coverage from the Grade One Arena at the event on August 13th.

The championships will attract 8,000 pipers and drummers from 12 countries and a crowd of 40,000 is expected to see them compete for the honours at Glasgow Green.

This year's programme on BBC One Scotland presented by Jackie Bird will transmit the following weekend on Sunday, August 21 (time tbc) with commentary from respected piper Bob Worrall who has also been an adjudicator at 'The Worlds'.

BBC Scotland's live web coverage can be accessed on bbc.co.uk/worlds which will also host video clips on demand, available worldwide, after the event.

The on-demand service will feature excerpts of performance from all the bands vying for the medals in the Grade One competition.