The award-winning ScottishPower Pipe Band has been invited to perform at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh on Sunday 30 March.

The full 40-strong band will treat the expected crowd of around 15,000 in Holyrood Park to an array of traditional pipe and drum music before the race begins, and a lone piper will play as the races get underway. Up to 25m viewers from around the world are also expected to tune-in to television coverage of the event.

Runners from 70 countries will take part in this year’s IAAF World Cross Country Championships, and will do battle in four races – senior men and women, and junior men and women.

Chris Armstrong, Piper Major in the ScottishPower Pipe Band, said: “It was a huge honour to be invited to play at such a prestigious sporting event.  This is a massive global event, and it’s great to see all these top-class athletes coming to Scotland. We have performed in the USA, Canada, China and all across Europe, but it is always extra special to play in front of a Scottish audience – we’re really looking forward to it.”

Notes to Editors:

ScottishPower Pipe Band

• The band, who have been sponsored by ScottishPower since 1989, are one of the world's leading grade 1 pipe bands having featured as a regular prize-winner in all major competitions over several decades. Awards include: Cowal Champions (x2), Scottish Champions, All-Ireland Champions and runners-up in the World Championships.
• Great ambassadors for the company, they are in demand throughout the world, having performed in the US, Canada, Japan and China.
• The band have appeared before The Queen at Braemar, for the Pope at St Peter's in Rome, with Sir Paul McCartney at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, at the Lord Mayor's Show in London, at the Official Opening of the Scottish Parliament and at the 75th Royal Variety Performance. The band has appeared on TV networks throughout the world promoting their sponsorship with the company whilst dressed in the ScottishPower tartan which was commissioned especially for them.
• Recent performance highlights include appearances at the Celtic Connections Festival, the Glasgow River Festival, the Macmillan Cancer Support Carol Concert in London, the Scottish Fashion Awards at Stirling Castle and the Childline Scotland Hollywood Legends Ball.

Media Information: Paul Ferguson 0141 636 4557 / 07702665924