As the Pipe Major of a local competitive pipe band, who secured second place at the 2023 European Championships held in Duthie Park, I have witnessed first-hand how our city thrived when we hosted this prestigious event. Not only did it bring together communities and celebrate our rich cultural heritage, but it also provided significant economic benefits. The council made a profit from hosting the championships in 2023, demonstrating its potential as a recurring revenue stream for our city.

The decision by Aberdeen City Council to not host future championships is therefore both disappointing and perplexing. The council’s position has been that it would rather focus on The Tall Ships Race in 2025, however, surely it would make financial sense to host more than one great event to generate even more funds to our city and provide another source of great entertainment.
By choosing not to bid for the European Pipe Band Championships in 2024 (and beyond) overlooks the positive impact such events have on local businesses and tourism - sectors that are crucial for Aberdeen's economy. Furthermore, it disregards the pride and joy these championships bring to us residents.

We believe that continuing to host this event would be beneficial not only for us as participants but also for Aberdeen as a whole. It would generate more income over time while promoting our city on an international platform.

Therefore, we urge Aberdeen City Council to reconsider their position on hosting future editions of the European Pipe Band Championships starting from 2024 onwards. Let's keep celebrating our culture while boosting our economy! Please sign this petition if you agree with us.