More than 50,000 people are expected to flock to Glasgow over the next week as the city's International Piping Festival gets under way.

Piping Live! began with a performance from Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band at the Royal Concert Hall steps on Monday.

The week-long bagpipe extravaganza will see over 200 events and will be headlined by the Red Hot Chili Pipers.

George Square will act as the festival's hub, with daily performances taking place.

The World Pipe Band Championships will take place on Friday and Saturday , with 235 bands from as far as New Zealand battling for the title of World Champions at Glasgow Green.

Festival director Roddy MacLeod, said: "This year's festival is all about celebrating the pipes being at the heart of moments that matter in life and we're thrilled to welcome the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band to our most exciting moment of the year - the beginning of Piping Live!

"From marching onto the battlefield, to wedding ceremonies and funerals; bringing in the New Year, to celebrating Scottish heritage the world over - bagpipes are always at the heart of huge moments.

"This week, we welcome thousands of people from across the globe to Glasgow to enjoy world-class musical acts, Scotland's best food and drink and brilliant family events.

"There's something for everyone, so come along and make some lasting memories with us."

Murray Drylie, a piper in Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band, said: "We're so happy to be making our Piping Live! debut, but to be the first pipers to play a note is a true honour.

" We've always been fans of the festival and, each year, we're blown away by the array of talent who travel from across the world to Glasgow.

"It's such an amazing week and to finally be part of it is one of our most exciting moments as a band."