The World Pipe Band Championships is set to start in Glasgow on Friday for the 30th year running.

This year, the tournament welcomes hundreds of bands to the event to compete at Glasgow Green on Friday and Saturday.

A total of 234 bands from all over the world are making the journey in the hope of securing the ultimate prize in the Pipe Band competition.

Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band are the defending World Champions after they became the first Scottish band to win the coveted title in more than a decade.

The World Pipe Band Championships were first held in Glasgow almost 70 years ago. Competitors will come from as far afield as Canada, USA, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Zimbabwe as well as from across Europe, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Scotland.

Ian Embelton, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: "Glasgow has been home to the World Pipe Band Championships for the last 30 years and you can see from the strength of the entry that the appetite from bands to come and play at Glasgow Green remains as strong as ever.

"We are looking forward to a very strong day of competition from some truly gifted, dedicated and outstanding musicians. If you have never been to Glasgow Green during The worlds, you have never truly appreciated the sights and sounds of this uniquely Scottish occasion."

The lord provost of Glasgow, Sadie Docherty, said: "It is an enormous privilege to be asked to be chieftain of this truly incredible event. Glasgow is proud to have such a long association with the World Pipe Band Championships and with bands who are constantly striving to improve in the pursuit of the title of world champions."