Inverness and the Highlands will see a multi-million pound boost by becoming the new home of the European Pipe Band Championships for the next three years.
The announcement came at the end of the 2018 event in Forres.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamer of Commerce, said: “This is brilliant news and will boost the economy of Inverness by millions of pounds.”
More than one hundred piping teams attended this year’s event in Moray and, with family and friends, they themselves wil bring thousands of people to the north.
Mr Nicol said: “This will be a huge draw for tourists to Inverness, as well as those in the piping world enthusiastic about watching the championships.
“I am absolutely ecstatic about this news.”
Next June hundreds of pipers and drummers and highland dancers will descend on Inverness.
The championships are expected to bring significant economic benefit to Highland capital and the surrounding area.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) chief executive, Ian Embelton, said: “The RSPBA was extremely impressed with Piping Inverness’ bid to host the European Pipe Band Championships over the next three years.
“It put forward an impressive case for the Championships to remain in the north of Scotland, this time in Inverness.
“We’re looking forward to working with Piping Inverness to evolve the Championships over the next three years and welcome the very best pipers and drummers from around the world to Inverness.”
Les Kidger, director of LCC Live, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing the European Pipe Band Championships to Inverness.
“Not only will the event bring significant economic benefit to the city, but it will showcase Inverness and the surrounding area to visitors from around the world for one of the most illustrious events in the Scottish calendar.”
City Provost Helen Carmichael, said: “This is fantastic news for the Highlands that the European Pipe Band Championships will be hosted in Inverness for the next three years.
“As one of the premiere competitions on the annual pipe band circuit it will be a privilege to welcome The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, competitors and band followers to Inverness.
“On behalf of City of Inverness Councillors and The Highland Council we are delighted that the competition will remain hosted in the north of Scotland, following on from the excellent achievements by the event in Forres.”
She added: “Events of this nature are vital boosts to the economic vibrancy of the locations in which they are hosted, and Inverness is well placed to receive both competitors and the many visitors that will come to the event.
“The Championships add to the growing number of City Events which are all enhanced by our own Events and Festivals Programme, supported by the Inverness Common Good Fund. I very much look forward to attending the European Pipe Band Championships in 2019 in Inverness.”
The European Pipe Band Championships have been held in Forres for the last six years.
Chieftain and chairman of Piping At Forres Alan James said: “It has been an honour to be able to announce that the Championships will be moving just along the road to Inverness.
“This is great news for the Highlands that the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has chosen to locate the European Pipe Band Championships in Inverness from 2019. This will continue to encourage the pipe bands from the Highlands and Islands as well as the North East to attend.
“We wish the new organisers all the best for the next three years and we look forward to attending and showing our support at the Championships in 2019.”
