Since 1994, Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band have organised the now world-famous “Pre-Worlds Concert” in Glasgow as part of the annual Piping Live! Festival and World Pipe Band Championships. This, the 2025 edition, was held in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall and titled “SOLAS” – featuring Grade 1 competitors Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band headlining the highly-anticipated concert for their fourth time.
TRADtv was lucky enough to gain exclusive access to the Shott’s concert rehearsals in the lead up to the big show, talking to some key members of the band as well as capturing some very special pieces of performance whilst there.
Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band is led by Pipe Major Emmett Conway and boasts a new drum section, led by Lead-Drummer David Henderson, who left Grade 1 Police Scotland & Federation Pipe Band in early February 2025 to join their Lanarkshire rivals.
“SOLAS” which means “light” in Gaelic cleverly refers to band’s hometown slogan, “Shotts lights the world” – coined back when it was a major coal and ironworks manufacturer that distributed gas-lamps all across the world. Founded in 1910, Shotts & Dykehead is one of the world’s longest-running civilian pipe bands, winning 16 World Championships over its 115-year history.
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