IT’S time for Glasgow residents to get piping hot - because Piping Live is back in the city.

The week-long celebration of all things piping will return a week today and features a host of events, gigs and workshops aimed at appealing to hardcore followers and new fans in equal measure.

The week-long bash will all build up to “The Worlds” on August 14 and 15, when the World Pipe Band Championships take place on Glasgow Green.

Last year the competition attracted entrants from as far away as Oman and Australia, and more than 200 bands in total entered the contest.

It’s not just about the championships, though, with a number of other events on, while this year Piping Live! returns to George Square after two years away.

The Square will even host a piper’s market, filled with local Scottish produce aimed at tickling the taste-buds.

Here’s some other notable numbers from Piping Live! to chew over…

66: As in Route 66, the famed stretch of American highway that ran from Chicago to California and inspired many a writer, poet and musician over the years.

It’s also inspired a new film by the director John MacDonald, Pipes & Sticks on Route 66, which sees five top musicians go on a concert tour down the highway.

A free screening of the film took place at the GFT yesterday, prior to the festival properly starting the next day.

40: That’s how many years the Tannahill Weavers have been making music for.

Regarded as one of the world’s top traditional bands, they’ll be marking four decades of music with a special set on August 16, where they’ll be joined by pipers from throughout their history and some special guests to celebrate the occasion.

24: This is how many hours Rikki Evans is aiming to pipe for, starting on the morning of Wednesday August 12 in the National Piping Centre. He’s trying to set a Guinness World Record, while the 28-year-old Aberdeen piper will be raising money for five good causes in his attempt.

We should find out around 1pm on the Thursday whether he’s managed to achieve the feat.

2,646: Some people might have a wee moan whenever they have travel outside Glasgow to go to a gig, but Wendy MacIssac and Mary Jane Lamond clearly don’t mind a bit of travelling. 2,646 miles is the distance they will have journeyed to get to Glasgow and take part in the Friday Night Folk event on August 14.

The pals are heading over from Nova Scotia, having recently released their Seinn album that mixes traditional tunes with original compositions.

40,000: Over this number of fans are expected to attend events in Glasgow over the seven days it’s being held.

30: The age of the National Piping Centre, which serves as a hub for so much of the action over the full week.

It will play host to many of the gigs and workshops taking place over the seven days, with the Piper’s Tryst restaurant serving up food throughout, and the Street Café sessions providing music to go alongside your burger.

10: It’s been a decade since Pipe Idol popped up.

The name might provoke a few groans, but it’s a great way to get a taste of the pipes.

Some of the best young international pipers will be competing for the prize, with heats taking place every day until the Grand Final on Thursday August 13.

Entry is free each day too.

It’s also been 10 years since the great Gordon Duncan passed away.

To mark the anniversary, the Gordon Duncan Memorial Piping Competition will take place on Sunday August 16, with pipers battling it out over three sets of Scottish, Irish and Breton tunes.

1748: It’s believed that 1748 marks the first time that lowland piping began to be officially distinguished from Highland piping.

The Lowland and Border Pipers Society will hold a gig on August 12 spotlighting a number of collaborations available to Lowland and Border pipers.

3: As in three in the morning on August 16, when the After Worlds shindig will wrap up.

Saturday will bring the finale of the world championships, and whatever the results are there’s certain to be an almighty party going into the wee small hours of Sunday.

Piping Live! runs from today through to Sunday August 16.

Tickets are available from www.pipinglive.co.uk