The North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band is celebrating a strong start to the piping season with a series of impressive competition results and performances.
Early Successes
The band began the year impressively, finishing as runners-up at the prestigious George Watson’s Invitational Pipe Band Competition in Edinburgh in March. One week later, they achieved another excellent second place at the Scottish Schools Championship, which saw a record 172 schools from across Scotland participating.
Outdoor Season Wins
The outdoor season has continued this success. The Novice A band won at Gourock Highland Games in May, competing against both school and adult bands in Grade 4A. The Novice B band also performed well, finishing third in its category. At Dollar Academy on May 23, the Novice A band secured another victory, and the Novice B band once again achieved third place.
British Championship Performance
At the British Pipe Band Championship at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh, the first major competition of the season, the Novice A band placed fourth out of 12 bands. The Novice B band achieved a very respectable sixth place in a large field of 18 school bands, despite having the challenging first performance slot of the day.
Community Representation
Away from competition, the band has proudly represented North Lanarkshire at a range of community events, including Lanimer Day in Lanark, Strathaven Gala Day, St Andrew’s Hospice’s 40th anniversary celebrations in Airdrie, and the Head Teachers’ Conference at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility. The band’s talented young pipers and drummers will also perform at Primary Seven leavers’ ceremonies across the region.
Looking Ahead
The band is preparing for the European Pipe Band Championship in Perth on June 27, the Scottish Championship in Dumbarton on July 25, and the World Pipe Band Championship at Glasgow Green on August 14.
Ross Cowan, pipe major, said: “We would like to thank our primary and secondary schools across the region for their continued support of our instrumental music pupils, and to the council for providing these opportunities which allow our young people to achieve such incredible performances.”
