Go fourth! Stirling schools’ pipe band celebrates World Championship success

The Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band are celebrating after being named fourth best in the world.

Picture shows the Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band at the recent World Championships in Glasgow
Picture shows the Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band at the recent World Championships in Glasgow.

The band, made up of young pipers and drummers from schools across the Stirling Council area, competed at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow on 17 August.

They qualified for the final after winning through their heat in the Novice B Grade section, eventually placing a very creditable ninth out of 28 competing bands from across the world.

However, an administrative error by event organisers, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, led to an amendment of the final placings – and, following a meeting earlier this week, Stirling and District Schools was recognised as having actually finishing fourth.

Amazing achievement

Pipe Tutor Chris Gibb said: “The administrative error was unfortunate and denied our young people the chance to fully celebrate their achievement on the day of the event itself.

“However, in no way does that detract from the pride and delight we all feel at being recognised as fourth in our class in the world.

“We have competed regularly throughout the year across Scotland in the Novice B grade and have improved on each performance.  Our goal this year was to reach the final of the World Championships so to do that and end up being placed fourth overall, out of 28 bands, is an amazing achievement.”

The overall winner of the Novice B Grade section was Scotch College No. 2 from Australia, who finished ahead of Burntisland and Districts, People's Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia, and Stirling.

The Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band consists of 30 members, with 18 pipers. Children are taught chanter and side drum in Primary and High school and are invited into the Pipe Band fold when they reach a certain level.

Huge congratulations

Cllr Margaret Brisley, convener of the Children and Young People Committee, said: “Our young people work tirelessly throughout the winter months learning new material to perform – and they always perform with a pride and passion.

“They actively support our communities too at various local events, fetes and festivals, so to finish the summer with this result is nothing less than our young people deserve.

“A huge congratulations to the Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band, as well as their tutors, families, friends and supporters, for this marvellous achievement.”