Scottish Borders Pipe Band crowned Scottish champions

Scottish Borders Pipe Band proved they are music to judges' ears after being crowned Scottish champions at the weekend.
Scottish Borders Pipe Band celebrates its first place in grade 3b at the Scottish Pipe Band Championships held in Dumbarton on Saturday.Scottish Borders Pipe Band celebrates its first place in grade 3b at the Scottish Pipe Band Championships held in Dumbarton on Saturday.
Scottish Borders Pipe Band celebrates its first place in grade 3b at the Scottish Pipe Band Championships held in Dumbarton on Saturday.

The 17-strong team of pipers and drummers stormed to victory in grade 3b at the championship, held in Dumbarton on Saturday.

They saw off competition from nine other bands to take two first places in piping, a second in drumming and a second from the ensemble judge for their march, Strathspey and reel performance.

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Under pipe major Stuart Robinson and leading drummer Dave Henry, the Stow-based band have enjoyed an excellent competition season so far.

“We were fifth at the British championships in May and knew that we were in with a chance at the rest of the major competitions this year,” Stuart said.

“The band are absolutely delighted at being crowned Scottish Champions in grade 3B and we’re now getting ready for the world championships in August.

“We have had a good record at the Scottish championships over the years, with our grade 4 band placed sixth there last year.”

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Competing since 2010, the band were also world champions in grade 4a in 2011 and Scottish champions in grade 3b in 2012. They enjoyed promotion to grade 3a in 2013, where they remained before taking a short break and returning to action in grade 3b this year, alongside their grade 4b band, formed last year.

Stuart added: “A lot of our success is due to the introduction of younger players taught through our pipes and drums school. This has been invaluable to us and we really have to thank the local EDF wind farm for supporting us. We are currently looking for new pupils, ideally in primary five to seven-aged children.”

The band also plays at local engagements in Stow and Lauder as well as further afield having enjoyed recent trips to the likes of Romania and Spain.

The Innerleithen-based Tweedvale Pipe Band also continued their successful streak on Saturday, placing sixth in grade 4a.

Scottish Borders Pipe Band practice twice a week in Stow. Anyone interested in joining can visit www.scottishborderspipeband.co.uk