Win is no longer a pipe dream
Crief musician Connor helps band to top title
A talented Crieff piper is celebrating after his band were crowned world champions.
Connor Sinclair ( 20) was part of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band which triumphed at the recent World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow
The Northern Ireland band fought off stiff competition from Inverary and District, who finished second, and St Laurence O’Toole from the Republic of Ireland, who were third, to take the coveted title.
In total, 15 nations were represented at The Worlds, as they are known, including bands from Ireland, Canada, England, USA, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, South Africa, Belgium, the Netherlands and host nation Scotland.
Connor’s father, Alister Sinclair, said he was extremely proud of his son who is about to begin his third year of study in BMus Scottish Traditional Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.
He said: “This is the ultimate accolade for pipe band players who come from all over the world for these championships.
“It’s a big achievement and we’re very proud of Connor who was over the moon with the result – as were the rest of the band.
“It was an amazing day and the band played fantastically well to win.”
Connor has been playing the pipes since he was just six years old following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Hugh, who was a drummer with Comrie Pipe Band.
He now plays with the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, which is based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland and is one of 10 Scottish-based pipers.
The World Pipe Band Championships took place on Glasgow Green over two days last month, with around 8000 pipers and drummers from more than 200 bands taking part.
Connor, who has completed his third season playing with the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, was also part of the team when they previously won the championship title in 2014.