Pokemon pipe up at championships

POKEMON are everywhere – even putting in an appearance at Paisley Pipe Band Championships.

Ruari Buchan – a young piper with the the Johnstone Pipe Band – got lucky just before performing for the judges when he had a quick check and bagged himself a Pokemon.

The town was transformed for the seventh annual championships on Saturday, with bumper crowds lining the High Street and County Square.

They watched pipers and drummers from across Renfrewshire, Scotland and further afield compete to be named champions.

More than 20 bands put on more than 40 performances for thousands of spectators. Each band marched from High Street, to the final tuning area at the Cenotaph, before making their way to the main arena in County Square.

Here, they performed to a panel of judges from the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.

The winning bands were presented with their trophies by chieftain of the event, Renfrewshire’s Depute Provost John Caldwell.

He said: “It was an honour to be able to present the bands with their recognition for a great day’s entertainment.

“Once again, Paisley town centre provided a fantastic backdrop for the pipers, drummers and large crowds who came to experience the sounds and spectacle of the Paisley Pipe Band Championships.”