World Pipe Band championships end on high note

THE biggest international competition in the piping calendar was won by Northern Ireland’s Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band – for a fourth year in a row.

The World Pipe Band Championships win on Saturday marks the tenth world title for the most successful pipe band ever.

Inveraray & District Pipe Band were runners-up at Glasgow Green and third place went to t he St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band from the Irish Republic.

The event, which has been associated with Glasgow for more than 60 years, drew people from all over the world to see 8,000 of the best pipers and drummers compete. Over the course of the weekend, some 30,000 people attended.

This year more than 220 bands took part with performances starting on Friday.

The tournament ended with the spectacle of the thousands of pipers and drummers who had been competing throughout the day taking part in a march past, taking the salute of the Chieftain, the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Sadie Docherty, before the champions were crowned.

Ian Embelton. chief executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: “Every year we see pipers and drummers putting in thousands of hours of practice in a bid to set new standards for themselves and their bands, and the people who have been here over the last two days have enjoyed some terrific competition.”

Lord P r ovo s t Sadie Docherty said: “Glasgow has just played host to the best Commonwealth Games ever and now we’ve welcomed the world’s best pipers and drummers for what has been a sensational champi- onships. It’s been an incredible summer which marked by the people of Glasgow and their incredible warmth, humour and hospitality.”

The championships is organised by Glasgow Life on behalf of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and Glasgow City Council.

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band was founded at the end the Second World War by a group of farmers’ sons on the outskirts of Belfast.

It was so named after Bernard Law Montgomery gave his blessing when the musicians wrote to him, asking to use his name.

The band first won the world championships in 1992.

CHAMPIONS: Pipers from the Field Marshal Mongomery band, from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, jump for joy after being named the best in the world. Picture: Reuters

BATTLE STATIONS: Field Marshal Montgomery pipers at the World Pipe Bands Championships, held on Glasgow Green.

WINNING FEELING: Two Field Marshal Montgomery pipers show their delight at their band’s latest victory.