Dundee youngsters lift pipe band award as bomb victim Eilidh remembered
HUNDREDS of young musicians piped up for Scotland’s musical heritage yesterday when they went head-to-head in the world’s largest schools piping and drumming competition.
Youngsters from 152 schools, including 72 pipe bands and freestyle ensembles, descended on Kilmarnock for the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships.
Competition was fierce in the seven playing categories. There were also inspiring nominations for the Eilidh Macleod Endeavour Award, which was named in tribute to the young piper from Barra who died in the Manchester Arena bomb attack in 2017. That winner was Dundee City Pipe Band.
Other winners were:
Quartets: 1st – Meldrum Academy B; 2nd – Forres Academy; 3rd – Meldrum Academy A.
Debut: 1st – South Ayrshire Schools/ Girvan Youth Pipe Band; 2nd –
Upper Nithsdale and District Schools; 3rd – West Renfrewshire Schools. Freestyle Musicianship:1st –
Royal High School; 2nd – Sgoil Lionacleit; Joint 3rd – Renfrewshire Schools/high School of Glasgow. Junior A: 1st – Fettes College; 2nd – Dumfries and Galloway Schools; 3rd – Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools.
Junior B: 1st– Gordonstoun School; 2nd – High School of Glasgow; 3rd – Community School of Auchterarder.
Novice Juvenile A: 1st – Dollar Academy; 2nd – George Watson’s College; 3rd – Renfrewshire Schools.
Novice Juvenile B: 1st – St Columba’s School; 2nd – High School of Dundee; 3rd – George Watson’s College.
Juvenile: 1st – Dollar Academy, 2nd – George Watson’s College; 3rd – George Heriot’s School.
Alexandra Duncan, chief executive of Scottish Schools Pipes & Drums Trust, said: “It was just brilliant to see some 800 youngsters show their passion for the Scottish tradition of piping and drumming.
“We hope this will inspire other schools and students to get involved next year and keep our proud musical heritage growing.
“We’re also extremely grateful to the parents, schools and local authorities working closely with us to bring tuition opportunities to young people in Scotland.”