Oban High Pipe Band finish second in UK

Oban High School Pipe Band took second place in the UK Pipe Band Championships at Stormont Estate, Belfast, on Saturday.

The competition featured 102 bands from around the United Kingdom, Eire, Denmark, Canada and the USA, as well as 41 drum majors, competing for the title of United Kingdom champions in their respective grades. Oban High School Pipe Band took two second places in piping, a second in drumming and a fifth in the ensemble, putting them second overall behind Dollar Academy, in the novice A category.

The band’s Nan Johnstone said: ‘We were delighted by the result. This is why we have all the fundraising, to take part in these competitions.’

In grade 1, Inveraray and District took the runners-up spot on ensemble preference from Field Marshal Montgomery. Mid Argyll Pipe Band came second in grade 4B.

This was the UK Championships’ final year at Stormont but a new deal has been signed to keep the competition in Northern Ireland at Lurgan Park from 2019.

The next competition is the European Championships on June 30 at Grant Park, Forres.