St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm, won the Junior B category at the Scottish Schools’ Pipe Band Championships, the world’s largest schools piping event. A record-breaking 700 young pipers and drummers entered the competition, held at Inveralmond Community High School in West Lothian earlier this month. Competing against 17 other schools, St Columba’s Pipe Band gave a performance that saw them receive the Winners’ Shield and a cheque for £500.
The Band performed ‘Captain Norman Orr Ewing’, ‘Greenwood Side’, ‘Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban’ and ‘The Earl of Mansfield’. Mr Mick McLaughlin, Depute Rector, said: “We are thrilled by the success of the School’s Pipe Band at the Scottish Schools’ Pipe Band Championships. Our musicians and their instructors, Mr Bruce and Mr Nelson, have worked especially hard in the lead up to the competition, with before-school rehearsals taking place throughout the last month.”
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon attended the event and presented the prizes to the winners.
Around 90 pupils from Junior 3 to Senior VI are involved in St Columba’s School’s Piping and Drumming programme, from grassroots level in the Development Band through progression to the full Pipe Band, comprising over 60 pupils. The Band plays at all major school occasions, as well as for many local community events. It is also regularly invited to play at Clydeport, Greenock, to entertain passengers on visiting cruise ships, and participates in the Tartan Week celebrations in New York.
