INVERARAY & District Pipe Band will head into next week’s World Championships brimming with confidence after lifting the grade one title at the European Pipe Band Championships in Perth.
Under the leadership of Pipe Major Stuart Liddell and Leading Drummer Steven McWhirter, the Argyll band produced a polished and powerful performance that impressed both judges and spectators.
With crisp piping, rock- solid drumming and a dynamic overall sound, Inveraray edged out a strong field to claim the top spot, adding another major championship to their growing list of accolades.
Grade one full results
Overall: 1, – Inveraray & District; 2, – Field Marshal Montgomery; 3, – Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia; 4, – Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia; 5, – St. Laurence O’Toole (Ireland); 6, – Police Scotland Fife; 7, – ScottishPower; 8, – Manawatu Scottish (New Zealand); 9, – St. Thomas Alumni (USA); 10, – Johnstone; 11, – Closkelt; drumming, – Inveraray & District
Medley: 1, – Inveraray & District (1,3,2,2); 2, – Field Marshal Montgomery (4,4,3,1); 3, – Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia (2,2,5,4); 4, – St. Laurence O’Toole (6,6,1,3) (ens.pref.); 5, – Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia (3,1,7,5); 6, – Police Scotland Fife (7,7,4,7); 7, – Manawatu Scottish (New Zealand) (5,5,8,9); 8, – ScottishPower (8,8,6,6); 9, – St. Thomas Alumni (USA) (9,10,9,8); 10, – Johnstone (10,9,11,11); 11, – Closkelt (11,11,10,10).
Judges: Grant Walker, Barry Donaldson (piping); Duncan Millar (drumming); Brian Martin (ensemble).
MSR (four-part maximum tunes): 1, – Inveraray & District (1,1,2,1); 2, – Field Marshal Montgomery (2,2,4,2); 3, – Police Scotland Fife (5,3,3,5); 4, – Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia (7,6,1,3) (ens. pref.); 5, – Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia (3,4,6,4); 6, – St. Laurence O’Toole (4,7,5,6)
7th ScottishPower (6,5,7,7); 8, – St. Thomas Alumni (USA) (8,9,9,8); 9, – Manawatu Scottish (New Zealand) (9,8,8,9); 10, – Johnstone (10,10,11,10); 11th Closkelt (11,11,10,11).
Judges: Shaunna Hilder, Ronnie McShannon (piping); Allan Craig (drumming); Jennifer Hutcheon (ensemble).
The win is a timely boost for the reigning world champions, who will now set their sights on defending their crown at Glasgow Green on Saturday, August 16.
The Worlds will see over 200 bands from 15 countries competing across various grades, making it the largest piping event in the global calendar.
With the European title now secured, Inveraray & District’s supporters will be hoping the band can repeat the feat at the Worlds and once again bring the most coveted trophy in pipe band music back to Argyll.
