by Nicole Reid

LOMOND and Clyde Pipe Band is celebrating after their “greatest achievement to date” at the weekend.

The competition pipe band – who are based in Clydebank with pipers from Dunbarton, Knightswood, Alexandria, Helensburgh and Clydebank – picked up third place at the World Pipe Band Championships on Saturday, August 13.

They also won their qualifying heat after top performances in the grade two competition with leading drummer Allan Craig. (pictured)

The band beat off stiff competition in two qualifying heats from 24 rival bands in their first season under Pipe Major David Wilton.

Speaking to the Reporter, Band Secretary Alisdair Tennant said: “We are delighted. It is our biggest achievement to date, especially it is only our first season under Pipe Major David Wilton. He has led the band to a number of successes, with Worlds making it five prizes in five majors. That is not expected in your first year.”

Looking ahead to the future he added: “We have a mix of experienced and young talent which allows the band to keep growing and developing.

"Our aim now is to reach grade 1 for the 2018 season and we have a hard winter practising and perfecting our repertoire to ensure we succeed in grade 2 next year and gain promotion.

“We are headlining a St Andrews night celebration in Basel, Switzerland in November and we are lead band at the three night Glasgow Tattoo at the Hydro in January – so a wee break now then a very busy few months ahead!”

Originally named Clydebank and District Pipe Band, it was 2000 when they became Lomond and Clyde.

The band is made up from a number of local pipers across the area but as they continue to grow they have recently added talent from Switzerland and Germany.

More than 230 pipe bands brought around 8,000 pipers and drummers to Glasgow Green to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships at the weekend.

This year's event was the 30th year in a row.