IT was celebration time last weekend for the Royal Burgh of Annan Pipe Band after they were named Grade 2 Scottish Champions following a fantastic performance in Dumbarton.
Bands from all over the country travelled to Levengrove Park to compete in the 2023 Scottish Pipe Band Championships.
The Royal Burgh played in Grade 2, the second highest grade in the RSPBA’s grading system, in a March, Strathspey and Reel competition among a field of 13 other bands.
A great performance in kind weather conditions saw Annan crowned eventual winners of the grade.
The band boasts 43 members, ranging from pipers, drummers and a sound team. This consists of a strong Dumfries and Galloway core with additional members attending practices from Glasgow, North West England and Newcastle. A few even travel from Belgium and the Netherlands to compete with the band.
Their success is down to hard work and great commitment from everyone involved. Weekly practice sessions ramp up to 2/3 nights a week during competition season with regular all-day weekend practices at least once a month.
Band secretary Linda Mckie said: “This is the band’s second major championship win since being promoted to Grade 2, and we are hopeful to build on this success and take the momentum to the World Pipe Band Championships on August 19 in Glasgow.”
Before that, the band are in action at the North Berwick Highland Games. This will be their last run out before the World Championships.
Thanks are expressed to Cochran Ltd, Annandale Distillery, the Holywood Trust and Cunninghame Housing’s Making Communities Better Places fund for all of their generous support.
