PIPERS and drummers from Renfrewshire are celebrating after being crowned as British champions.

Kilbarchan Pipe Band emerged victorious out of the 15 groups from across the UK that competed in the Grade 4B category at Battery Park, between Greenock and Gourock, on Saturday.

Michael Kerr, pipe corporal and secretary of Kilbarchan Pipe Band, said members of the group are “absolutely ecstatic” about their success at the 2022 British Pipe Band Championships.

He told The Gazette: “This is our first major championship win since the pipe band reformed just over 20 years ago.

“It’s just been a fantastic experience, especially as we put out five young players who had never competed in a major competition before.

“The weather was overcast and drizzly during the day but we got it dry for performing, which made it even better.”

Around 30 members of Kilbarchan Pipe Band played a set of four marches together and were assessed by judges on their technical abilities, as well as their overall performance.

After learning they had been awarded the trophy, the group held a party to celebrate that lasted well into the night.

Michael said: “We faced tough competition, as all the pipe bands in our grade played fantastically well.

“We would like to thank the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association for putting on events like this and helping to upkeep the Scottish pipe band music scene.

“In a couple of weeks’ time, we will be going across to Ireland to compete in the UK Pipe Band Championships, then Inverness to compete in the European Pipe Band Championships and we will also be competing in the Scottish and World Championships this year.”

Band members meet up at the Scout Hall, in Barn Green, Kilbarchan, on Tuesday and Thursday nights for practice sessions and to provide tuition to less experienced players.

Michael added: “These practice sessions and competitions are our lives between May and the end of August.

“If people are interested in joining, we offer a tuition programme to learn how to play the pipes or drums.”

For more information, send a message via Kilbarchan Pipe Band’s Facebook page at facebook.com/kilbarchanpb.