Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band have been crowned World
Pipe Band Champions at Glasgow Green this afternoon in front of more than
30,000 people. The runners up were Simon Fraser University with third place
going to Scottish Power. The event, which has been held in Glasgow for more
than 60 years, drew people from all over the world to see 8,000 of the very
best pipers and drummers compete.
This year 230 bands were due at Glasgow Green
for the World Pipe Band Championships. Performances started early this morning
with the newly crowned World Champions being announced after more than 9 hours
of fierce competition.
The Worlds ended with the amazing spectacle
of the thousands of pipers and drummers who had been competing throughout the
day taking part in a march past before the world champions were crowned in
front of tens of thousands of people.
Glasgow Green also played host to some of the strongest men in the world
in a World Highland Games.
The Chieftain of the World Pipe Band
Championships, Glasgow Lord Provost Bob Winter said: “It was a great privilege
to be chieftain and I’ve enjoyed many wonderful performances. The World’s are a
major event for the city and so many people travelled here for these
championships and they have enjoyed a day that will live long in the memory.”
Ian Embelton from the organisers, the Royal
Scottish Pipe Band Association said: “Every year the standard of competition is
so high but this year we have seen something extra special. Planning for next
year is already underway but we are going to have to pull out all the stops to
improve on these championships”.
Paul Bush OBE, Chief
Operating Officer for EventScotland said, “Scotland proved again today that it
is ‘the perfect stage’ for events as it staged another successful World Pipe
Band Championships on Glasgow Green. In front of more than 30,000 visitors,
the atmosphere and activity on offer provided a wonderful experience for locals
and tourists alike.“
The
World Pipe Band Championships are organised by Glasgow Life on behalf of the
Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and Glasgow City Council and are supported
by EventScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.