Tweedvale Pipe Band takes third place at World Championships

Tweedvale Pipe Band place third in grade 4a at the World Pipe Band Championships.

The 22-strong band from Innerleithen came third in grade 4a of the contest held at Glasgow Green, on Saturday.

Under pipe major Bruce Gillie and leading drummer Ross McLaren the band qualified from a heat of 16 to a 12-band final, comprising of competitors from as far afield as America.

Mr Gillie said: “This result was the highlight of our year so far. Winning a place at the worlds in any grade is a great achievement given that you have to play twice on the day against the best bands from all over.

Pipe Major Bruce Gillies with the trophy.

“I’d like to say thank you for all the messages of support and congratulations received since the results were announced. As you can tell we are all over the moon and I’d like to thank all the players and supporters for all their hard work this year.” Saturday’s placing topped off a successful season for the band, adding to their previous sixth places at both the British and Scottish championships and first place at the Europeans.

Read about that here: https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/tweedvale-pipe-band-are-crowned-european-champions-1-4763490

Four players also made their worlds debut.

Band secretary Charles Gray added: “It’s a phenomenal feeling hearing you band’s name announced as a prize-winner at the World Pipe Band Championships!

“It’s the biggest championships of the year with thousands of participants and spectators and it’s a real achievement to take a prize. “I think it’s safe to say that all the band members were overjoyed with the result as the cheers we let up were amazing. Days like Saturday make all the hard work that members put in throughout the year worthwhile.”

The band will next compete at branch competitions in Peebles and Innerleithen on September 1 and 8 respectively.