A Dumbarton joiner has told of his joy after being declared a Scottish champion bagpiper on home soil.
Craig Bell plays in Johnstone Pipe Band, which competed against bands across the world to take first place in grade 3A at the Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Levengrove Park.
Around 20,000 spectators flocked to the event, which organisers have described as the “best ever” held for a masterclass of traditional music.
A total of 117 bands from as far afield as Texas and Australia gathered in the shadow of Dumbarton Rock for the first staging of West Dunbartonshire’s flagship event since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Craig, 33, is a joiner with West Dunbartonshire Council but is now also a Scottish Champion bagpiper for the second time after also winning in 2016.
He said: “It was really good to win it once again, especially on home soil for me.
“We came second at the British Championships, and third at the European Championships, so we were going in quietly confident. It all depends on the performance of the day.
“When we came off, we knew that we played very well with no mistakes and that if a band was to beat us, they would have played equally as good.
“We certainly left everything out there with no mistakes or regrets.
“This is the second time I have won the Scottish Championships. I won it in 2016 at a different grade, so we have moved up a few grades since then.
“I celebrated with a few beers and a sore head on the Sunday.”
There were also celebrations for Field Marshal Montgomery from Northern Ireland, who took the Grade 1 winners title.
Ian Embelton, chief executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: “This has been a great championships, possibly our best ever in terms of the crowds and the new layout we have designed, which has had terrific feedback from spectators and competitors.
“I think we all relish this more than ever after the past two years we have been through. The bands have missed this terribly because it’s not a hobby for them, it’s their way of life.”
Competitors and spectators came from far and wide to enjoy the world class music.
Four Buddhist monks from Thailand added a vibrant splash of orange amid the maelstrom of coloured tartans.
Residing at the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple in Helensburgh, the monks came to sample some distinctly Scottish culture in the park.
Phra Boonchuay, from Bangkok, said: “It’s lovely to be here and to say all the bands in their traditional dress. It’s a special experience.”
Provost McAllister said: “After three years everyone is delighted to be back again to this perfect setting for the Scottish Pipe Band Championships.
“It’s a match made in heaven.”
