Pipers and drummers from Renfrewshire were confirmed as among the best in the country at the weekend.

Youngsters from Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band emerged victorious out of the 16 groups that competed in the novice juvenile B category at Levengrove Park, in Dumbarton, on Saturday.

Members of St Columba's School Pipe Band, based in Kilmacolm, were also celebrating at the 2023 Scottish Pipe Band Championships after being awarded second place in the novice juvenile A category.

Kilbarchan Pipe Band secured fourth place in the 4A category.

The Gazette:

Keith Bowes, pipe major of Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band, said members of the group are "delighted" about their victory.

He told The Gazette: "It was their first time winning a major championship for the vast majority of the young people, so it was kind of a new experience for them.

"We had a nice consistent run and they played good music. There was a lot of concentration involved and the band played as one.

"We were well organised during the week, so the amount of tuning that was needed on the day was minimal, which allowed us to peak at the right moment on the day and we managed to avoid the worst of the weather.

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"I'm super proud, they've all put in a lot of hard work and they gave a good performance that came at the right moment."

Elderslie teenager Ryan Crain, one of the pipers, confirmed the band had been working "exceptionally hard" in the run-up to the competition.

The 17-year-old said: "It was a great feeling to hear us announced as the winners.

"It was just what we needed to keep our drive going for the upcoming competitions.

The Gazette:

"Hopefully we build on this success in the next few weeks."

Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band will be performing in Glasgow's George Square on Thursday, August 10, as part of the 2023 UCI World Cycling Championships taking place in the city.

They will then be competing at the North Berwick Highland Games on Saturday, August 12.

Keith added: "Sky Arts will be following us on the day of North Berwick, so it's really exciting for the kids to have the camera crew following them about to see their progress."