A total of 129 pipe bands and 49 drum majors from across the UK and Ireland competed for a number of prestigious titles at the free event, hosted by West Dunbartonshire Council in partnership with The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, at Levengrove Park.

The honour of Grade One title went to the St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band from Dublin, who pushed last year’s winners Field Marshall Montgomery into second place. The Irish band also scooped the Grade One drumming title under leading drummer Stephen Creighton. The winner of the adult Drum Major competition was Brian Wilson, from Lomond and Clyde Pipe Band.

Dumbarton and District Pipe Band came in an unfortunate second-to-last place, but piper Ross Ponsonby says the band still had a great time.

He told the Reporter: “It was a really good day, as it was really sunny.

“For me the big thing with the Scottish championships is it’s free.

“People want to come along and see what it’s about. Some other competitions charge visitors and it can be off putting. It was a lot busier than it has been for the last couple of years, but that was down to the good weather too.

“We didn’t get a good result, we didn’t expect to come second last, we were expecting to do better because I thought the performance was good.

“Although didn’t get the result we wanted. we all still enjoyed the day.

“Usually after we finish playing, we all stay together and go and listen to some other bands, have a few drinks and then go and listen to the results.

“We arranged to meet up with some people we haven’t seen since the year before, and you often see people you haven’t seen in ages, so it’s a good day for catching up with people. It’s a great get together.

“You go out there and do your best. The plan for next year is to come back, make the band stronger, and try again. We have had eight or nine competitions this year, and we usually do 12 or 14, so we have plenty of practice.” Douglas McAllister, West Dunbartonshire Provost and Chieftain of the championships, said: “It was another absolutely fantastic day for the town on Saturday.

“With the sun shining on Levengrove Park, the sight of all the pipe bands in the shadow of Dumbarton Rock performing the march past at the end of the day was something to behold. Hosting the Scottish Pipe Band Championships is a real honour for the area, and to have a record number of visitors coming along to watch on the day just proves how popular this event has become over the years. A great deal of credit must go to all the staff from the Council and WD Leisure who put in an amazing amount of effort to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day.” Ian Embelton, chief executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: “This was without doubt one of the best Scottish Pipe Band Championships we have ever had. I would like to thank West Dunbartonshire Council for once again putting on a first class event, and for arranging the weather as well. We always look forward to coming to Levengrove Park and it was a thoroughly enjoyable day for everyone who took part.” More than 200 children enjoyed the free activities provided in the Sports Zone, where they had the chance to test their football skills, take on athletics challenges, and try out the Clubgolf area. A number of prizes of free swims and gym passes were up for grabs throughout the day for children taking part in these activities.

The Highland dancing competitions also proved popular with a number of local performers winning the prizes.

The Premier under 12 title went to Amy Loughlin from Erskine, with Billie Sim from Aberdeen winning the Premier under 16 event. Katie Cameron from Bonhill won the Intermediate section; Alexandria’s Dana Dolan won the Novice Section; and in the Beginners category the joint overall winners of the Highland trophy were Cara Cameron from Bonhill and Iona McSorley from Helensburgh, with the national trophy going to Cara Cameron, from Bonhill.

Staff from the Council and West Dunbartonshire Leisure worked tirelessly throughout the day selling programmes, managing traffic and car parking as well as picking up litter and emptying bins within the park.