Pipe band performers from Preston Lodge High School celebrated success at the UK Pipe Band Championships.

Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band travelled to Bangor, Northern Ireland, earlier this month to compete in the UK Pipe Band Championships.

This was the first of five major championships for 2024, and both the novice and juvenile bands had very good performances in their respective grades.

The novice band finished runner up, behind Lochgelly High School, in their grade, while the juvenile band finished third, behind Dollar Academy and George Watson’s College, in their grade.

Two of the school’s tutors had success in the Grade One competition.

Bass and tenor tutor Morven Walker won the Best Drum Corps Prize, with Inveraray and District.

Meanwhile, Lee Moore’s band, St. Laurence O’Toole, finished in first place overall.

Former PL pupil Ruari Black also plays with St. Laurence O’Toole, with this being his first major title in Grade One.

Lee Moore, pipe major of the band, said: “This is a really great start to our season. I’m particularly pleased for our Novice band players. For all but a few players this was their first ever major so to achieve a good result is a phenomenal achievement and well deserved as they’ve worked so hard.”

Gavin Clark, headteacher at Preston Lodge, said: “This is another proud moment for Preston Lodge and our Pipe Bands.

"We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated, skilled team of staff, delivering fantastic musical instruction to so many students.

"Our pipe bands are key ambassadors for all that is best in our community, and everyone is looking forward to a great summer, with many more major competitions to come.”

Preston Lodge Pipe Band have been shortlisted as finalists in the East Lothian Courier Community Champions Awards, in the live music category, and PL pupil piper Charlie Mack is also a finalist in the Young Community Champion Category. The Awards take place in Haddington’s Corn Exchange tonight (Thursday).