The ScottishPower Pipe Band secured its place as the premier Scottish pipe band in the world at the World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green on Saturday 11th August.

More than 35,000 spectators were at the annual World Pipe Band Championships to see the ScottishPower Pipe Band secure its coveted accolade by achieving overall second place in the competition.

Two hundred and thirty bands from across the globe battled it out for the highly sought after Championship title with ScottishPower Pipe Band only beaten for first place by Field Marshall Montgomery (NI) pipe band.

Grade 1 pipe band placings:

1st - Field Marshall Montgomery (Northern Ireland)
2nd - ScottishPower
3rd - Simon Fraser University (Canada)
4th - Boghall & Bathgate
5th - St Laurence O'Toole
6th - Strathclyde Police

Ann Loughrey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at ScottishPower, said: “The success of the ScottishPower Pipe Band is down to the ability and dedication of each and every member of the band.  This is a fantastic achievement and is a credit to their talent, determination and hard work.  Our congratulations go out to each and every band member.”

Chris Armstrong, Pipe Major of ScottishPower Pipe Band, said: “We’re delighted with the band’s performance. We improved on our position last year, when we finished third, and we are the top-placed Scottish band. That means a lot to us.”

The prestigious Pipe Band contest dates back to 1930 and is the premier event of the Pipe Band calendar. Upwards of 35,000 thousand of spectators from across the globe descended on Glasgow Green for what has become one of the biggest Pipe Band competitions in the world.

The Championships were broadcast live on the BBC's website giving people all over the world the opportunity to watch the competition as it happened live in Glasgow.

The final pipe band Championship of the season is at Cowal on 25th August.

For further information about the ScottishPower Pipe Band, please visit www.scottishpowerpipeband.com

For further media information, please contact:

Susanne Grant susanne.grant@bigpartnership.co.uk
0141 333 9585 / 07824 388 472

Kirstin Aitken kirstin.aitken@bigpartnership.co.uk
0141 333 9585

Notes to Editors

• ScottishPower became the title sponsor of the band in 1989
• The band is led by Pipe Major Chris Armstrong and Drum Sergeant Barry Wilson