BRILLIANT bagpipers from an Inverclyde school blew away the opposition to triumph at the Scottish Schools' Pipe Band Championships.

Two bands from St Columba's School in Kilmacolm walked away with silverware at the contest held at Inveralmond Community High School in West Lothian.

Competing in the fiercely contested Novice Juvenile B Category, involving 18 other schools, St Columba’s Pipe Band gave such a strong performance that saw them receive the Winners Shield and a cheque for £500.

It was also a fantastic day for the St Columba’s School’s Pipe Band II who competed in the Junior B category, involving 15 other bands from across the country and were declared third place winners, receiving a shield and a cheque for £200.

Mr Mick McLaughlin, depute rector of St Columba’s, said, “We are enormously delighted with the success of both bands, especially given the level of effort and commitment, not to mention effective teamwork, demonstrated in the months leading up to Sunday’s Championships.”

Kilmacolm Tory Councillor David Wilson, who was in the audience to support the bands, said it is a wonderful achievement.

He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the Pipe Band Championships.

"This is most encouraging and a real success for an Inverclyde school.

"We are very proud to have a nationally recognised school pipe band from Inverclyde."

The bands play at the Port Glasgow Remembrance Sunday parade every year.