Gordon’s School pipers represent England in Scotland

The chance to compete with their bagpipes in the very heart of Scotland proved irresistible for Gordon’s School pipers.

Taking part in their first piping competition – and the only English school there – four pipers from the senior school in West End, Woking, travelled to Edinburgh at the weekend for the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships at the Inveralmond Community High School in Livingstone, Edinburgh.

There, the foursome of Edward Lee, Oliver Henderson, Owen Carter and their teacher Senior Pipe Major Iona Scotson played in the Quartet section of the competition and were placed 9th overall.

The Pipes and Drums have been an integral part of Gordon’s for over 100 years. They not only play for the school’s nine annual ceremonial parades, but are also in high demand for fetes, charity dinners, balls and other events outside the school. They wear a form of military uniform incorporating the Gordon tartan, and the same uniform is worn by all students for ceremonial parades.

Last year the pipers performed at the NEC in Birmingham at the Lest we Forget Concert and alongside bagrock group The Red Hot Chili Pipers.

Speaking afterwards, Mrs Scotson commented: ‘The whole event was such a fantastic experience and it was a tremendous honour to play at the competition. I’m so incredibly proud of what they achieved in such a short space of time. We are already looking forward to returning to Scotland for next year’s championships!’