Nelson's Celtic Pipe Band made the mammoth trek to Glasgow, Scotland, in August to participate in the annual World Pipe Band Championships.

Six Nayland students - Elise Reid, Evie Reid, Janae Grundy, Denver Keene, Matt Aldworth and Casey McConnon - were lucky enough to be a part of the trip. They were members of the 83-strong contingent of musicians and supporters, led by Pipe Major Callum Gilchrist.  

It was the first time the band had participated in the event. The trip was made possible by two years of fundraising, featuring a Ceilidh Night (Scottish dancing), a quiz night and sausage sizzles.  

Year 12 student Evie Reid, who has been playing the bagpipes for five years, said the feeling of playing on the green in the moment was "exhilarating".  "I was locked into the circle, head in the music, watching the pipe major's fingers the whole time, just listening, thinking about what I was doing, performing," she said.

Evie said the chance to participate in such a high level competition was "awesome", though it wasn't always easy to find practice space, due to  the sheer volume of bands and players.  "It was a bit of a competition trying to find grass to practise on where someone wasn't already there!"

The hard work and long trip paid off in terms of results too.  The Grade 4 band won their division in the lead-up competition and then went on to place ninth overall in the finals.  The Grade 2 band also qualified for the finals and placed fourth.

When the group wasn't playing or practising they took in local sights such as the Edinburgh and Stirling Castles and the Wallace Monument.