IT WAS another summer of success for Dollar Academy's pipe bands with numerous accolades collected in recent months.

Performances at the European Pipe Band Championships foreshadowed what was to come as both the Juvenile and Novice A bands won their grade competitions at Grant Park in Forres earlier in June.

More recently, the youngsters were in Glasgow for the World Championship event over the weekend of August 16-17, when 8,000 drummers and pipers gathered for what is considered to be the most prestigious competition on the calendar.

The Juvenile band were overall winners in their category with a medley including hornpipes, jigs and reels.

The Novice A band also went on to win their grade for the very first time with a highly impressive display.

Having won four of the five major competitions this year, the former band were also named Champion of Champions, a title they scooped last year as well.

The Novice A band won all five and received the same title for their category.

Piping instructor and pipe major Mr Wilson was full of praise.

He said: "I take great pride in all of the pupils' efforts and achievements this year.

"I feel that we delivered one of the best World Championships performances ever produced by the Dollar Academy Pipe Band."

And the awards did not stop there.

The Juvenile band also won the Best Drum Corps title, which they last claimed in 2015, and were named Champion of Champions for drumming for the first time.

Ian Embelton, chief executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: "The World Pipe Band Championships has always had the capacity to bring the very best out of the hugely talented pipers and drummers that work so hard in their bands to be the best.

"This year, we have been treated to a wonderful example of how compelling and dramatic this competition is, even though it is always contested in the best possible spirit.

"As always, the pursuit of perfection has been a joy to watch and to listen to."