YOUNG musicians from Dollar Academy hit the high note to scoop two top prizes in the world's largest school piping and drumming competition.

The talented pupils won both the Juvenile and Novice Juvenile A categories at the 2020 Scottish School Pipe Band Championships, retaining the former title for the second year in a row.

More than 150 schools from around the country sent bands and freestyle ensembles to the competition, which took place earlier in March, with stiff competition in both categories.

Pupil pipe major Andy Jarjour explained how the 15-strong Novice Juvenile A band were overjoyed to have won.

He said on the day: "We usually have a slow start to the playing season and don't perform well at the championships, so to win today is amazing.

"It will give us the confidence to continue to perform, and continue our success, over the rest of the year.

"We did target the championships, so a lot of practice has gone into our performance. So, it's great to see all the hard work come good."

The competition was established and organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust in a bid to reignite the nation's passion for traditional instruments and to encourage the formation of bands in education.

Alexandra Duncan, chief executive of the trust, added: "It was just brilliant to see the youngsters from Dollar Academy show their passion for the Scottish tradition of piping and drumming.

"Playing in a pipe band requires a huge amount of discipline and plenty of practice – and the judges were super impressed with the talent on display from bands from all across Scotland.

"We hope this will inspire other schools and students to get involved next year and to keep our proud musical heritage growing."

The young people were also congratulated by MSP Keith Brown, who lodged a motion at Holyrood to celebrate the achievement.

He said: "I wish to congratulate the students and instructors at Dollar Academy for an excellent set of results at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships.

"Dollar Academy has an excellent international reputation for pipping and drumming and this strong set of results will only add to that.

"I was happy to lodge a motion in parliament to highlight the schools success and would like to wish students and teachers at Dollar Academy further piping success."