One of Buchan’s most transcendent beauty spots turned into a musical battleground yesterday when pipers from across the north of Scotland faced off for a range of top titles.
The annual gathering of pipe bands – which dates back to 1993 – took place at Aden Country Park near Mintlaw in the run-up to the World Championships.
The competition included the presentation of the North of Scotland champion of champions title, awarded to the band which has produced the best performances across the summer piping season.
And this year, the Buchan Pipe Band, who organised the event, claimed the prize at the climax of a hard-fought competition.
Last night, the band’s secretary Malcolm Sweet heralded the event as a huge success.
He said: “It went really well and, luckily, the rain and wind held off. There were one or two quite big gusts of wind, but it didn’t stop the bands.
“We did well – we won Grade One band and drums, Grade Two band and drums as well as Champion of Champions for our performance across the season.”
“It’s a really good lead up for the World Championships which are being held at Glasgow Green next weekend.”
In total, 17 bands from across the north of Scotland took part in yesterday’s contest at Aden. These included the Buchan, Turriff and Elgin pipe bands as well as 2622 Highland Squadron and the Granite City Pipes and Drums.
Mr Sweet added: “2622 Squadron won virtually all the Grade Three routines in band and drums, and Elgin and Culter and District won in Grade Four.
“I think that everybody who was there really enjoyed the day and I reckon there were between 3,000 and 4,000 spectators.”
The Aden Country Park event also incorporates a drum majors contest, as well as Highland dancing.