Forres and District Pipe Band performed at six Highland Games this summer, winning prizes along the way

THE town’s best known musicians have been playing up a storm across Moray and the Highlands.

Forres and District Pipe Band (FDPB) have had an extremely busy time since July 8, performing at a total of six Highland Games through the summer months.

FDPB spokeswoman Sharon Carmichael explained: “In return, the other bands support the Forres Highland Games massed pipe band events.”

FDPB started the season with the local games at Grant Park - the first on the area’s games calendar - led by Pipe Major, Johnathan Scott.

Ms Carmichael confirmed the highlight of the summer was the band’s trip to Abernethy Games on August 12, where they won the fiercely contested Pipe Band Challenge Shield. FDPB previously won the contest in 1949, 1950 and more recently in 2017.

Ahead of the winners announcements on the day, the band were runners-up to Dufftown and District Pipe Band in the highly competitive tug-o-war competition too.

Pipe Major Scott said: “I was very pleased with how we played on the day and delighted to be announced as winners!”

Junior members of the band have been entering piping and drumming competitions, and have had a particularly successful summer.

Pipers Aidan Phimister, Bill Symon and Charlie Holder placed in a number of competitions, alongside snare drummers Tyler Smith and Jess McDonald, who also picked up prizes.

Tenor drummer, Eva Robertson, was also delighted to be among the prizes at Abernethy in her first competition.

Finally, On August 6, the City of Mount Dora Pipe Band visited Forres for the evening during their visit to Scotland. They had performed at the Newtonmore Highland Games under Pipe Major Joe McKie. After a meal in the Mosset Tavern, both bands performed together by the Mosset Burn to the delight of an appreciative crowd.

Next up for the band is the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal launch in October then Remembrance Sunday in November.