Winning performance at the European Championships

This was the Band’s first competitive outing after being promoted to Grade 3A at the end of 2015.

The competition is judged by four judges, two piping judges, one drumming judge, and one ensemble judge, with three of the four judges awarding the Band firsts to see them scoop the coveted William Black Memorial Cup, against a field of eight other bands.

The European Championships are the 3rd of 5 major championships in the pipe band calendar, and the pressure was on to go and perform well against bands who were building in confidence after the first two competitions, the British and the UK Championships.

Lewis Pipe Band’s Sandy Gomez said: “After playing, the Band felt that they had played well, even with what they felt was a little off their best.

“However, after the massed bands and salute to the Chieftain, Dougie Maclean, the results were read out and “Lewis” were named winners of Grade 3A, much to the delight of every Band member and the supporters who had travelled to watch the Band perform.

“There are now just six weeks until the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green, where the Band will compete again in the hopes of taking more silverware back to the Island.

“A lot of hard work goes into the practicing and organising of attending competitions, and couldn’t be done without the help of sponsors, such as Lewis Wind Power, O’Mac Construction and Lochs Motor Transport.”

Pictured are the band celebrating their win in Forres at the weekend.