Billy Archibald will be taking part in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow on August 16 with the Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band.

The 14-year-old snare player achieved top spot with the band's drum corps at the end of June in the juvenile grade of the British Championships in Birmingham.

And a fortnight later, while on holiday in the States with big brother Charlie, he hopped over to Vancouver and secured first individual drumming prize in the grade two North West American championship.

Billy, of aptly-named Drumacre Road, said of the forthcoming competition: "We could win it, there are 10 bands taking part and expectations are high for our corps."

Having played since the age of five, and been a member of the pipe band since 2001, success is still something that excites the Bo'ness Academy fourth year pupil.

Of the Birmingham victory, where the nine snares, two tenors and one bass drummer impressed judges with their medley, Billy said: "It was brilliant, everybody was jumping around."

There had been a nail-biting interval of some six hours between the competition entry and the announcement of winners. But feedback from the top end of the band had been positive, with the pipe major and drumming instructor pleased with their showing as soon as they rested their drumsticks.

Billy relished the chance to don his band kilt again while in Vancouver, where he was the only Scot out of a strong field.

"The trip to America was booked and my brother and I were staying with a friend in Seattle.

"She's the secretary of the Washington Scottish pipe band and told me about the Vancouver competition."

Billy added: "I had to do a march, Strathspey and reel, plus hornpipe jig.

"It was good because I was the only Scottish person in it and I was buzzing."

Having secured third place at the European Championships in Northern Ireland last weekend, the pipe band drummers are doubly determined to come back with the world crown in a fortnight.

Upbeat Billy will be cheered on by his dad Charles and brother, himself the under-18 Scottish tenor drum champion.

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