Whitburn crowned Scottish Champions
It was a double delight for MD Prof Nicholas Childs, who followed up his win in the Yorkshire Regional with Black Dyke last weekend with a second victory today in Perth with the mighty Whitburn. Adjudicators David Barringer and Alan Fernie agreed that Whitburn’s performance of Derek Bourgeois’ ‘Diversions’ was a superb account, not only deserving of the title, but also a plethora of other special awards including: Best Soprano (Scott Forrest), Best Principal Cornet (Chris Bradley), Best Bass (Graham Fraser), Best Bass Section and Best Percussion Section.
In a statement on social media the band expressed their delight at the result stating, “The band is delighted to have won the Scottish Championships. Congratulations to our conductor Professor Nicholas Childs and Chris Shanks, who helped to prepare the band. Well done to our players who also won individual/sectional awards and Congratulations to all the prize winners.” Whitburn has also won an invitation to represent Scotland at the 2026 European Championships in Linz.
Joining Whitburn at the Royal Albert Hall in October will be second placed the cooperation band, whose excellent performance under the guidance of Dr Glenn Van Looy was only one point away from the top spot.
Making their way to the lower section National Finals in Cheltenham later this year will be winners Granite City Brass, Perthshire Brass, Renfrew Burgh and Arbroath & Carnoustie. Joining them will be fellow qualifiers: Newtongrange Silver, Jedforest Instrumental, St Ronan's Silver and Stranraer Brass. Full results are below.
Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicators: David Barringer and Alan Fernie
1. Whitburn (Prof Nicholas Childs): 196**
2. the cooperation band (Dr Glenn Van Looy): 195*
3. Kingdom Brass (Katrina Marzella Wheeler): 194
4. Bon-Accord Silver (Adam Cooke): 192
5. Dalmellington (Andrew Duncan): 191
6. Coalburn Silver (Gareth Bowman): 190
7. Bo'ness & Carriden (Phil Chalk): 189
8. Kirkintilloch Band (Hedley Benson): 188
9. Bathgate (Craig Anderson): 187
10. Kirkintilloch Kelvin (Mareika Gray): 186
** Qualify for National Final and to represent Scotland at 2026 European Championships in Linz
* Qualify for National Final
Best Soprano: Scott Forrest (Whitburn)
Best Principal Cornet: Chris Bradley (Whitburn)
Best Flugel: Sarah Findlay (Kingdom Brass)
Best Horn: Chris Hamilton (the cooperation band)
Best Baritone: Carole Edney (the cooperation band)
Best Euphonium: Chris Flynn (the cooperation band)
Best Trombone: Joshua Parkhill (Dalmellington)
Best Bass: Graham Fraser (Whitburn)
Best Bass Section: Whitburn
Best Percussion Section: Whitburn
First Section:
Adjudicators: David Barringer and Mark Wilkinson
1. Granite City Brass (Bruce Wallace): 195*
2. Newtongrange Silver (Anne Crookston): 194*
3. Newmains & District (Paul McKelvie OBE) : 193
4. Newmilns & Galston (Alan Friel): 192
5. Kinneil (Allan Ramsay): 191
6. Lochgelly (Chris Shanks): 190
7. Dalkeith & Monktonhall (James Chamberlain): 188
8. Dunaskin Doon (Ralph Brill): 187
9. Clackmannan District (Paul Drury): 185
10. Johnstone (Joshua Parkhill): 184
Best Instrumentalist: Lewis Cato (euphonium) — Granite City Brass
Best Horn: Ben Williams (Granite City Brass)
*Qualify for National Final
Second Section:
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson and David Barringer
1. Perthshire Brass (Willie McMullan): 194*
2. Jedforest Instrumental (Philip Rosier): 192*
3. Irvine & Dreghorn (Helen Douthwaite Teasdale): 191
4. Croy Silver (Kenneth Blackwood): 190
5. Campbeltown Brass (Andrew McMillan): 188
6. Broxburn & Livingston (Bryan Allen): 186
7. Annan Town (Lewis Wilkinson): 185
8. Shotts St Patrick's (Charlie Farren): 184
9. St David's Brass (John A Dickson): 183
10. Tullis Russell Mills (John-Luke Harris): 182
11. Kilmarnock Concert Brass (Rebecca Wilson Paterson): 181
Best Instrumentalist: Stuart Black (flugel) — Jedforest Instrumental
*Qualify for National Final
Third Section:
Adjudicators: Alan Fernie and Stan Lippeatt
1. Renfrew Burgh (Mark Good): 190*
2. St Ronan's Silver (Michael Marzella): 188*
3. Highland Brass (Mark Bell): 186
4. Langholm Town (Chris Bradley): 184
5. Peebles Burgh (David McAuley): 183
6. Selkirk Silver (Stuart Black): 182
7. Brass Sounds Inverclyde (Alistair Gibson): 181
8. Dysart Colliery (Robert Fraser): 180
9. Buckhaven & Methil Miners (Steven Craig): 179
10. Bon-Accord B (Harry Marshall): 178
Best Instrumentalist: Shona Jones (flugel) — Renfrew Burgh
*Qualify for National Final
Fourth Section:
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson and Stan Lippeatt
1. Arbroath & Carnoustie (Neill McDonald): 185*
2. Stranraer Brass (Angela Miller): 183*
3. Whitburn Heartlands (Peter Holmes): 182
4. Kirkton Brass Bathgate (Paul McKelvie OBE): 181
5. Coalburn Intermediate (Gareth Bowman): 180
6. Hawick Saxhorn (Andrew Holland): 179
7. Dundee Instrumental (Bob McDonald): 178
8. Pencuik Silver (Jess Purbrick): 177
9. Dunfermline City Brass (Stephen Duncan): 176
10. Turriff Silver (Matt Bailey): 175
11. MacTaggart Scott Loanhead (Amy Paterson): 174
Best Instrumentalist: Euphonium (Stranraer Brass)
Youngest Player: Bb tuba — Arbroath & Carnoustie (aged 12)
*Qualify for National Final
Non-Contesting:
Section 4B
Adjudicator: Mark Good
Brass Central Strathearn (Tom Smith)
Barrhead Burgh (Alan Friel)
Clackmannan District Youth & Development Brass (Luci Lamb)
Forfar Instrumental (Donald Innes)
Stranraer Instrumental Training (Angela Miller)
