TWO pipers from the Borders have plenty to blow about after becoming World champions at the weekend.

Grant Munro and James Gill were part of the triumphant Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band that upset the odds to win the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.

A total of 230 bands from 16 different nations, including New Zealand, Canada, USA, Oman and Malaysia, competed on Glasgow Green over the weekend.

And after a thrilling day’s Grade One competition the World title finally came back to Scotland after a 10-year drought.

Grant, 27, who is a garage manager in Selkirk, and 20-year-old hospital caterer James from Galashiels both joined the band three years ago.

James told us: “I didn’t know Grant was going to Shotts and we both arrived at the same time for auditions - we’ve been travelling together ever since.

“We knew we were playing well going into the World’s but it still came as a surprise when we won.

“The best bands in the world are there but we knew we had a chance after doing well in the medley.

“After we’d played we just went for a pint and tried to stay calm - it was really nerve-wracking. When they announced us as the winners everyone went wild.

“It was a great feeling and one that I won’t forget.” Amongst the 40,000-strong crowd over the two days was James’ dad, John, and his girlfriend, Lisa Kimber. And Grant’s parents, Johnny and Jean Munro, were also cheering on the pipers and drummers of Shotts.

Johnny said: “The band has improved over the past three years and we were quietly confident that they would do well.

“It was a fantastic feeling when the result was announced.” Grant began his playing career with his hometown band in Selkirk before progressing through the grades with Tweedvale and Fife Police.

James moved to the Scottish Borders band after learning his trade with Galashiels Ex Service Band.

Drew Ness from Galashiels Ex Service Pipe Band was one of James’ tutors, along with Bruce Hastie, during his youth. He said: “James has been a very talented player ever since he picked up the bagpipes.

“I could teach him the theory and discipline but he had something beyond all the others - he was a natural.” Both James and Grant were also coached by John Connor from Peebles, who was with Shotts when they last won the World Championships.

Pipe Major Ryan Canning arrived at Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia three years ago from the then World Champions, Field Marshall Montgomery of Northern Ireland.

And it was his former band who were looking to win the World title for the fifth year in a row.

Despite the 10-year hiatus since Shotts last took the title, they have lifted the trophy on 15 previous occasions since 1948.

Hawick Pipe Band finished 11th in the Grade 4 competition, while Scottish Borders Pipe Band were 13th in Grade 3 and Tweedvale Pipe Band 12th.