King crowns his old school champions as he reigns over his first Braemar Gathering

Gordonstoun Pipers with The King and The Queen

King Charles yesterday awarded the Championship Shield for the best pipe band to students from Gordonstoun School Pipe Band during the annual Braemar Gathering.

The King, a former student of the Moray school, presented the prestigious shield to Pipe Major Scott Oliphant and students Robert Lyall and Molly Warren.

The King recently chose four pipers from Gordonstoun to pipe him into St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, when he received the Scottish Crown Jewels in July.

The Gordonstoun Pipe Band consisted of 35 students, aged 12-18 years, from countries including the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Thailand. The band performed eight times throughout the day to impress the judges.

Robert Lyall, a student at Gordonstoun and Pipe Band member, added:

“There was a great atmosphere at the Braemar Gathering, a real buzz, it is something I have been looking forward to for a while, so winning the shield and having The King present the award, especially with his connections to our school, made it all the more special and is a day I’ll remember for a long time.”

Lisa Kerr, Principal of Gordonstoun, said:

“It was such a thrill for our athletes and musicians to be back at the Braemar Gathering. Having been the last pipe band to be awarded the Championship Shield by Her Late Majesty, to be the first to receive the same trophy from King Charles was a remarkable honour. Our young drummers and pipers will long remember this very special day.”

Robert Lyall, Captain of Piping at Gordonstoun

Gordonstoun students also competed in the games in athletics.

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Caroline Overton

• Email: overtonc@gordonstoun.org.uk
• Tel: 01343 837763

ABOUT GORDONSTOUN:

Gordonstoun is a not-for-profit independent boarding school which was established in Moray, Scotland in 1934 by Dr Kurt Hahn, a Jewish exile who fled Nazi Germany. He founded the school with the ideal of developing better world citizens equipped to contribute to society. Dr Kurt Hahn was the driving force behind the Outward Bound Movement and also worked with former pupil Prince Philip to establish The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Gordonstoun has been a pioneer of character education which, as well as academic subjects, includes outdoor activities, sailing and service to the community. Three generations of British Royalty were educated at Gordonstoun including the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles. Approximately one third of the pupils at the co-educational boarding school receive financial help in order to attend. The school was described as ‘outstanding’ and ‘sector-leading’ in its most recent inspection and was voted the best boarding school in the UK in 2021.

• Website: www.gordonstoun.org.uk
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