The Scottish Youth Championships took place in Perth on the weekend where the future of the nation's banding community showcased their talents in full.

There were plenty of fantastic performances to enjoy — from the tiny tots of the Preparatory Section up to the Blue Riband Premier level.

European qualification

And there were not just domestic honours up for grabs either, as the Borders Youth Band led by the inspirational Alan Fernie claimed first place in the Senior Section to earn the right to represent the nation at the 2017 European Youth Brass Band Championships in Ostend.

Nine great ensembles kicked off the weekend in the Preparatory Section where the brilliant players of Campbeltown Brass 12 & Under led the way under Katrina Barr, whilst the Novice Section also saw the honours wing their way back to the west coast as Campbeltown Junior Band under Gordon Evans MBE took the leading Gold Award.

Perc stars

There won't be any shortage of percussion stars in the Midlothian area in the near future as both the Midlothian Percussion Ensemble and the Midlothian Training Percussion Ensemble led by Barbara Waddell claimed Gold Awards.

Meanwhile, there was an excellent standard of performance to enjoy in the Development Section, where no less than six bands hit the Gold standard — led by Riverside Youth Band conducted by Mark Good.

Fine form

In the Senior Section there was that success for the Scottish Borders Youth Band as they can now look forward to that trip to Ostend in 2017, whilst it was good to see one of the nation's most respected youth set-ups once again back to fine form as West Lothian Schools Band claimed a Silver Award as the sole entrant in the Premier Section.

the Borders Youth Band led by the inspirational Alan Fernie claimed first place in the Senior Section to earn the right to represent the nation at the 2017 European Youth Brass Band Championships in Ostend4BR

Results:

Preparatory Section:

Adjudicators: Alastair Orr and Raymond Tennant

1. Campbeltown Brass 12 & Under (Katrina Barr) — Gold
2. Perth and Kinross Junior (William McMullan) — Gold
3. Coalburn Bronze (David Fehilly) — Silver

Silver:

Argyll Brass Roots (Darren Tarn)
Campbeltown Brass Beginners (Katrina Barr)
St David's Budding Brass (Ben Keay)
Whitburn Wee Band (Charlie Farren)

Bronze:

Gorbals Youth Band (Lauren McCormick)
Hawick Saxhornettes (Alan Fernie)

Novice Section:

Adjudicators: Alastair Orr and Raymond Tennant

1. Campbeltown Junior Band (Gordon Evans MBE) — Gold
2. Galashiels Junior Band (Stuart Black) — Silver
3. Abbey Brass (Stuart Black) — Silver

Silver:

Dynamica (Arlene McFarlane)

Bronze:

Irvine and Dreghorn Youth (John Boax)

Percussion:

Adjudicator: Alasdair Rankin

1. Midlothian Percussion Ensemble (Barbara Waddell) — Gold
2. Midlothian Training Percussion Ensemble (Barbara Waddell) — Gold
3. Perth & Kinross Schools Percussion (Lynsey Paterson) — Silver

Development:

Adjudicators: Raymond Tennant and Alastair Orr

1. Riverside Youth Band (Mark Good) — Gold
2. Levern Valley Community Brass (Brian Deans) — Gold
3. Arbroath Instrumental Youth Band (Robert McDonald) — Gold

Gold:

Galashiels Youth Band (Stuart Black) — Gold
Loanhead Brass Youth (Alan Fernie) — Gold
St Ronan's Future Band (David Robb) — Gold

Silver:

Argyll Brass (Darren Tarn) — Silver
Bathgate Youth Band (Andy Shaw) — Silver
Eastern Borders Schools Band (Graeme Kennedy) — Silver
Kirkintilloch Youth Band (Rachel Neil) — Silver
Perthshire Youth Brass (David Finlay) — Silver

Bronze:

Penicuik Junior Band (Stuart Black) — Bronze
St David's Youth Band (John Dickson) — Bronze

Senior:

Adjudicators: Russell Gray and Sandy Smith

1. Scottish Borders Youth Band (Alan Fernie) — Gold
2. Carnoustie & District Youth (Michael Robertson) — Gold
3. Tullis Russell Youth Band (Dean Bromage) — Silver
4. Whitburn Youth Band (Caroline Farren) — Silver

Premier:

Adjudicators: Russell Gray and Sandy Smith

1. West Lothian Schools Band (Anne Crookston) — Silver