Bagpipers from around the globe have blown into Glasgow for the World Pipe Band Championships.

More than 30,000 people attended the event, which featured 7,000 pipers from as far afield as Canada, Australia, Oman and Japan.

Northern Ireland emerged victorious with the Field Marshall Montgomery band the pick of the crop.

It claimed first place in the Grade 1 and Adult Drum Majors sections.

Alex Mosson: "Spectacular event"

Scottish pipers MacNaughton's Vale of Atholl came top in the Grade 3 A section.

More than 200 pipe bands took part in the event at Glasgow Green on Saturday.

The event has been staged every year since 1947 by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and has been held in Glasgow since 1986.

The city's Lord Provost, Alex Mosson, said "Glasgow is delighted to welcome back the pipe bands from Britain and around the globe to take part in this spectacular event.

Brilliant opportunity

"The World Pipe Band Championships gives us the opportunity to promote Glasgow internationally and is a brilliant opportunity for everyone to experience magnificent music on the Green."

Last year's event was won by the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, from Burnaby in British Columbia.

The Canadian band also won the top prize in 1995, 1996 and 1999.

A panel of adjudicators, who have to pass an exam and gain certificates of competence from the RSPBA, judged the competitions.

Two adjudicators judged piping skills, a third would concentrate on the percussion and a fourth awards marks for ensemble.