THE skirl of bagpipes will fill the air on Saturday when the Dunbar Pipe Band Championships return to Hallhill Sports Centre for the first time since 2019.

The annual event, which dates back more than 30 years, was sidelined by the Covid-19 pandemic and then by funding issues.

However, Bobby Peters, from the Dunbar sports centre, was pleased that the event was returning.

He said: “It has been a long time without it.

“Everything hinges on the weather.”

Pipe bands taking part include Preston Lodge, Dunbar Royal British Legion and bands from Burntisland and Lochgelly in Fife, as well as Tulliallan and Stirling.

A total of 23 pipe bands will be in attendance, with 38 performances.

The first performance is at 9.30am and the event comes to a close at 4.30pm.

Among those getting behind the event is Belhaven Brewery, who are co-sponsoring the musical day.

The brewery team are also set to strike the right note with piping fans by serving up samples of some of their award-winning beers from Belhaven’s popular ‘horse box’ bar.

Guests can also look forward to a sneak peek of the brand new design that has just been unveiled for the brewery’s most iconic pint, Belhaven Best.

Fiona Matheson, brand manager, is excited to share ‘new look’ Belhaven Best with the Dunbar community.

She said: "As a business that has been based in Dunbar for over three centuries, we care deeply about our local community and are very proud to be backing the return of one of our town’s most popular and vibrant events.

"The Dunbar Pipe Band Championships have always been such a great day out, and nothing goes better with a bit of world class piping than one of our award winning local beers!

"We’re also very excited to be sharing our newly branded Belhaven Best with our friends and neighbours in the Dunbar community before we roll it out around the rest of Scotland."