Pupils from across Lanarkshire got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit New York City last week, thanks to help from UK Steel Enterprise.

A total of 51 pupils make up the North Lanarkshire Schools’ Pipe Band; the current novice Scottish, British and European pipe band champions. Thanks to their successes, the band was invited to Manhattan, NYC to perform at the highly-anticipated Tartan Day parade.

UKSE provided the band with a grant towards travel and accommodation costs.

The annual Tartan Day parade, which runs up Sixth Avenue, celebrates all things Scottish, with pipers, drummers and highland dancers travelling from all over the world to take part. Held on Saturday 6th April 2019, the parade recognised the contribution Scots made to the USA and was attended by representatives from the Scottish Government. The Lanarkshire team joined over 3,000 performers, including the Up Helly Aa Jarl Squad, Elite Pro Dance from Edinburgh and Kirkwall City Pipe Band.

This year, Sir Billy Connolly took on the role of Grand Marshall and led the procession through the city that never sleeps.

Jim Park, head of music instruction at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “I couldn’t be any prouder of the young people at North Lanarkshire Schools’ Pipe Band. Thanks to their tireless dedication, commitment and hard work, they have gone from strength to strength, being recognised by piping experts around the world.

“Being asked to perform in New York is such a huge honour, and we’d like to thank all of our sponsors for making this possible for us. Without the help from UKSE, we wouldn’t be able to send all 51 band members to the Big Apple and take part in such a special day.”

Anne Clyde, regional manager at UK Steel Enterprise, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to help NL Schools’ Pipe Band experience such an exciting opportunity. It’s fantastic to see such a talented group of young people globally recognised for their music.”