PALS of murdered piper Craig Hepburn paid tribute to him at their first competition since his death.
The popular 19-year-old from Linwood, near Paisley, was fatally stabbed during a weekend trip to Marsden earlier this month.
Craig, who played with First Scottish Milngavie Pipe Band, had entertained locals in Marsden with his bagpipes hours before the tragedy unfolded.
Alastair Graham, secretary for First Scottish Milngavie Pipe Band, said the band played for Craig at the Paisley pipe bands’ competition.
He said: “Before we started, the pipe major said to the band, ‘I’ve got two words I want to say to you, Craig Hepburn’ and that got everyone fired up.
“It was difficult for the band. It’s the first competition since Craig died and it’s his home competition as well.
“We picked up two trophies and did it all for Craig. They played out of their skin for the boy.”
Craig was a keen piper, having first picked up the bagpipes in 2005. He was a member of Paisley Novice Juvenile Pipe Band before he joined the Milngavie Pipe Band last October.
Gordon Hamill, the chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, announced it beforehand so everyone knew what was happening.
He said: “Everyone was very respectful. Craig’s brother Andy and his mum and dad Alex and Caroline were there.
“At the end we got Andy to lead the band off with the two trophies which was a nice touch.
“He’s not a member of the band but he’s been coming for a while and I’m sure he’ll become a member eventually.”
Anthony David Driver, 36, and Luke Aaron Elliott, 21, appeared at Leeds Crown Court last week charged with murdering Mr Hepburn.They have been remanded in custody.
