St Ninian's pupils making the right Connections

The musical youngsters scooped first place in the ScottishPower powerful performance competition beating off entries from schools across the country.

The ceilidh band wowed judges with their version of the High Road to Linton and now have the opportunity to showcase their talents at the international festival.

Siobhan McArdle, fifth year pupil, plays the violin and has been in the group since she started at the Giffnock school.

She told The Extra: "It feels amazing to be picked as the winning group. We're really excited about performing.

"Celtic Connections is such an amazing festival and it will be an honour to perform during it".

The musicians will play at the Royal Concert Hall on January 29 as part of the final education concert and also on the Danny Kyle open stage competition.

Celtic Connections is one of the biggest folk, roots and traditional music festivals in the world.

Music teacher Jenny McGarvey has taught the band for the last three years. She told The Extra: "They have worked so hard all year and it has really paid off.

"I am very proud of them and it is a fantastic thing for them to achieve".

The competition invited Scottish high school youngsters to submit a short recording of traditional music using instruments, vocals, or a mixture of both.

One of the judges, ScottishPower group sponsorships manager Heather McDonald, said: "We'd like to congratulate St Ninian's ceilidh band for its fantastic version of the High Road to Linton.

"We received an amazing range of entries and it was difficult to narrow the seven finalists down to one.

"What a fantastic start to the New Year for the pupils and teachers and we hope they enjoy performing at the festival later this month".

John Docherty, headteacher, added: "I'm very proud of our talented, young, traditional musicians who've shown just what they can do against stiff opposition.

"I know they'll benefit enormously from their very valuable Celtic Connections experience".