Not many young musicians can claim to have played for superstar footballers Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
But that was the honour handed to members of Oban High School Pipe Band as the world-famous Barcelona players made their way to Celtic Park last night.
Four of the group were asked to pipe in the Barcelona team bus when it arrived at the stadium in Glasgow’s east end for the crucial Champions League showdown.
Roddy MacIsaac, secretary of Oban No1 Celtic Supporters Club, said: “Barcelona are the best team in Europe in many people’s opinion, to be asked to be part of this cavalcade is a really big deal.
“There will be 60,000 people at the game, it will be watched all over the world and the Oban pipers will be piping Barcelona up to the stadium.
“This all came about because three years ago Celtic put some money into Oban High School to generate an interest in traditional music.
“Celtic have 15 schools on the music programme and will hopefully put more money into Oban in the future.”
The school was taking a minibus to the game, with band members being offered free tickets, or concert tickets for those not keen on football.
The traditional music group and pipers had played at a number of events in Glasgow yesterday.
Members of the band performed for delegates from Barcelona FC, UEFA and Celtic at Clydeport in the afternoon before playing at Croftcroighn Primary School.
At the school they spoke to the pupils and told them about their instruments and Oban.
Croftcroighn Primary School is purpose built to meet the needs of children with complex additional support needs, including cognitive, sensory, communication and physical impairments from P1 to P7.
Celtic hosted Spanish champions Barcelona last night in a Group C match in the Champions League, with the Glasgow giants seeking revenge after being thrashed 7-0 by them in Catalonia in September.
