THE Scots PGC College pipe band students took some tips from the experts as they were visited by world-class performers Stuart Liddell, Kyle Warren and Tyler Fry at school yesterday.

Stuart Liddell is from Inveraray in Scotland, and is recognised as one of the top competitive solo pipe players in the world today.

"I love the enthusiasm of the students here," he said.

"They are so willing to soak all information up - it's great.

"It's important that they are keeping it fun."

Mr Liddell said he encouraged aspiring pipers to keep practising.

"The hardest thing is picking up the instrument in the first place," he said.

"You've also got to look for cool tunes.

"Keep challenging yourself and most of all, enjoy what you do."

Things taught by the pros yesterday included a mixture of different Scottish piping and drumming concepts.

"It's a wee bit of technique and a wee bit of marching," Mr Liddell said.

"We will try to play some tunes together and keep it light-hearted."

Fellow guest Kyle Warren is from Helensburgh in Scotland, and is a current piper of the World Champions, as well as a tutor and member of the renowned Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

He said he was looking forward to sharing his knowledge with the kids.

"It's a great chance for them to get a lot done in a short space of time," he said.

"They are at that impressionable age where they learn everything so quickly.

"It's also nice for me to teach in the sunshine instead of rainy Scotland."

Mr Warren advised the students that getting to the top of the business was not easy.

"You have got to work hard and be prepared to sacrifice a few things," he said.

"It's very competitive, but the sky is the limit.

"You can travel worldwide and go to all sorts of different places."

Southern Downs Regional Council CEO Andrew Roach, who has also competed both nationally and internationally as a piper, organised the visit.

"I was lucky enough when I was their age to be exposed to the great exponents of Scottish music when growing up," he said.

"I wanted to take the opportunity to have three world- class musicians here to help the Scots PGC College students.

"It was a great success and I think the kids got a lot out of it.

"Piping is a great tradition within this area; we are hoping that they can come out to visit again next year."