The Glenfiddich Champion for 2019 is Finlay Johnston, successfully defending his 2018 title. He was placed second in ceol mor and second in MSR to take the overall title. Runner-up overall was Connor Sinclair in his first appearance at this competition, with Glenn Brown in third. The annual competition was held as usual in the Great Hall at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Perthshire. Those unable to travel to the event were able to watch it on a livestream over the internet.
Piobaireachd placings:
1 Glenn Brown, Farewell to the Queen’s Ferry
2 Finlay Johnston, Donald Gruamach’s March
3 Iain Speirs, Scarce of Fishing
4 Jack Lee, Lament for the Laird of Anapool
5 Connor Sinclair
MSR placings:
1 Connor Sinclair
2 Finlay Johnston
3 Niall Stewart
4 Callum Beaumont
5 Stuart Liddell
Invited pipers were: Calllum Beaumont, Glenn Brown, Andrew Hayes, Finlay Johnston, Jack Lee, Stuart Liddell, Gordon McCready, Connor Sinclair, Iain Speirs, Niall Stewart
Ceol Mor Judges: P Henderson, C MacLellan, S Samson
Ceol Beag Judges: M Henderson, A MacDonald, J Wilson
Points are awarded in each discipline and the piper with most declared champion. Pipers had to submit six piobaireachd and six marches strathspeys and reels of their own choice. The competition is sponsored by the William Grant Foundation.
Balvenie Medal for services to piping: Anne Spalding, Carnoustie.
In reply to the previous comment, An overall champion is an accepted accolade in many competitive domains, e.g. Olympic sports, numerous musical competitions (of all instruments) and a significant number of other competitive activities. In situations where there are multiple aspects to a performance e.g. pentathlon, piano competitions, solo or pipe band events, or even football league systems, the fundamental question is who has displayed the most consistent performance across all sub-categories or individual events. It would not be pragmatic or helpful to have multiple world champions in any contest i.e. 1 champion for every single sub-category. The tried and tested system in many many different areas is to aggregate scores and reach a final conclusion. Not to do so would lower the recognition of sustained excellent performance, both within the specific competitive community and to the world at large. Specifically with solo piping, the difference between a 1st place and a 2nd or 3rd place for example can be so subjective and negligible, and it is right that scores are combined for an overall winner
As an economist, I have always had difficulty accepting aggregation of sub categories. How can anyone be an overall winner when they won neither of the events for which they have gained the title of champion?
Two winners? Yes
An overall champion? No