We are grateful to the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association for the following dates. Only those games with solo piping, junior or senior, are included, writes the Editor.
This guide is for the benefit of piping enthusiasts as well as competitors. Those pipers who are members of the Competing Pipers’ Association will have their own, more detailed, guide.
Those who are not, can access the RSHG website where each games has contact details listed. We would encourage all pipers and followers to get out and support the Highland Games whenever possible.
From a competing perspective there is no better way of preparing for the big contests than by having a tune at the games. From a listeners point of view you can often get close to the performance board and enjoy the music amidst unparalleled scenery.
Use them or lose them. It is quite a shock to discover that there are no less than 14 Games listed on the RSHG calendar which do not have any solo piping. We were surprised to find that Durness in the far north is marked as having no piping. This may be an error. Durness has hosted solo piping for the past several decades.
Other noticeable kilted events without solo piping (they do not deserve to be called Highland Games, do they?) are Perth and Stirling. Can the CPA do anything about this?
For convenience we have included other solo piping competitions which fall outside the Highland Games category:
Oban Festival, May 3
Gordon Castle, May 18
Atholl Gathering, May 27
Markinch, June 1
Braemar Jnrs., June 7
Strathmore, June 8
Aberdeen, June 15
Ceres, June 28
Drumtochty, June 28
Kenmore, July 2
Luss, July 5
Forres, July 5
Inverness, July 12
North Uist, July 18
Tomintoul, July 19
Taynuilt, July 19
Stonehaven, July 20
Inveraray, July 22
South Uist, July 23
Young Piper, Benbecula, July 24
Mull, July 24
Airth, July 26
Lochearnhead, July 26
Halkirk, July 26
St Andrews, July 27
Arisaig, July 30
Dornoch, Aug 1
Dundonald, Ayr, Aug 2
Inverkeithing, Aug 2
Newtonmore, Aug 2
Aboyne, Aug 2
Castle of Mey, Aug 2
Mallaig&Morar, Aug 3
Skye Gath., Aug 5/6
Silver Chanter, Aug 6
Killin, Aug 6
Aberfeldy, Aug 9
Strathpeffer, Aug 9
Tain, Aug 10
Ballater, Aug 14
Helmsdale, Aug 16
Nairn, Aug 16
Glenfinnan, Aug 16
Crieff, Aug 17
Lonach, Aug 23
Strathardle, Aug 23
Glenurquhart, Aug 23
Argyllshire Gath., Aug 27/28
Lochaber Gathering, Aug 29
Birnam, Aug 30
Braemar, Sept 6
Blairgowrie, Sept 7
Northern Meeting, Sept 11/12
Pitlochry, Sept 13
Bowhill, Sept 14
All corrections and additions welcome. Please email to editor@pipingpress.com
Hi Rab, Small correction re Highlands and Islands Festival in Oban. Piping is on Sat 3 May. Closing date is midnight tomorrow 12 April. Entry forms from HIMDF Facebook page or email pipinghimdf@gmail.com