The Northern Ireland Piper of the year competition took place in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena, on Saturday 27th September 2025, writes Ken Stewart.
Adjudicators were Logan Tannock and David Caldwell. Pictured above (l-r) with their trophies are winners James Stone, Andrew Nelson and James Frazer. Results as follows:
Piobaireachd:
1 Ashley McMichael, MacFarlane’s Gathering
2 Kris Coyle, Lament for the Viscount of Dundee
3 Alastair Donaghy, Massacre of Glencoe
MSR:
1 James Frazer, 91st at Modder River, Hugh Kennedy, John Roy Stewart, Dora MacLeod, Lochcarron, Fiona MacLeod
2 Kris Coyle, Braes of Brecklet, Capt. Campbell of Drumavoisk, Bob o’ Fettercairn, Susan MacLeod. Bessie MacIntyre, Drumlithie
3 Scott Wallace, David Ross of Rosehall, Mrs Duncan McFadyen, Shepherd’s Crook, Ewe Wi’ the Crookit Horn, Rejected Suitor, Alick C MacGregor
H&J: 1 James Stone, Johnny the Tree Wrecker, Mrs Sarah Moan 2 James Frazer
Overall and Piper of the Year: Kris Coyle. Best Junior: Andrew Nelson. Judge Logan Tannock commented: ‘A good competition with excellent bagpipes and most of them held all the way through.
‘Special mention to James Stone who played a very strong MM/SS/RR but sadly had a little stutter in the last phrase of the second march (you could almost hear the groan from the audience), but went on and completed an otherwise fine performance.
‘It was a long day with a late finish but very rewarding. A pity that some of the prizewinners were not there at the end to get their trophies.’
Caritas Banner 2025
We are pleased to announce that entries for the Caritas Banner are now open, writes Ben Duncan. The competition, aimed at promoting the study and performance of piobaireachd in young pipers will run for its third year on Sunday, 30th November 2025 at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh.
There are categories to suit most young players, which are as follows:
14 & Under Urlar and Variation (own choice)
14 & Under Piobaireachd (own choice)
18 & Under Piobaireachd (submit two tunes)
There are beautiful silver quaichs, kindly donated by our Watsonian donors, for places 1st to 3rd, six prizes in each event and the winner of the 18 & Under Piobaireachd will also receive the coveted Caritas Banner kindly presented by the Piobaireachd Society. We are once again generously sponsored by Kintail Bagpipes.
This is a really great opportunity for young pipers to perform our classical music to a receptive audience and to some of the most reputable adjudicators in the business. The event continues to grow in popularity among budding young players, attracting 55 pipers last year from across the country. Entries are via the QR code on the flyer or by this link.
