The United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships will be held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Saturday, 13 June 2026.
Securing the fifth major is a significant success for the RSPBA and its Chief Executive Colin Mulhearn and his team. They had come under criticism for not fulfilling the statutory number of championships in 2025, and until now only four had been announced for 2026.
These are: British Championships, Ingliston, May 30; European Championships June 27, Scottish Championships, July 25, and the Worlds, August14/15, Glasgow.
The addition of the UKs on June 13 means there will be a fortnight between the first three championships. The traditional July gap in the calendar, which allows for holidays and other band commitments, is restored. This year’s UKs were held on July 12 at Ingliston.
Grove Playing Fields, known locally as ‘The Grove’, is a 20-acre public park north of the city centre, a short drive from Belfast port and the city airport. It is an award winning park with plenty of open space grass and tree cover.
Mr Mulhern, said: ‘We are delighted to be preparing to welcome competitors, supporters and spectators to Grove Playing Fields on Saturday, 13 June 2026. The UK Championships are a flagship event for the global piping, drumming and drum major community.’
Sponsors are Belfast City Council and the Ulster-Scots Agency. USA Chief Executive, Ian Crozier said: ‘Pipe bands are an incredibly important part of Ulster-Scots culture and we are delighted to have secured the 2026 UK Championships for Belfast and Northern Ireland. Our local pipe band scene is the strongest in the world outwith Scotland.’
Andrew Graham, Chairman of the RSPBA NI Branch said: ‘This is a magnificent achievement and as the local branch we look forward to assisting in the delivery the event. This will be a boost to the local economy and will showcase what Northern Ireland and Belfast city has to offer by way of musical excellence and hospitality.’
Pittsburgh Piping Society along with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) will host the 4th Annual Jimmy McIntosh MBE Piobaireachd Workshop from February 20-22, 2026. The workshop will be held at the university, writes Andrew Carlisle.
Pipers of all competitive grades are welcome, the only requirement is that each attendee can play at least one piobaireachd. Members of the public may register as ‘observers only’.
The weekend begins on Friday at 7:30pm with a gathering of the Pittsburgh Piping Society at a local restaurant where pipers of all abilities will perform. Workshop instructor Mike Cusack will be the featured piper. Minors should be accompanied by a parent.
On Saturday Mike, Nick Hudson, and myself will lead masterclass and classroom instruction. Saturday’s session concludes with performances from this year’s Jimmy McIntosh MBE Scholarship recipient, Peter Liu. He will play two new piobaireachd he has been studying since June this year as taught by myself and Mike.
Sunday morning will conclude the workshop with classes from 9:30-12:30, again at Carnegie Mellon University. Individuals must arrange their own travel and accommodation. There are many hotels and Airbnb’s close to CMU. The closest airport is Pittsburgh International.
Cost for the weekend workshop is $150 for participants, and Saturday lunch is included. For more information and to register visit www.pittsburghpipingsociety.org.
Pittsburgh Piping Society is the charitable organisation which facilitates the Jimmy McIntosh MBE Piobaireachd Scholarship. Myself, Palmer Shonk and Nick Hudson founded the Society in 2014 as a venue for pipers of all abilities and backgrounds to perform.
MacCrimmon Piobaireachd, the Classic Tunes
Download a complete tune played in full on the practice chanter by ceol mor expert Robert Wallace. By using circular breathing he is able to demonstrate the linking of lines, variations and phrases so vital to good piobaireachd delivery. These tunes are all associated with the great MacCrimmon family, hereditary pipers to MacLeod of Dunvegan. Most are suitable for the piping competitions at the Skye Gathering such as the Dunvegan Medal and Clasp. Recordings may sometimes vary slightly from the printed score…
