Worlds Draw Announced as Numbers Exceed 2025

The RSPBA has confirmed the entry of 211 bands for this year’s World Pipe Band Championships to be held in Glasgow over two days, August 14/15. Last year we had 202 bands. This year there are entrants from all pipe-playing regions of the world. The uptick is a significant achievement for the Association which has been criticised for the arrangements at major championships this year and last. Chief Executive Colin…

Clean Sweep for SLOT at All Irelands

On Saturday past, the 79th All-Ireland Pipe Band & Drum Major Championships took place at St Catherine’s Park in the village of Lucan, County Dublin. While there was a strong wind blowing across the arenas in the morning, it became quite pleasant and warm as the day went on. The big winners were St Laurence O’Toole (pictured top) who claimed their 9th Grade 1 title, pushing Field Marshal Montgomery into…

Editor’s Notebook: Glass Chanter/ Band Medleys/ Judging Proposal/ SPA Dates/ Schools Jobs

Can anyone stop Angus MacPhee winning his third Glass Chanter in a row? Angus is pictured above after his 2025 win. The Chanter and £200 is awarded to the piper with most points from wins on the northern Highland Games circuit. The journey to the prestigious award begins a week tomorrow (July 11) at Inverness Highland Games. There then follows a succession of qualifying events at Durness (July 24), Halkirk…

‘Beyond Highland Cathedral’ – Inspiring Pipers Gathering in New South Wales

Grafton District Services Club Pipe Band, New South Wales, hosted a piping get together entitled ‘Beyond Highland Cathedral’ on Saturday, June 13th. The meeting was inspired by those held a generation ago 100 miles away in Tenterfield NSW by the MacCabe family, writes Alastair McInnes. Many in Scotland will remember Lachlan McCabe and his brother who went round the games in the 80s. About 50 enthusiasts, pipers and drummers, enjoyed…

RSPBA Chief Executive Confirms Five Majors for 2027

RSPBA Chief Executive Officer Colin Mulhern has confirmed that all five major pipe band championships are in place for 2027. This includes the Worlds at Glasgow Green. And Mr Mulhern forcefully scotched all rumours circulating of a fallout between the Association and Worlds promoters Glasgow Life. Mr Mulhern took time out from his busy day at the European Pipe Band Championships in Perth to talk to Piping Press about this…