Worlds 2026 Results: SFU Take Title after 17 Years

Simon Fraser University won the 2026 World Pipe Band Champions title today at Glasgow Green. It was P/M Alan Bevan’s first Worlds title. Runners-up were Field Marshal. 211 bands took part across all grades over two days of competition. Conditions were perfect: cool and dry. The RSPBA summary sheets showed the final totals. The Grade 1 title was earned before 16 judges. Thirteen bands competed. Grade 1 (four legs, 2 MSRs, 2…

Northern Ireland: Bands on BBC/ Ulsters/ Belfast Tattoo/ Antrim/ Big Rab

Recently there was the return of the popular series ‘The Band’ on BBC Northern Ireland television which has three episodes and should now be available on iPlayer. The series marks USA 250 by exploring the stories of people who emigrated from Northern Ireland to America and Canada and found friendship and belonging through their passion for bands.  The series follows Danielle Hamilton Cooper from Cookstown, who emigrated to Philadelphia after…

Skye Gathering 2026 Senior Results

The annual, two-day Skye Gathering piping competitions began today (Aug 4) in Portree. Twenty-eight entered for the Dunvegan Medal contest for which pipers have to submit four MacCrimmon tunes. Previous winners are excluded and play for the Col. Jock MacDonald Clasp to the medal. The winner of the 2026 medal was Angus MacPhee (pictured above with the medal, courtesy Cailean Maclean). Angus had been second in this contest for the…

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…

European Pipe Band Championships 2026 Results

The North Inch, Perth, was the venue for this year’s European Pipe Band Championships, the third major of the season. 119 bands entered. Field Marshal Montgomery were crowned Grade 1 champions. The weather was dry, warm, blustery and overcast. Grade 1 bands submitted two medleys, one chosen at the line. G2 bands two MSRs one chosen at the line; G3 one medley; Juv.: MSR. Grade 1 1 FMM2 Boghall3 SLOT4…