Features
September 2, 2026

Video: Ali Henderson on his game at the 2026 Gillies Memorial Challenge Recital

The 2026 Pipe-Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge Recital was another spectacular night of incredible musical creativity and technical brilliance by five of the world’s greatest Highland pipers. Callum Beaumont, Alasdair Henderson, Finlay Johnston, Angus D. MacColl and Connor Sinclair each performed...
News
September 1, 2026
Ozzie Reid, influential western U.S. piping leader, dies
News
September 1, 2026
2026 Raasay Restitution injects more fun and art into piping competition
News
September 1, 2026
2026 Northern Meeting the final big test for world’s top solo pipers
News
August 31, 2026
Pipe band drumming legend Wilson Young
Results
August 31, 2026
Kyle Shead wins 2026 CPA Bronze Medal
News
August 30, 2026
William Lyons, 1940-2026
Results
August 30, 2026
Bonar wins the overall at Birnam in tie with Knichel
Results
August 29, 2026
Craig Sutherland wins 2026 Captain John A. MacLellan MBE Medal
More stories
Features
August 28, 2026

Photies of Oban: images from the 2026 Argyllshire Gathering by Alister Sinclair

pipes|drums’ intrepid photographer Alister Sinclair was on the prowl on the second day of the Argyllshire...
Results
August 27, 2026

2026 Argyllshire Gathering Day 2: Duncan and Sinclair win A-Grade honours; B-Grade events: Frazer and Cameron; Jigs: Calum Watson

Results from the second day of competitions, all light music events held outdoors at a sunny and warm Mossfield Park
Results
August 26, 2026

2026 Argyllshire Gathering Day 1: McKeown wins Gold Medal; Wilson victorious in Sr. Piob; Knichel takes Silver Medal; a Former Winners MSR for Johnston; Pavlovic wins MacGregor

Results from the first of the year's major Scottish solo piping gatherings
Editorial
August 25, 2026

Opinion: It’s past time for a united UK Solo Piping Association

The UK has no unified standards for its solo piping competitions. After 200-odd years, it's high time that changed.
Exclusively for pipes|drums subscribers
From the archives
Features
December 15, 2020
Doctors of piping: Top physician-pipers on pipe bands’ return from COVID-19 – Part 2 (video)
We continue our illuminating and frank discussion with four leaders with both musical and medical perspectives
This day in history
September 3, 1921
G.S. McLennan takes 3 firsts, Aboyne games.
OUR MOST RECENT VIDEOS

Ali Henderson - 2026 PM Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge Recital

Pipers march to the 2026 Argyllshire Gathering park

Opinion: It's past time for a united UK Solo Piping Association

Callum Beaumont - 2026 PM Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge Recital

Upcoming events
Haylodge Park, Peebles | September 5, 2026

Peebles Highland Games

Chatsworth, England | September 6, 2026
Chatsworth Country Fair
Recreation Ground, Ferry Road, Pitlochry, Scotland | September 12, 2026
Pitlochry Highland Games
Lusk National School, Co. Dublin | September 26, 2026
All Ireland & JAC Solo Piping & Drumming Championships
Junior Ranks Mess, 149 Somerset St W., Ottawa | September 26, 2026
The Glengarry Cup
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POLL

How much does it matter to you that someone judging you or your band is accredited with an association?

  • Essential. I won't be judged by unaccredited people.
  • Important. But I'd probably still play.
  • Not too important. Accreditation doesn't mean much.
  • Unimportant. The only thing that matters is their history of competition success.
  • I don't compete, solo or band
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