On August 30, 2025, the historic games at Birnam will celebrate its 140th anniversary, set against the backdrop of Birnam Hill and the banks of the majestic River Tay, in the heart of glorious Perthshire.
Birnam Games has always attracted a very healthy overseas element due to it being sandwiched between the Argyllshire Gathering and the Northern Meeting. Many competitors use Birnam to maintain ‘match fitness’ for Inverness. It’s also very easy to get to as it’s right on the A9 and roughly an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Piping Convenor, Stuart Letford, said: “Last year’s event saw the largest attendance in Birnam’s long history. We even sold out of programmes for the first time! The weather was outstanding and we heard some fine performances. We’re anticipating another cracking event this year.
“In the Senior competitions, at Birnam, competitors play two Marches, two Strathspeys and two Reels of their own choice. In the Jig, competitors play two Jigs, again of their own choice. In the Ceòl Mòr competition, competitors must submit three tunes. The judges will then ask them to play one of these.
“In the Junior competitions, competitors play tunes of their own choice in the MSR and in the Jig, and there is no Ceòl Mòr competition for Juniors. We would definitely like to see more Juniors at Birnam.”
The judges at Birnam will be Derek Fraser and Jack Taylor (Ceòl Mòr), Tom Johnstone and Robert Barnes (Ceòl Bèag) with Neill Mulvie adjudicating the Juniors.
The overall winner last year was Greig Canning.
Stuart added: “This year we will have a late afternoon traditional music session in the beer tent, which we’ve never had before at Birnam Games.”
Birnam Games is always held on the last Saturday of the month so this year that will be August 30th. An entry fee of £8:00 (£4:00 for children) is paid at the gate but registration thereafter is free and should be made in the Secretary’s tent. Pipers can also pre-register by emailing the Piping Convenor at stuartletford@hotmail.com
All competitors – Junior and Senior – must register by 11:00. The draw for all events will be made thereafter, with the competitions commencing at 11:45 with the Seniors’ Ceòl Mòr.
*Birnam also hosts the World Championship Haggis Eating Competition, which is free to enter.