By ROBIN GIBSON
The Glasgow Highland Club Schools Competition is held early in the year, and is a perfect opportunity for young pipers, drummers and school bands to perform in a friendly but competitive environment before the main competition season begins. The event will take place at Hutchesons’ Grammar School, 21 Beaton Road, Glasgow G41 4NW, on Sunday 22nd February 2026.
Outstanding Prizes, Prestigious Trophies and Incredible Opportunities
Entry is free, and Scottish school bands and individual competitors are warmly invited.
Thanks to exceptional sponsor support, we are able to offer some of the strongest prize packages of any youth piping & drumming event in Scotland—including a full set of McCallum Bagpipes for the Junior Piping winner.
Transport Support Available
We recognise travel costs can be a barrier, especially for schools coming from further afield. Thanks to our sponsors, limited bus support is available. Please contact Don Glass (dmrhglass@hotmail.com), project manager, to discuss options.
Full details of the Competitions and online entry are available at:
https://glasgowhighlandclub.co.uk/competitions/schools-pipe-band-and-individual-competitions-2026/
Entries close on Friday 23 January 2026. [Note: Pipers and Drummers not with a school band, or have left school and are under 18 years on February 22, 2026, may also enter the individual competitions.]
Spectators: spectators are very welcome and a considerable cohort of parents, supporters and followers of pipe band events attend each year. The band contest begins at 10.00am, solo competitions start at 1.00pm, and Massed Bands and prize giving is usually around 4.00pm. A printed programme is available to guide you through the day, including lists of all the competition draws. Refreshments are available from the School dining facility.
Key Highlights for 2026
Band Competitions
- Senior Bands – Compete for the coveted Highland Shield plus an additional prize, to be announced.
- Intermediate Bands – Trophies plus a visit to the Army School of Bagpipe Music & Highland Drumming
- Junior Bands – Trophies plus a visit to McCallum Bagpipes
- Trophies awarded for 1st & 2nd place, plus Best Drum Corps in each grade
Solo Competitions
- Senior Pipers – Trophy + the Glasgow Highland Club Medal + free lesson with Gold Medallist John Wilson
- Intermediate Pipers – Trophy + free lesson with Roddy MacLeod MBE (Gold Medallist)
- Junior Pipers – Trophy + David Kettlewell Memorial Medal + free lesson with Roddy MacLeod MBE (Gold Medallist) + A SET OF McCALLUM BAGPIPES (major new prize for 2026)
- Senior & Junior Drummers – Trophies and a range of attractive sponsor prizes
- Certificates awarded for 1st to 6th place in every solo category
With prizes like these, there is huge incentive for both experienced performers and developing players to take part.
Adjudicators have been asked to give positive critique and feedback during judging of both Band and Solo performances. Their marking sheets will be available to respective adult instructors at the close of the prize giving.
Competition Structure – outline (full details on website)
Band Grades
- Senior Grade – suitable for Juvenile-level bands
- Intermediate Grade – suitable for bands with competition experience / Novice Juvenile A
- Junior Grade – suitable for development bands / Novice Juvenile B / new competitors
Solo Piping & Drumming
- Senior piping – MSR (4 parts each), over 16
- Intermediate piping – 4-part 2/4 March, age 14–16
- Junior piping – 8 parts of any march tempo, under 14
- Senior drumming – MSR (4 parts each), age 15+
- Junior drumming – 4-part March, under 15
If you have any questions about the competition, or if you would like to discuss bus support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with pur project manager Donald Glass.
Finally, The Glasgow Highland Club is very grateful to our sponsors for their support to the event:
- McCallum Bagpipes
- Kingdom Thistle Pipe Band Supplies
- R G Hardie Bagpipes
- Kerr McQuillan Drumming
- McGill’s Buses
- Tunnock’s
- Scottish Building Society
- Scottish Stove Centre
Donald Glass, Project Manager
dmrhglass@hotmail.com