Results fron the Lochaber Junior Piping and Drumming Competition 2026

By Angus Nicolson Chairman, Lochaber Piping Society.

Despite a biting wind with frequent and heavy wintery showers, a good crowd made the journey to Fort William and gathered at Bun-Sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Abar on Saturday, March 28, for Lochaber Piping Society’s annual junior piping and drumming competition. 

There was a strong entry this year, with competitors travelling from as far afield as Aberdeen, Stenhousemuir and Glasgow. Islands were well represented too with entries from Skye, Mull, South Uist and Barra. After many years of slow decline in the number of local entries, we were delighted to see an increase this year. Credit must go to the enthusiasm and hard work of recently appointed school’s instructor, Angus Binnie. All at Lochaber Piping Society wish him every success in his new role. 

An experienced team of adjudicators were on hand for the day. Jon Don MacKenzie, DJ MacIntyre, Les Hutt and Moira Robertson for piping/chanter classes and Brian Graham for drumming. All piping judges invited to attend were SPJA accredited. The judges praised a high standard of playing across all events, and as always praised the hospitality too. Isabel MacPhee did a fabulous job of keeping everyone fed and watered and thanks must also go to Isabel and Linda Campbell at Caol Community Centre for providing a selection of delicious soups. 

The society would like to thank all sponsors for the event who offered financial assistance and some truly fabulous prizes: D. Niall and co, McCallum Bagpipes, R.G. Hardie, Pipe Dreams, Piping Club, The Piobaireachd Society, Kingdom Thistle Pipe Band Supplies, The National Piping Centre, Sabhal Mor Ostaig and Highland Soap Co. Thank you all. 

A well organised team of stewards kept the day flowing smoothly with the first players on by 09:30 and the last players off shortly after 15:00 allowing time for a relaxed presentation of prizes and everyone was setting off home with plenty daylight to spare. 

LPS held its local open night the preceding evening at The Railway Club, Fort William, where an enjoyable night’s entertainment was had. There were 9 performers in total including society secretary James Rosie, and treasurer Fiona Fotheringham, DJ MacIntyre, Lochaber school’s instructor Angus Binnie and society chairman Angus Nicolson. There were also performances from competitors James Silcock (Falkirk) and Lily Robertson (Oban). This brought to a close the society’s winter activities, following two packed recitals earlier in the year by Roddy MacLeod and Angus MacColl. There’s certainly plenty appetite for piping in Lochaber so more recitals are in the planning for the end of this year and into next. 

The next scheduled event for LPS will be The Lochaber Gathering on August 28, which will follow a similar format to previous years, with the main venue being Highland Cinema in Fort William High Street. Details on entries etc to be announced soon. 

A final thank you must go to all society and committee members who give up so much time to organise and plan the events. Without their dedication the events wouldn’t happen, and the success of all the various events we run are a credit to the whole team. 

Event 1 – Chanter (March 10 Years & Under)

1. Zachariah Porter
2. Charles Campbell
3. Bento Haberli
4. Micheal Forrest
5. Niu Macdonald
6. Sandy Macpherson

Event 2 – Chanter (March 14 Years & Under)

1. Micheal Iain Macmillan
2. Kian MacNeil-Smith
3. Findlay Kinnie
4. Ciaristiona Munro
5. Finlay Lamont

Event 3a – Novice Bagpipes (Slow Air, 15 & Under)

1. Kiro Brendon
2. Rory Fielden
3. Jack Baillie
4. Pàdraig Burrows
5. Aiden MacNeil-Smith
6. Roan James

Event 3b – Novice Bagpipes (March, 15 & Under)

1. Kiro Brendon
2. Rory Fielden
3. Pàdraig Burrows
4. Aiden MacNeil-Smith
5. Roan James
6. Zoe Isaac

Event 4 – Slow Air (16 Years & Under)

1. Callan Erskine
2. Lily Robertson
3. Larry Presslie
4. James Silcock
5. Jack Folan
6. Alasdair Campbell

Event 5a – March (14 Years & Under)

1. Finn MacDermid
2. Mirren Silver
3. Alasdair Bullock
4. Larry Presslie
5. Jack Folan
6. Daniel MacIssac

Event 5b – Strathspey & Reel (14 Years & Under)

1. Mirren Silver
2. Alasdair Bullock
3. Finn MacDermid
4. Jack Folan
5. Kayli Folan
6. Daniel MacIssac

Event 6 – Piobaireachd (14 Years & Under)

1. Finn MacDermid
2. Jack Folan
3. Alasdair Bullock
4. Mirren Oliver
5. Larry Presslie

Event 7 – Jig (14 Years & Under)

1. Larry Presslie
2. Alasdair Bullock
3. Jack Folan
4. Mirren Silver
5. Kayli Folan
6. Eoghainn MacDonald

Event 8a – March (15–18 Years)

1. Seonaidh Forrest
2. Lily Robertson
3. Euan McCracken
4. Callan Erskine
5. James Silcock
6. Alasdair Campbell

Event 8b – Strathspey & Reel (15–18 Years)

1. Lily Robertson
2. Seonaidh Forrest
3. Callan Erskine
4. James Silcock
5. Hugh Anderson
6. Felix Hughes

Event 9 – Piobaireachd (15–18 Years)

1. Hugh Anderson
2. James Silcock
3. Seonaidh Forrest
4. Lily Robertson
5. Euan McCracken
6. Callan Erskine

Event 10 – Jig (15–18 Years)

1. Hugh Anderson
2. Seonaidh Forrest
3. James Silcock
4. Euan McCracken
5. Lily Robertson
6. Alasdair Campbell

Event 11 – Piobaireachd (Ground Only, 18 & Under)

1. Eoghainn MacDonald
2. Callum Alasdair Munro

Event 12 – Piobaireachd (Pipe Major Donald MacLeod Memorial, 18 & Under)

1. Finn MacDermid
2. Hugh Anderson
3. Lily Robertson
4. Mirren Silver
5. Alasdair Bullock
6. Felix Hughes

Event 13 – Novice Drumming (Sticks & Pad, 14 Years & Under)

1. Mason Rennie
2. Luca Rennie
3. Brooke Robson
4. Mykela Groundwater
5. Jack MacPherson
6. Aliza Peden

Event 14 – Drumming (2 part March on Snare Drum, 16–18 Years)

1. Calum MacPherson
2. Ross MacColl
3. Fynn Iannetta-Lowe
4. Rhuiridh James
5. Nathan Issac
6. Ben Stitt

 Event 15 – Drumming (4 part March on Snare Drum, 16–18 Years)

1. Calum MacPherson
2. Ross MacColl
3. Fynn Iannetta-Lowe
4. Maya Cameron
5. Ben Stitt
6. Nathan Issac