The National Piping Centre and the William Grant Foundation are delighted to announce the return of the prestigious Glenfiddich Piping Championship for its 53rd annual edition. The world-renowned competition will take place live from the historic Blair Castle in Perthshire on Saturday, 31st October 2026, with world-class performances scheduled to commence from 10:00am.
The 2026 qualifying events are currently underway across the solo piping circuit. The final, elite field of ten competitors will be officially announced once all qualifying events conclude and formal invitations are accepted. This year’s invitation list draws champions from the pinnacle of solo piping, including the 2025 overall winner, alongside top prize-winners from the Masters Solo Piping Competition at Piping Live!, the Scottish Piping Society of London annual competition, the Northern Meeting, and the Argyllshire Gathering. To ensure a definitive field of ten masters, a strict double-qualification protocol is in place, sequentially evaluating second and third-place finishes from the premier Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey, and Reel events.
Tickets for the Glenfiddich are now officially on sale. Standard daytime admission is available for £20, with concession tickets priced at £15. For those unable to attend the majestic Blair Castle in person, global audiences can experience every single note via the dedicated Glenfiddich Livestream. The livestream package includes full pause and rewind capabilities, post-event re-watch access, and exclusive bonus interviews and commentary, making it the perfect option for home viewing or watch parties.
In an exciting update for 2026, guests can now purchase separate tickets for the Pipers’ Ceilidh, an elegant black-tie celebration hosted at the stunning Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry following the daytime competition. Priced at £70 per person, this premium evening brings together competitors and enthusiasts for a night of fine dining and outstanding music. The evening features a sparkling wine reception, a curated three-course meal, a live ceilidh performance by the acclaimed Marie Fielding and Friends, an open bar, as well as a highly anticipated surprise performance. Guests will be able to specify seating preferences and dietary requirements during the ticket checkout process.
Exclusive weekend accommodation is also available at the Atholl Palace Hotel, which serves as the official host venue for the weekend’s festivities. Attendees can access special discounted rates using the promotional code GLENFIDDICH directly on the hotel’s website. Available options include single bed-and-breakfast rooms for £169 per night and double bed-and-breakfast rooms for £199 per night, with the additional option to attend an informal welcome dinner on Friday night for £55 per person. Due to limited room availability at these exclusive rates, organisers encourage early booking by applying the promo code under the “Access your special rates” section on the hotel’s reservation platform.
For more information, to purchase daytime or ceilidh tickets, or to register for the global livestream, please visit www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/the-glenfiddich-piping-championship/.