Birnam Games takes place on August 29th at the Games Park. As a result of two recent donations, a Strathspey/Reel event and a Piobaireachd (ground only) event are now included in the Open category.
Entries can be taken on the day or in advance by emailing: 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.
Stuart Letford, Piping Convenor, said: “We are delighted to include these two extra competitions, particularly as we’ve seen more entries in the Juniors in recent years. Young pipers can now compete for the Birnam Highland Games Shield as a result of a donation from a local businessman who wishes to remain anonymous, and the family of the late Donald Crystal have donated a lovely quaich in his name. Donald was also a local businessman, piper and piobaireachd lover.”
Donald Crystal, a longtime member of the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society, was thought to be the only amateur piper taken on for pibroch lessons by Bob Brown, one of the legendary ‘Bobs of Balmoral’. He wrote several articles for the Piping Times under the pen name, MacTavish.
The full list of competitions for Juniors at Birnam, therefore, is:
Open
- Marches
- Strathspey/Reel
- Jigs
- Piobaireachd (ground)
Local
(A ‘Local’ is someone born in Perthshire, or living in Perthshire for more than six months, at the time of each games and under 18 years of age on May 31st, 2026)
- Marches
- Strathspey/Reel
- Jigs
In all events, competitors will play tunes of their own choice.