Results from the Glasgow Highland Club’s Annual Competitions 2026

By
John Slavin
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0
1621
•Lochgelly High School

The Glasgow Highland Club’s Annual Competitions for schools’ pipe bands and individual pipers and drummers was held at Hutchesons’ Grammar School on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

There was a very good entry to the competition with seven pipe bands competing and over 100 pipers and drummers from 26 schools across Scotland entering the solo competitions.

Results

Pipe Band Contests

Senior Bands:

  1. Dollar Academy
  2. Lochgelly High School
  3. West Lothian Schools
    Best Corps of Drums: Dollar Academy

Intermediate Bands:

  1. Lochgelly High School
  2. Hutcheson’s Grammar School
    Best Corps of Drums: Lochgelly High School

Junior Bands:

  1. Hutcheson’s Grammar School
  2. West Lothian Schools
    Best Corps of Drums:  Hutcheson’s Grammar School
•Dollar Academy – winners of the Senior Band and the Best Corps of Drums

Solo Competitions 

Senior Piping:

  1. Charlie Mack – Preston Lodge High School
  2. Paul Mackay – Dollar Academy
  3. William Muirhead – George Watson’s College
  4. Rory Menzies – Strathallan School
  5. Morla Bruce – Glenalmond College
  6. Lily Robertson – Oban High School
•Senior Piping winner Charlie Mack of Preston Lodge High School

Intermediate Piping:

  1. Toby Chapman – Dollar Academy
  2. Sam Donnelly – West Lothian Schools
  3. Cailean Acamovic – Preston Lodge High School
  4. Cash Mcleay – Preston Lodge High School
  5. Ben McGuaghie – Dollar Academy
  6. Shay McInarlin – North Lanarkshire Schools
•Intermediate Piping winner Toby Chapman of Dollar Academy

Junior Piping:

  1. Abhiram Rao – West Lothian Schools
  2. Larry Presslie – Robert Gordon’s College
  3. Travis McKenna-Johnston – Annan Academy
  4. Shaun Weir – Johnstone High School
  5. Finlay Thompson – George Watson’s College
  6. Kendrick Smith – The Glasgow Academy
•Junior Piping winner Abhiram Rao of West Lothian Schools presented with the Kettlewell Medal.

Senior Drumming:

  1. Caelyn Mathieson – Lochgelly High School
  2. Flynn Bryson – North Lanarkshire Schools
  3. Eliza Dibley – Dollar Academy
  4. Ga Yeon Oh – George Heriot’s School
  5. Magnus Binns – George Heriot’s School
  6. Harry Roemmele – Dollar Academy
•Senior Drumming winner Caelyn Mathieson of Lochgelly High School

Junior Drumming:

  1. Gregor Morrow – Renfrewshire Schools
  2. Renny Bell – Lochgelly High School
  3. Nathan Paul – Dunoon Grammar School
  4. Aaron Scott – Preston Lodge High School
  5. Oliver Lee – The Glasgow Academy
  6. Logan Waters – North Lanarkshire Schools
•Junior Drumming winner Gregor Morrow of Renfrewshire Schools

A very good day was enjoyed by all. There was considerable talent and a great deal of developing potential on display; fantastic music and confident performances shone throughout the events; and a great day of fellowship was enjoyed by all.  Of particular note:

  • Spectator numbers were strong with over 150 visitors enjoying the band and solo performances through the day.
  • Solo entries were at an all-time high with competitors coming from as far afield as Aberdeen, Oban, Dunoon, Arran and Annan.
  • In each band grade there was a trophy for the Best Corps of Drums; Sponsor prizes were awarded to all those placed 1st to 6th in the solo events; and certificates were presented to all bands and individuals who were placed.
  • This year there were additional band prizes of a visit to McCallum Bagpipes or the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming.
  • The Kettlewell Medal for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Junior (U14) Piping, was presented for the first time.  In recognition of his friendship with David Kettlewell, Kenny MacLeod presented a set of McCallum bagpipes to the winner of the Junior (U14) Piping for 2026.
  • There was increased overall sponsorship and a greater number of prizes received from our Sponsors – for which we and competitors are very grateful.
  • Full gloss printed programme (listing all the competition draws) was again available – a great keepsake and memento of the event.

Background:  This is a long-standing annual competition, run by the Glasgow Highland Club, to encourage and support the development of school pipe bands and individuals.  The premier prize in the Pipe Band Contest is the Glasgow Highland Club’s Highland Shield Challenge Trophy.  Originally presented to Glasgow Battalion the Boys’ Brigade for band competition, Juvenile bands have competed for the Highland Shield since 1909, making this one of the oldest competitions that encourages and develops Juvenile and developing bands.

Sponsors:  The Glasgow Highland Club is extremely grateful to our Sponsors for their generous support to the event.  Their support, and encouragement, enabled us to deliver a very enjoyable, instructive and rewarding day.  Our grateful thanks go to:

•Junior Piping winner, Abhiram Rao of West Lothian Schools being presented with a set of McCallum Bagpipes.
•West Lothian Schools