This years R.G. Hardie & Co. Masters Solo Piping Competition takes place on Sunday, August 9, at the National Piping Centre as part of Piping Live! 2026. The piobaireachd event starts at 9am with the MSR event starting at the conclusion of this event which is anticipated to be 5pm.
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There are 21 entered for the piobaireachd with 22 competitors in the MSR, all former winners ensuring a full day of excellent piping. The prize giving will take place at the conclusion of the MSR. This year will see a new feature following the conclusion of the MSR competition with Charlie Mack, the NPC Overall Junior Champion Piper giving a short recital as the audience and competitors await the results being announced.
Wilson Brown, Piping Convenor, told us: “We’re looking forward to the Masters competition kicking off Piping Live! for this year. We have a great entry of top class players competing with the overall winner qualifying for the Glenfiddich Championships in October 2026. I’m sure this calibre of piping will attract a large, appreciative audience. I’m also delighted to welcome Charlie Mack to perform at the end of the competition giving him an opportunity to perform on the main stage and giving the audience a chance to enjoy one of Scotland’s most successful young pipers.”
Piobaireachd Draw
- Glenn Brown – Lady MacDonalds Lament
- Alan Bevan – In Praise of Morag
- Andrew Hayes – The Lament for the Union
- Iain Speirs – Lament for Patrick Og MacCrimmon
- Bruce Gandy – The Unjust Incarceration
- Peter McCalister – The Red Speckled Bull
- Connor Sinclair – Lament for MacLeod of Colbeck
- Finlay Johnston – Lament for Colin Roy MacKenzie
- Fred Morrison – The Lament for the Children
- Roddy MacLeod – Old Men of the Shells
- Cameron Drummond – MacLeod of MacLeod’s Lament
- Steven Leask – MacLeod of Colbeck’s Lament
- Willie McCallum – The Edinburgh Piobaireachd
- Craig Sutherland – Craigellachie
- Brodie Watson-Massey – Port Urlar
- Callum Beaumont – My Dearest on Earth give me your kiss
- Colin McLellan – The Red Speckled Bull
- Nick Hudson – Craigellachie
- Ian K. MacDonald – Lament for the Earl of Antrim
- Alasdair Henderson – Scare of Fishing
- Angus D. MacColl – Nameless Cherede Darievea
MSR Draw
- Sarah Muir – Duke of Roxburgh’s Farewell to the Blackmount Forrest, Lady Mckenzie of Gairloch, Dr McPhails Reel
- Roddy MacLeod – John McColl’s March to Kilbowie Cottage, Maggie Cameron, Cecily Ross
- Finlay Johnston – Inveran, Islay Ball, Alick Cameron Champion Piper
- Ian K. MacDonald – Major Manson’s Farewell to Clachantruschall, Piper’s Bonnet, John Morrison of Assynt House
- Alan Bevan – Allan Rowan of Port Appin, Shepherd’s Crook, Peter MacFarquhar
- Willie McCallum – Mrs Duncan McFadyen, Susan MacLeod, Roddy MacDonald’s Fancy
- Connor Sinclair – David Ross of Rosehall, Lady Louden, Broadford Bay
- Andrew Hayes – Duchess of Edinburgh, Dora MacLeod, Grey Bob
- Alasdair Henderson – Colonel MacLean of Ardgour, Caledonian Society of London, Mrs McPherson of Inveran
- Ben Duncan – Lonach Gathering, Thoughts o’ Burns, Jackie Latin
- Angus D. MacColl – Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque, John Roy Stuart, Alick C McGregor
- Iain Speirs – Balmoral Highlanders, Top of Craigvenow, Bessie McIntyre
- Allan Russell – Braes of Castle Grant, Highland Harry, Wee Man from Glengarry
- Fred Morrison – Clan McColl, Pipers Bonnet, Sheepwife
- Andrew Carlisle – Kantara to El Arish, Loch Loskin, Grey Bob
- Alastair Lee – Leaving Lunga, Caledonian Society of London, Loch Carron
- Cameron Drummond – Donald MacLellan of Rothesay, Shepherd’s Crook, Lt Col D.J.S. Murray
- Bruce Gandy – Argyllshire Gathering, Ewe wi the Crookit Horn, Stornoway Castle
- Glenn Brown – Bonnie Ann, Peter Hunt, Blackberry Bush
- Nick Hudson – Brig. Gen. Ronald Cheape of Tiroran, Cameronian Rant, Drumlithie
- Callum Beaumont – Royal Scottish Piper’s Society, Catlodge, Little Cascade
- Craig Sutherland – Maclean of Pennycross, Caber Feidh, Grey Bob