Bratach Gorm SPSL Annual Competitions 2024

•Bratach Gorm competitors, 1974, L-R: Iain MacFadyen, Jimmy MacGregor, Hugh MacCallum, Pipe Major Angus MacDonald, Dr Jack Taylor, Kenny MacDonald and Andrew Wright.

The top professional pipers in the world will compete for the prestigious Bratach Gorm and a range of other professional events graded Premier, A & B. Juvenile competitors compete for the Jim Caution Quaich. Competition details and entry form can be found below:

Important notice: Please note change to William Gillies Cup eligibility criteria below. Do not enter until you are ready to submit all tunes. An admin charge will apply to entries without appropriate tune submissions (eg. no ‘TBC’).

Entries will open on Saturday September 21, 2024. Closing date for entries is Saturday October 5, 2024. 

Your competition entry will be confirmed by email. If you do not receive confirmation of your entry please check your junk box. All other queries should be directed to info@scottishpipingsocietyoflondon.co.uk

Entry criteria:

Full competition criteria is below.

As in previous years, formers winners of London events since 2009 will be expected to play in the next level event at London, otherwise, pipers should enter competitions in line with their grading.

For the Piobaireachd competitions please note:

William Gillies Cup: grades P or A+ by the CPA, from prize winners in the current year’s Gold Medal events at Oban and Inverness, and from previous winners of the Snuff Mull at London in the last two years.
RG Lawrie Rams Horn Snuff Mull: Pipers graded A, and previous winners of the John Roe Plate.
John Roe Plate: Pipers graded B who have not previously won the John Roe.

Information for competitors: The committee advises that there is a strict dress code in operation at The Caledonian Club and this applies to all competitors, guests and spectators at the Annual Competition. Strictly: no jeans, trainers or t-shirts. See here for more information.

COMPETITION CRITERIA

Premier

Piobaireachd: Am Bratach Gorm
Open to Argyllshire Gathering or Northern Meeting Gold medalists and previous winners of William Gillies. 6 tunes to be submitted with entry.

Piobaireachd: William Gillies Cup
Open to P, A+ by the CPA, prize winners in the current year’s Gold Medal events at Oban and Inverness, and previous winners of the RG Lawrie Rams Horn Snuff Mull at London in the last two years.

MSR: London Medallion & John MacFadyen Quaich
Open to P Grade Pipers and previous winners of the Strachan Memorial Memorial. 6 of each tune to be submitted with entry.

March: PM JB Robertson Silver Rose Bowl
This event will revert to a previous format and will be judged concurrently with PM London Medallion & John MacFadyen Quaich MSR. Please note that the PM JB Robertson March competition result does NOT contribute to the overall prize.

Hornpipe Jig: Mary Flora Beaton Cup
Open to P Grade Pipers, pipers eligible to compete in the London Medallion & John MacFadyen Quaich, and previous winners of the Donald Forbes Medal. 3 of each to be submitted with entry.

A Grade

Piobaireachd: RG Lawrie Rams Horn Snuff Mull
Open to all pipers graded A and previous winners of the John Roe Plate. 6 tunes to be submitted with entry.

MSR: Strachan Memorial
Open to A Grade Pipers, previous winners of London Scottish Hodden Grey and winners of B light music at Argyllshire Gathering or Northern Meeting in year of entry. 4 of each tune to be submitted with entry.

Hornpipe & Jig:  Donald Forbes Medal
Open to A Grade Pipers, pipers eligible for the Strachan Memorial, previous winners of Hugh MacMillan Trophy and winners of B light music at Argyllshire Gathering or Northern Meeting in year of entry. Own choice to be submitted with entry.

B Grade

Piobaireachd:  John Roe Plate
Open to CPA B grade Pipers who have not previously won the John Roe. 4 tunes to be submitted with entry.

MSR: London Scottish Hodden Grey Trophy
CPA B Grade Pipers. 3 of each tune to be submitted with entry.

Hornpipe & Jig:  Hugh MacMillan Trophy
CPA B Grade Pipers. Own choice to be submitted with entry.

Juvenile

Piobaireachd: 18 and under. Own choice on the day.

MSR:  British Airways Pipe Band Trophy 18 and under. Own choice on the day.

Slow Air & Jig:  Highlands & Islands Society Trophy 18 and under. Own choice on the day.

The SPSL will be undertaking photography and recording at the event. Upon entry to the competition, all competitors acknowledge that any photographs or footage will be owned by the SPSL for use in social media, website and communications to members and sponsors.