Tradition. Excellence.
The Glenfiddich.
The Glenfiddich Piping Championship
The Glenfiddich Piping Championship was established in 1974 to inspire the world’s finest individual pipers and to seek the best overall exponents of ceòl mòr (the great music) and ceòl beag (light music).
Each year, 10 competitors qualify to play at this prestigious event through placing in one of a series of qualifying events throughout the season.
The 53rd edition will take place on Saturday 31st October 2026 at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl. Competitors will be announced in September once the qualifying events are finalised.
The Glenfiddich 2026
The National Piping Centre and William Grant Foundation presented the 53rd Annual Glenfiddich Piping Championship, live from Blair Castle in Perthshire on Saturday 31st October 2026, with performances starting from 10am.
The 2026 Qualifying events are still ongoing, and the full list of competitors will be announced once these events have concluded and the competitors have accepted their invitations to perform.
The qualifying events are:
- The 2025 Overall Winner
- The Clasp Senior Piobaireachd at the Northern Meeting
- The Senior Piobaireachd at the Argyllshire Gathering
- The Former Winners MSR at the Argyllshire Gathering
- The Silver Star Former Winners MSR at the Norther Meeting
- The Bratach Gorm at the Scottish Piping Society of London annual competition
- The Overall Winner at the the Scottish Piping Society of London annual competition
- The Overall Winner of the Piping Live! Masters Solo Piping Competition
- The Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting
- The Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering
In the event of a double qualification, second places from events 2 – 5 above will be looked at, in this order, then third places of these 4 events and so on until the list of 10 is complete.
Tickets for this year’s event are now on sale. Tickets are £20 standard / £15 concession for day only tickets. This year, you can buy separate tickets for the Pipers’ Ceilidh which are £70 per person. Find out more about the Pipers’ Ceilidh below.
The Pipers’ Ceilidh
The Pipers’ Ceilidh – A Black Tie Celebration
Each year, after the day of performances, The Pipers’ Ceilidh takes place at the stunning Atholl Palace Hotel.
This elegant Black Tie dinner is a highlight of the day, bringing pipers and guests together for an unforgettable evening of fine dining and outstanding music.
Your evening includes:
- Sparkling wine on arrival
- A delicious three-course meal, with wine on the table
- A live ceilidh from the brilliant Marie Fielding and Friends
- A very special surprise performance
- An open bar until approx. 11pm
This fantastic event perfectly rounds off a spectacular day of music.
Tickets are £70 per person, with a seated table plan for this very special night. At ticket checkout you will be asked to provide your name, your guests names, dietary requirements and any further information, such as if you would like to sit with a group.
Accomodation
The weekend accommodation is all at the stunning Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry.
This beautiful hotel hosts the weekend and you can now book your stay with our exclusive code. There are Bed +Breakfast options for Friday and Saturday night, as well as the option to join the informal welcome dinner on the Friday Night.
The room rates are:
Single room B+B: £169 per night
Double room B+B: £199 per night
Optional Dinner: £55 per person
There are limited rooms available at this price, so head over to the Atholl Palace Website and use Booking Code : GLENFIDDICH to book your stay today.
When you go to the website click “Book Now” (top right desktop / bottom left on phone)
At the top click on “promo code” and add in code GLENFIDDICH
When this has applied ; click on the box that says “Access your special rates”
This will then filter to these dates / rooms
Livestream
Can’t make it in person this year?
Make sure you don’t miss so much as a gracenote with our Glenfiddich Livestream and re-watch, tickets available below.
Whether organising a watch party with friends or just enjoying the competition from the comfort of your own home, our livestream and re-watch allows you to pause, rewind or watch later. With bonus interviews and commentary, if you can’t make it in person this is the next best thing!
PREVIOUS RESULTS
The Balvenie Award For Services To Piping
First awarded in 1985, the Balvenie Medal for Services to Piping recognises those who have made an exceptional contribution to the study, performance and appreciation of the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe, and have helped sustain and promote piping as a thriving cultural tradition.
With one annual recipient, the medal is awarded to those whose contribution has extended over a long period of service to piping and the piping community in Scotland or elsewhere.
Nominations for the Balvenie Award should be submitted through the form using the link below. The annual nomination period is NOW CLOSED. Once the window has closed, a committee comprising representatives from the William Grant Foundation, the National Piping Centre and two external members of the piping community will then consider all the nominations and determine the recipient of the award.
Pictured: 2025 recipient Jeannie Campbell MBE
