The National Piping Centre, The Bagpipe Shop and The Pipers' Tryst restaurant and hotel will all operate with slightly different opening hours over the festival period. Find out below when we will be open, but if you are unsure, please call us on 0141 353 5551 to double check before travelling.
The National Piping Centre Teaching School
- There will be no new teaching bookings available from Friday 18th December until Monday 8th January 2024.
- You can find out more about all our lesson options here
The Bagpipe Shop
- The Bagpipe Shop will be open at McPhater Street until 6pm on Saturday 23rd December.
- The shop at both McPhater Street and Otago Street will be closed until Wednesday 3rd January, but some orders may be dispatched from 27th - 29th December.
- Please allow extra time for parcel delivery during this time.
- Shop online any time over at our website here
The Pipers' Tryst Restaurant
- Open until end of service on Friday 23rd December
- Closed 24th - 26th December
- Re-open for dinner service from 5pm on 27th December
- Open as per usual hours 28th - 30th December
- 31st December open for breakfast and lunch and then private dinner with pre booking only after 5pm
- Closed 1st and 2nd January 2024
- Re-open for coffee from 3rd - 5th January
- Open as normal with full menu service from Saturday 6th January
- See our menu and book online here
The Pipers' Tryst Hotel
- Closed for check in from 23rd - 26th December 2023
- Re-open for check in from 27th - 30th December 2023
- Closed 31st - 2nd January 2024
- Re-open for coffee from 3rd - 5th January with continental breakfast available
- Normal service resumes from Saturday 6th January
- Find out more and book a stay online here
The overall winner of the prestigious Glenfiddich Piping Championship 2023 has been named as Callum Beaumont, as the event celebrates five decades of sensational piping.
The prestigious Championship, which was first held in 1974, was founded by Sandy Grant Gordon of William Grant and Sons, and Seumas MacNeill who was Principal of the College of Piping at the time. It was established to inspire the world's finest exponents of Ceòl Mòr or Piobaireachd (the great music) and Ceòl Beag or light music (the little music). Run by The National Piping Centre, the world centre for excellence in bagpipe music, and funded through the William Grant Foundation, the event is held annually in Perthshire.
Callum Beaumont went up against nine of the world’s greatest solo players at the landmark 50th edition of the annual competition at Blair Castle last night to claim the title, his first time lifting the trophy.
Finlay Johnston was crowned runner-up and Alex Gandy was third overall. Callum Beaumont was also named the Piobaireachd winner, and the March, Strathspey and Reel (MSR) competition winner was Alex Gandy.
The recipient of this year's Balvenie Medal, which is awarded annually for services to piping, was Roderick J MacLeod MBE. The five-time Glenfiddich Champion was nominated for the award by his peers for his huge contribution to the world of piping through his solo, pipe band and professional career.
The full results were:
Overall
1. Callum Beaumont
2. Finlay Johnston
3. Alex Gandy
Piobaireachd
1. Callum Beaumont
2. Finlay Johnston
3. Fred Morrison
4. Bruce Gandy
5. Angus MacColl
March, Strathspey and Reel
1. Alex Gandy
2. Jack Lee
3. Angus MacColl
4. Willie McCallun
5. Finlay Johnston
The Championship played out in front of a packed live audience in Blair Castle’s Victorian Ballroom, with advance tickets having sold out well ahead of the event, as well as hundreds of spectators from around the world watching the competition online.
Overall winner Callum Beaumont said: “I’m honoured to be taking home the Glenfiddich trophy today. It was fantastic to be part of the 50th edition of the Championship competing against such incredible pipers – everyone gave it their all so it means a lot to be the overall winner, and to join the legacy of great pipers who have received this honour in the past five decades.”
The National Piping Centre’s Director of Piping, Finlay MacDonald, said: “It was fantastic to have ten of the world’s best pipers competing here at Blair Castle for this special edition of the Glenfiddich Piping Championship. The Championship is the peak of all solo piping competitions, representing the very best in piping talent from around the world. It was a tough competition, with some incredible performances, so congratulations to our winners and runners up this year and a big thank you to everyone who came along to watch or tuned in online, and anyone who has supported the Championship over the past 50 years.”
The Chief Executive of the William Grant Foundation, Nick Addington, said: "As we celebrate the 50th edition of the Glenfiddich Piping Championship, the William Grant Foundation is honoured to maintain our continuous support for this iconic event. For half a century, this competition has been a beacon of excellence in the world of solo piping, and we are proud to be a part of its legacy. Congratulations to Callum Beaumont, all the participants and everyone involved for their outstanding contributions to this historic milestone."
The judges for the day were Murray Henderson, Bob Worrall and Jack Taylor for the Piobaireachd section, while Ian Duncan, Ian McLellan and PM James Banks judged the March, Strathspey and Reel. Fear An Tighe (Master of Ceremonies) was John Wilson.
This year's competitors were once again chosen from the list of qualifying events, with Willie McCallum the Overall Winner of the 2022 Glenfiddich Piping Championship. Callum Beaumont won The Clasp for Senior Piobaireachd and the Former Winners MSR at the Northern Meeting, where Innes Smith was the Gold Medal Winner and Finlay Johnston took second in the Former Winners’ March, Strathspey and Reel.
Angus MacColl was the Senior Piobaireachd winner at the Argyllshire Gathering, with Alex Gandy winning the Former Winners’ March, Strathspey and Reel, Alasdair Henderson taking the gold medal and Jack Lee taking second place in the Former Winners’ March, Strathspey and Reel at the same event. At the Scottish Pipers’ Society of London Competition, Fred Morrison was named the Overall Champion, while Bruce Gandy was awarded the Bratach Gorm, as well winning the Piping Live! Masters Solo Piping Competition overall prize.
The competition was topped off with a celebratory Pipers' Ceilidh at the Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry.
You can still access the livestream and relive the day of events until Mon 13th November.
Watch Livestream