Features
June 12, 2026

A solution to the problem of teachers judging pupils

We received the following plan from Colin MacLellan, a frequent contributor to pipes|drums and a famous competitor, judge and teacher. While the plan is more specific to the Senior solo piping competitions in the UK, it is both noteworthy and applicable to the worldwide piping community.
Subscribers
June 11, 2026
John Elliott: the pipes|drums Interview – Part 5
Features
June 10, 2026
The Medley Playbook: Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia
Results
June 8, 2026
Knichel, Cruz, Edetsberger, Keith Highlanders win top trophies at resurrected Portland Games
Results
June 7, 2026
Ben Duncan slam dunks overall solo piping trophy at Markinch
Results
June 6, 2026
Aitchison, Stringer and Alderslowe take in the big stuff at CLASP June in-person contest
Features
June 5, 2026
Set Tunes Series 2026: “Salute on the Birth of Rory Mor”
Results
June 3, 2026
Pipe Bands hit Penang for 2026 South-East Asia Championships
News
June 2, 2026
Sick from/of testing reeds, Bruce Lazeroff creates BelloReed for better health and bagpipe performance
More stories
News
June 1, 2026

Colin MacLellan adds Glengarry Music Hall of Fame induction to long list of honours

With more than 50 years (and counting) of major contributions to piping and drumming, Colin MacLellan returned to...
Results
June 1, 2026

Kernaghan, Rowe, Easton, McConnochie celebrate in Dunedin with King Charles III

Liam Kernaghan, Wellington, won the overall Open/A-Grade award, and Maggie McConnochie, Christchurch, did the same in...
Results
May 31, 2026

Quay, Wilson, Parsons, Rathnayake and Nield gather solo piping hardware in Melbourne

More than 70 pipers competed in the Victorian Pipers' Association's solo competition at Scotch College, and the top...
Results
May 30, 2026

Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia: 2026 British Champions

With four firsts from the four judges, Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia easily won the 2026 British Championship held at the...
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From the archives
Results
August 18, 2018
Challenging weather day at one-judge Glenfinnan
Small turnout for solo piping in the West Highlands . . .
This day in history
June 12, 1973
Muirhead & Sons suspended from SPBA for complaining about J.K. McAllister’s judging.
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POLL

How much does it matter to you that someone judging you or your band is accredited with an association?

  • Essential. I won't be judged by unaccredited people.
  • Important. But I'd probably still play.
  • Not too important. Accreditation doesn't mean much.
  • Unimportant. The only thing that matters is their history of competition success.
  • I don't compete, solo or band
You've already voted today.
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