The 25th annual pipes|drums New Year’s Honours

2025 Pipe Band of the Year

Inveraray & District

Choosing the World Champion might seem like an easy decision, but Inveraray & District had a year for the ages. Not only did the band dominate the UK Grade 1 circuit, but the band made a mark with its “Dream Valley” medley that could forever change the way pipe band music is considered and judged, not simply for technical exactitude, but for cohesive and subtle arrangement.

The story of Inveraray & District is one increasingly told through its music rather than the number of events it wins. Rarely has a band led the field at all three levels: pipe section, drum corps, and bass section, each world-class and all coming together to produce a spellbinding whole. This year was Inveraray & District’s pipe band world; we were lucky to be living in it.

A few comments from panellists:

• “The band competed in nine judged events this year and won seven of them and were second at two. Notably, they won all events at the World Pipe Band Championships. Simply a powerhouse of consistency. They continue to produce material at a rate like no other band, while tastefully challenging musical conventions of the competitive idiom.”
• “An unbelievable year for Inveraray, beginning with an exceptional concert in January at Celtic Connections, which they went on to tour in Europe. Excellent competition performances and a groundbreaking new medley made this a year that Inveraray would stand out from all others. It was also very nice to see that their anniversary dinner was open to all band members and supporters alike. The vibe from this band this year has just been really good.”
• “Their sublime medley on the Saturday of the Worlds has changed pipe band medleys forever.”
• “Worlds medley. Greatness hits a target no one else hits, genius hits a target no one else sees.”
• “A fourth World championship with the most impactful medley performance in some time makes Inveraray my choice.”

Also nominated (in alphabetical order):

Field Marshal Montgomery – Rarely if ever has a band brought on a new pipe-major, pipe-sergeant and bass-section leader in one year and picked up exactly where it left off – and maybe even better than FMM in 2025. Remember, this is something of a new band, yet to reach its full potential. We can’t wait to hear what’s next.

Glasgow Skye Association – “They took down another Grade 2 title at the Worlds, and continued its gradual rise back to the premier level. Not only that, but by organizing and promoting the annual Pre-Worlds Concert every year for nearly 40 years, “The Skye” makes a profound contribution to the art.

Manawatu Scottish – “The Tu” won the New Zealand National Championships for the first time in 17 years, against a deep field, had a successful trip to Scotland with fine showings at the European and Worlds, and did it with 11 women in the ranks – probably a record for a Grade 1 band. With a huge teaching program that supports four competing bands, Manawatu celebrated its one-hundredth anniversary year in style.

Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia – With Calum Watson stepping into Ross Harvey’s big pipe-major brogues, “The Boggies” maintained their place as one of the globe’s elite bands. Always community-focused, their renowned teaching program has brought model consistency over four decades, as can be heard in their release of Cabar Feidh from their spellbinding 2024 Pre-Worlds Concert performance.

Police Scotland Fife – Quietly, deftly, Police Scotland Fife under Pipe-Major David Wilton and Leading-Drummer Mick O’Neill steadily increase their consistency as one of the world’s super-bands. A second overall in the Saturday MSR at the Worlds could be foreshadowing for 2026, the band now seriously chapping at the door.

Simon Fraser University – Once again in the top-four at the Worlds, the SFU machine rolls along, producing a consistency of quality and community every piper, drummer, and band on earth admires. With Pipe-Major Alan Bevan’s style firmly established, and incoming Pipe-Sergeant Craig Sutherland ready to make an even greater mark, SFU is poised to up the ante in 2026.

Uddingston – Under Pipe-Major John Bowes and Lead-Drummer Craig Lawrie, Uddingston is a hair’s breadth away from reaching Grade 1 after only six years of existence. The band was second in the RSPBA’s Grade 2 Champion of Champions table, and its drum corps won the overall award. Many expected the RSPBA to promote the band after another successful season.