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

2025 Solo Competition Piper of the Year

Stuart Liddell, Inveraray, Scotland

His was one of the great solo piping years in history: the Clasp, the London Championship, the Senior Piobaireachd, the MacCrimmon Trophy, the Uist & Barra, the Glenfiddich . . . pretty much everywhere he went in 2025, he came away with a major trophy.

This is the fifth Solo Competition Piper of the Year award in Stuart Liddell’s illustrious career.

A few comments from panellists:

• “Taking the Glenfiddich along with both top piob prizes at the meetings is a ridiculous feat.
• “Results speak for themselves – what an outstanding year Stuart has had.”
• “Senior Piobaireachd, Clasp, Glenfiddich Champion. End of story.”
• “Senior Piobaireachd at Oban, Clasp at Inverness and the Glenfiddich plus a bunch more. It was Stuart’s year.”
• “He is simply outstanding.”

Also nominated (in alphabetical order):

Ben Duncan, Edinburgh – One of the few elite solo pipers who still goes around many of the smaller Scottish Highland Games circuit, Ben Duncan again did so with great effect. Add to that qualifying for his first Glenfiddich appearance by virtue of a second in the Oban Former Winners MSR, and it makes a another great year.

Finlay Johnston, Glasgow – The Bratach Gorm, the Former Winners MSR at the Argyllshire Gathering, the Alasdair Gillies Recital Challenge, The Ardmore Cup . . . just a few of the successes in 2025 for Johnston.

Nick Hudson, Houston – There can be no doubt now: Nick Hudson is in the elite category of competing solo Highland pipers. His 2025 included a second in the Clasp and a second and a fourth at the Glenfiddich, proving his all-round ability in both Piobaireachd and light music. As they say, the real deal.

Steven Leask, East Kilbride, Scotland – Winning the Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering to earn his first appearance at the Glenfiddich ushered Leask into the upper echelons of the art. But he’s been one of the world’s most successful competitors for years, his work ethic and commitment paying off bigtime in 2025.

Willie McCallum, Bearsden, Scotland – The most award-winning piper in history, 2025 saw Willie McCallum’s return to technical piobaireachd form to go along with his staggeringly consistent light music. As he approaches his mid-sixties, one of the world’s most popular pipers could be entering a late career purple patch in 2026.

Brodie Watson-Massey, Edinburgh – Win Silver Medal: check. Win Highland Society of London Gold Medal the next year: check. Win a prize at your first Glendidich: check. Watson-Massey has been lighting up the lists ever since he started playing in senior solo events only three years ago, and 2025 hastened his entry into the top ranks of the art.