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

2025 Event of the Year

Glenfiddich Solo Piping Championships

There is truly nothing else like the Glenfiddich for bringing together the year’s 10 most successful Highland pipers in a sumptuous setting in the verdant Perthshire countryside for an audience that truly appreciates the art and the artistry of the performers. Now in its second year managed by the National Piping Centre, the 51-year-old event once again wowed the nearly 1000-strong in-person audience and the many more worldwide who connected to watch live.

Panellists’ comments:

• “Simply the pinnacle contest for any piper. The standard of playing and the setting is unmatched and unreal.”
• “It never fails to be one of the best days hearing the top players at their best.”
• “I think the main thing that makes the Glenfiddich the event of the year is that it is live streamed and available to stream after the event. This makes it accessible to everyone which.”
• “Consistently the best of the best for performance, venue and overall atmosphere.”
• “A true showcase of the very best pipers we have on the planet.”

Also nominated (in alphabetical order):

Alasdair Gillies Memorial Recital Challenge – Annually, one of the most exciting displays of extraordinary piping ability, the 2025 edition thrilled a packed Strathclyde Suite once again, with Finlay Johnston capturing the prize after a gruelling display of virtuoso talent.

Capt. John A. MacLellan MBE Memorial Medal – The Eagle Pipers’ Society delivered probably the world’s swankiest piping competition, spotlighting the music of the great MacLellan in a regal evening at a five-star venue.

Glengarry Highland Games, Maxville, Ontario – The various North American Championships for piping, drumming and pipe bands are a major aspect of this annual extravaganza attended by tens of thousands from across North America.

Inveraray & District and the Finlay MacDonald Band – The annual Piping Concert at Celtic Connections was one of the best ever, putting the 2024 (and eventual 2025) World Champions on the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall stage to light a fire under the dreich Scottish winter. Adding Finlay MacDonald’s band to the bill made it that much hotter.

Pipe-Major’s Wheel of Fortune Solo Piping and Joke Competition – After almost two decades, the City of Edinburgh Pipe Band continues to run the world’s most creative and fun – yet serious – piping competitions. Sarah Muir took the overall prize and local raconteur Brian Lamond once again won the (not joking) Joke event.

SOLAS – Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pre-Worlds Concert – Every year, piers, drummers and piping and drumming enthusiasts look forward to hearing what one of the world’s handful of elite super-bands comes up with for a two-hour show. Shotts delivered.

World Solo Drumming Championships – The RSPBA’s day-long showcase of the best adult and junior pipe band snare and tenor drummers in the world is a singular delight. This year, Kerr McQuillan edged out Steven McWhirter for the title, and, finally, people are beginning to appreciate that some of the best piping on earth can also be enjoyed.

Note: Because of the exceptional size and scope of both the World Pipe Band Championships and the Piping Live! Festival, these events as a whole were excluded, but events within them were considered as potential nominees.

Congratulations again to all the winners and nominees!

Thank you to our panel of experts for their time and expertise in selecting the winners. Thank you also to our advertisers and subscribers for making pipes|drums possible.

Previous pipes|drums New Year’s Honours:

Best wishes to all our readers, subscribers, and advertisers for a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2026, and, as always, Stay tuned.