Piping
The Piping Competition is one of highlights of the Highland Games and we have a range of competitions including the classic Piobaireachd. These events are open to senior and junior competitors. There are also chanter competitions and the under 18 Challenge for local Pipers.
The Glen Urquhart Gathering & Games is one of the nine piping competitions in the North Highland Games Piping Circuit (Inverness, Durness, Halkirk, Dornoch, Assynt, Strathpeffer, Tain, Helmsdale). The champion piper is awarded the prestigious Glass Chanter and in 2024 it was won by Angus MacPhee from Inverness.
Information
All piping competitions (both junior and senior) will be held on the all-weather pitch, adjacent to Blairbeg Park.
Judges 2025
Iain MacFadyen
DJ MacIntyre
Archie Drennan (Junior)
Senior Piping Events
Registration for all Senior events closes at 10.00am
Start for all Senior events 10.30am
Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places; there is also a prize for 4th place in Piobaireachd.
Junior Piping Events
Registration for all Junior events (excluding chanter and Under 13 piping) closes at 10.00am
Start for all Junior events (excluding chanter and Under 13 piping) 10.00am
Registration for Chanter and Under 13 piping closes at 2.00pm
Start for Chanter and Under 13 piping 2pm
Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for all Junior Piping events.
Medals and cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd places for all Junior Chanter events.
The Major’s Cups will be awarded to the best local piper and the runner-up.
(Local: Anyone who was born or resident (for more than 1 year) in the geographic areas of Abertaff, Glenmoriston, Glenurquhart, Kiltarlity, Kilmorak, Abriachan, Strathglass and Kirkhill.)
Open Piping
Junior 18 and under
March
Strathspey & Reel
Piobaireachd
Jig
15 and under
March
Strathspey & Reel
Jig
Piobaireachd
Under 13
March (one 4-part march)
Open Chanter
Under 12
March (one 4 part march)
Under 10
March (one 2 part march twice through)
Are you an athlete and want to compete in this year’s games?
The Highland Games wouldn’t be the same without the incredible athletes who make this event such a unique happening. Whether you're a seasoned heavyweight, gravel biker, trail runner or so much more, there’s a place for you in the competition. If you’re ready to step up and be part of the action, we’d love to have you compete! Go ahead and register.
To enter the Glen challenge or the Achmony hill race, please visit the dedicated page of each event.
You can download from here our prize money document.
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Heavy Events
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Track & Field
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Glen Chalenge
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