The Glasgow Highland Club’s Annual Competitions for schools’ pipe bands and individual pipers and drummers was held at Hutchesons’ Grammar School on Sunday 23 February 2025.
Entries – there was a very strong entry to the competition with 15 pipe bands competing across the three grades, and some 100 pipers and drummers entering the solo competitions.
The school pipe bands competing this year were:
Dollar Academy, George Heriot’s School, Glasgow Academy, Hutchesons’ Grammar School, Lochgelly High School, Merchiston Castle School, North Lanarkshire Schools, Renfrewshire Schools, West Lothian Schools
With further soloist entries from:
Douglas Castle High School, Edinburgh College, Falkirk High School, Glasgow Schools Pipe Band, Larbert High School, Lochgilphead High School, Mearns Academy, Mid Argyll Pipe Band, Oban High School, Preston Lodge High School, Ross Hall Academy
Results – Pipe Band Contests
Senior Bands:
1st Dollar Academy
2nd Renfrewshire Schools
3rd George Heriot’s School
Intermediate Bands:
1st Lochgelly High School
2nd Dollar Academy
3rd West Lothian Schools
Junior Bands:
1st Lochgelly High School
2nd Hutcheson’s Grammar School
3rd Merchiston Castle School – A
Best Corps of Drums: Dollar Academy Senior Band
Results – Solo Competitions
Senior Piping:
1st Paul McKay Dollar Academy
2nd Christopher Drummond West Lothian Schools
3rd Henry Kesterton George Heriot’s School
4th Peter McKay Ross Hall Academy
5th Charlie Mack Preston Lodge High School
6th James Crawford Preston Lodge High School
Intermediate Piping:
1st Ranulph Birch George Heriot’s School
2nd Thomas Edgar George Heriot’s School
3rd Toby Chapman Dollar Academy
4th Ellie Harrison Renfrewshire Schools
5th Eddie Molyneux George Heriot’s School
6th Ben McGaugie Dollar Academy
Junior Piping:
1st Abhiram Rao West Lothian Schools
2nd Cash McLeay Preston Lodge High School
3rd Noah Cottam George Heriot’s School
4th Laura Shennan Renfrewshire Schools
5th Murray McColl Dollar Academy
6th Cailean Acamovic Preston Lodge High School
Senior Drumming:
1st Mark McKendrick Renfrewshire Schools
2nd Tommi McAndrew Mearns Academy
3rd Aaron Christie Edinburgh College
4th Rory Lamont Douglas Castle High School
5th Dylan Gillespie George Heriot’s School
6th Caelyn Mathieson Lochgelly High School
Junior Drumming:
1st Ga Yeon Oh George Heriot’s School
2nd Eliza Dibley Dollar Academy
3rd Anna Tam George Heriot’s School
4th Renny Bell Lochgelly High School
5th Zara Weir Dollar Academy
6th Dillan Amin George Heriot’s School
A very good day was enjoyed by all – there was considerable talent and a great deal of developing potential on display; fantastic music and confident performances shone throughout the events; and a great day of fellowship was enjoyed by all. Of particular note:
- Spectator numbers saw another increase this year with nigh on 200 visitors enjoying the band and solo performances through the day.
- Increased Band entry, for the second year in a row.
- Solo entries at an all-time high.
- There was a trophy for the Best Corps of Drums; Sponsor prizes were awarded to all those placed 1st to 6th in the solo events; and certificates were presented to all bands and individuals who were placed.
- There was increased overall sponsorship and a greater number of prizes received from our Sponsors – for which we are very grateful.
- Full gloss printed programme (listing all the competition draws) was again available – a great keepsake and memento of the event.
Sponsors – The Glasgow Highland Club is extremely grateful to our Sponsors for their generous support to the event. Their support, and encouragement, enabled us to deliver a very enjoyable, instructive and rewarding day. Our very grateful thanks go to:
Senior Piping Winner Senior Drumming Winner
Paul McKay, Dollar Academy Mark McKendrick, Renfrewshire Schools
Dollar Academy – Winner of the Senior Band and Best Corps of Drums
