Fife piper takes Glenfiddich Piping Championship title for second year running

Decorated piper Callum Beamount, from Guardbridge in Fife, made history in Perthshire last night when he was crowned overall winner at the esteemed Glenfiddich Piping Championship.

Article Source: The National Piping Centre
Last Updated: 28 October 2024 12:24

Decorated piper Callum Beamount, from Guardbridge in Fife, made history in Perthshire last night when he was crowned overall winner at the esteemed Glenfiddich Piping Championship at Blair Castle for the second year running.

For the first time in the event's storied history, ten first-place qualifiers were invited to vie for the prestigious title, with the 51st annual event proving to be an electrifying showcase of piping talent and prestige.

All competitors were seasoned veterans of the competition, each having played at the event at least once before, and performed exceptionally in front of a sold out audience in Blair Castle’s Victorian Ballroom and to hundreds via an online livestream. The livestream is available for purchase and can be rewatched for a month following the event, until Friday 29th November, at www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/glenfiddich.

The Glenfiddich Piping Championship was founded in 1974 and is the premier competition in solo bagpiping, showcasing top pipers from around the globe.

The event, organised by The National Piping Centre, Scotland’s centre for excellence in piping and drumming, funded by the William Grant Foundation, and held annually at Blair Castle, is a celebration of piping excellence, tradition and expertise.

For more than five decades, it has inspired the world's finest exponents of Ceòl Mòr or Piobaireachd (the great music) and Ceòl Beag or light music (the little music).

This year’s competition saw Callum Beamount lift the trophy for the second time, making it back to back overall title wins in 2023 and 2024 for the Fife piper. Inveraray’s Stuart Liddell took second place and Nick Hudson, from Texas, was third overall.

Callum Beaumont was also named the March, Strathspey and Reel (MSR) competition winner, with Stuart Liddell taking first in the Piobaireachd.

Ian Duncan was awarded the Balvenie Medal for services to piping. This was the 40th presentation of this medal, which was first presented in 1984. Ian was awarded the medal for his service in Perthshire, where he has taught, led the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and worked tirelessly to nurture the next generation of pipers for many years.

Overall winner Callum Beaumont said: "Between getting married in the summer and taking this title, this has been the best year of my life. To come out overall winner has really topped off an amazing year personally and professionally.”

The National Piping Centre’s Director of Piping, Finlay MacDonald, said: “It’s a testament to the depth of talent and dedication in the piping world that we had ten exceptional first-place qualifiers this year and Callum Beaumont is a very worthy winner, impressively securing the title for the second consecutive year. The Glenfiddich Piping Championship remains the pinnacle of solo piping competitions, representing the very best in piping talent from around the world. We thank everyone who has supported this Championship over the past 51 years.”

The judges for the day were Murray Henderson, Ian Duncan and John Wilson for the Piobaireachd section, while Iain MacFadyen BEM, Dr Angus MacDonald and Richard Parkes MBE judged the March, Strathspey and Reel. Fear An Tighe (Master of Ceremonies) was Bob Worrall.

The ten competitors all impressively qualified first through individual events across the year. Callum Beaumont was selected as the reigning 2023 Glenfiddich Champion, Chris Armstrong was Former Winners MSR Winner at the Argyllshire Gathering, Alan Bevan was the Piping Live! Masters Overall Winner and Cameron Drummond was Gold Medallist at the Argyllshire Gathering.

Also achieving qualification at the Argyllshire Gathering was Alasdair Henderson who was Senior Piobaireachd Winner, while Nick Hudson was Northern Meeting Clasp Winner in the Senior Piobaireachd. Finlay Johnston took the 2023 Scottish Piping Society of London Annual Competition Overall Winner title and Stuart Liddell MBE was Northern Meeting Silver Star Winner, formerly the winners MSR. Finally Roddy MacLeod MBE was the 2023 Bratach Gorm Winner and Craig Sutherland was the Northern Meeting Gold Medallist

The Glenfiddich Piping Championship will return on Saturday 25th October 2025 at Blair Castle. Tickets will be available from summer 2025.

Image: Callum Beamount

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Fife piper takes Glenfiddich Piping Championship title for second year running

Decorated piper Callum Beamount, from Guardbridge in Fife, made history in Perthshire last night when he was crowned overall winner at the esteemed Glenfiddich Piping Championship.

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