Drew Duthart PPBSO "A" Solo & Band Drumming Judging Accreditation Drew Duthart judging snare drumming solos at the 2026 Hamilton Highland Gathering ”A wee note on the infamous Closed Roll” Once upon a time, when dinosaurs and I roamed this vast continent looking for pipe band and solo contests to compete at, there was one rudiment that was considered the crème de la crème of all rudiments, one that would take a long time to perfect, if ever, a life study even! That would be t

Just 9 days before the event, the Cambridge Scottish Festival Committee has notified the PPBSO of the cancellation of the games for 2026. No reason was given at this point for the cancellation. All registered soloists and bands are being advised by email and will, in due course, receive any entry fees back. PPBSO President, Malkie Bow, stated "This is surprise and very disappointing, as we had record band and solo entries this year and there will be a lot of disappointed mem

More and more we’re seeing severe weather conditions during the summer season including sudden storms or high heat and humidity. Every individual, every band, the PPBSO and the highland games organizers should plan contingencies for these extreme conditions. Bringing enough hydration and setting up tents for shade is something all members should consider. Ensuring that tents are staked or tied down is also important. A recent incident at a highland games highlighted this whe

The 2026 Embro Highland Games took place on July 1st, as Canada celebrated its 159th birthday. Hosted by the Zorra Caledonian Society at the Embro Community Centre, the Games brought together competitors and spectators for another fantastic day of Highland tradition. Despite an extreme heat wave that saw temperatures soar past +40°C amid high humidity, everyone still enjoyed a full day of piping and drumming competitions, heavyweight events, highland dancing, live music, plen

The Kingsville Highland Games made a welcome return to the PPBSO competition circuit after a one-year hiatus, marking the 4th sanctioned competition of the 2026 season. The event was held at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens, a new venue that provided a fantastic setting for the day’s activities, and the weather was absolutely perfect! While Kingsville is one of the farther locations in the competition circuit, there was a great turnout for solos, reflecting the commitment and ent

The 62nd Northumberland Scottish Festival & Highland Games in Port Hope was a fantastic day from start to finish. The weather couldn't have been better, with warm temperatures and a cool breeze that kept everyone comfortable throughout the day. One of the noticeable improvements this year was the new band entrance, which made it much easier for players to move around the grounds and get where they needed to be quickly. It was also great to see so many spectators and fellow m

The Judges Corner is an educational series in which accredited PPBSO judges share insights and tips to help competitors improve their performances. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, this advice aims to clarify what judges focus on and support your growth as a musician. PIPING TIP #1 - Brad Davidson PPBSO "A" Piobaireachd & "B" Solo Piping Judging Accreditation For solo pipers, as you move up the ranks into Grades 1 and even 2, and most certainly into senior

The 51st Annual Georgetown Highland Games took place yesterday at the Georgetown Fairgrounds, once again attracting huge crowds with long lines at the gates. The weather was perfect, with hot temperatures and beautiful sunshine creating an ideal setting for the day. Just as we saw at last weekend's Hamilton Highland Gathering, the Georgetown Highland Games saw a growth in solo registrations, particularly in the piping competitions. The contests were held throughout the fairgr

The sounds of bagpipes and drums once again echoed through the streets of downtown Hamilton as the 2nd Annual Hamilton Highland Gathering welcomed competitors and spectators for a spectacular day celebrating Scottish music and tradition. Serving as the official kickoff to the PPBSO outdoor competition season, the Hamilton Highland Gathering has quickly established itself as one of Ontario's most unique events. Unlike a traditional Highland Games held in a park or fairgrounds,

Kingsville Highland Games - Where Scottish Tradition Meets the Shores of Lake Erie! On July 27th, 2026, Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens will host the games, which is the only one of its kind in both the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions. Over the years, it has become a well-known cultural event celebrating the power, pride, and tradition of the Highlands. Kingsville is the 4th competition on the PPBSO’s schedule and is proud to offer sanctioned competitions in solo piping,

For the past 62 years, the Northumberland Scottish Festival and Highland Games have been celebrating Scottish traditions, and once again, the Port Hope Agricultural Park will come alive with Highland music, competition, and community spirit. Saturday, June 20th, will feature a full day of piping and drumming, with solo competitions beginning at 8:30 a.m., featuring competitors from across Ontario. View the Order of Play here. The Opening Ceremonies and Massed Bands will begin

2026 Ontario Highland Games Season Here we are on the brink of a new Summer season with the Hamilton Gathering only days away - followed by a string of competitions in succession. PPBSO Membership and competition entries are up again this year so we’re looking forward to a busy season. Solo entries at Hamilton are double from last year and Georgetown solo entries are up over 50% from one of their best years last year. Encouragingly, most of the increase in entries are in low

For generations, the Georgetown Highland Games has marked the unofficial start of summer! On Saturday, June 13th, 2026, the Georgetown Fairgrounds will once again transform into a celebration of Scottish culture, community, and tradition as the Georgetown Highland Games celebrates its 51st Anniversary. Established in 1975, the games have become one of Halton Hills most anticipated annual events. At the heart of the day is the unforgettable sound of pipes and drums, creating a

Get ready to celebrate the spirit of Scottish music and culture at the PPBSO Hamilton Highland Gathering OPEN Stage, presented in partnership with YOUR HEALTH Wellness Centre! This exciting mid-day showcase invites musicians of all ages and levels to take the stage and perform in the rich tradition of Scottish heritage. Whether you play the bagpipes, drums, fiddle, or bring your own unique twist! EVENT DETAILS Performances: 3–5 minutes Group Size: 1 to 3 performers Style: Sco

- Report by Brad Davidson, Vice President PPBSO A piobaireachd workshop was held in the Sergeants’ Mess of the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders in Hamilton, Ontario on Sunday May 10, the day after The Livingstone Memorial Invitational Piping Competition. As someone who has received piobaireachd instruction over many years starting with P/M Donald MacLeod and his protégé, Garth Neel, to Colin Maclellan, Ed Neigh, Willie Connell, and finally John Cairns, I can attest to the valu

The Hamilton Highland Gathering is a unique inner-city Piping & Drumming competition featuring both solo and band contests. This event is also the official kick-off to the PPBSO’s competition season, taking place on the first Saturday in June. The event takes place at the Scottish Rite Club, located on Queen Street South, and is one of Hamilton’s most recognizable historic landmarks. Beyond its stunning architecture and rich history, the property is also home to beautifully m

A great day of piping was had on Saturday at the 48th Livingstone Invitational held at the iconic officers mess of the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders Canada in Hamilton, Ontario. 2026 Overall winner Sean McKeown being presented his trophy and banner by Robert Wallace, President of the Piobaireachd Society, Malkie Bow, President of the PPBSO and Brittany Wright, President of the Niagara-Hamilton Branch of the PPBSO. The day was a roaring success with the morning seeing the co

In the world of pipe bands, there’s one group of people who rarely ask for recognition, yet somehow keep everything running smoothly from the sidelines… the Pipe Band Moms. They’re the ones standing at the edge of the competition circle or quietly off to the side during solos. They’re often seen pulling a wagon overflowing with pipes or drums as well as lawn chairs, and enough snacks to feed half the band, just in case someone forgot to pack a lunch. Pipe Band Moms are expert

With an all-star line up of players and a cracking panel of judges this coming Saturday's Livingstone promises to be a great day of piping. This years MC is our very own Bob Worrall. The days schedule, order of play and online tickets available HERE. (last chance to get online tickets for $20 is Wednesday. Tickets are $25 at the door.) With thanks to our major sponsors: Lillian Livingstone The Piobaireachd Society PPBSO PPBSO Niagara-Hamilton Branch

Special Master Class Piobaireachd Workshop May 10 in Hamilton The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) is pleased to announce a special Master Class Piobaireachd Workshop to be held on Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the historic John Foote Armouries in Hamilton, Ontario. This unique educational event will take place in the storied band room of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Pipes and Drums, offering participants a rare opportunity to l