Another successful year for the Hamilton Highland Gathering!
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- 3 min read
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, the gathering transforms the historic grounds of The Scottish Rite and the surrounding Hess Village into a vibrant celebration of piping and drumming in the heart of the city. The combination of beautiful gardens, historic architecture, and Hamilton's entertainment district creates an atmosphere unlike any other competition on the Ontario circuit.
The rain held off, and the day unfolded under beautiful sunny skies, creating the perfect backdrop for competitors to showcase their talents and for visitors to enjoy the music, entertainment, and festivities throughout the day. This year's crowds were even larger than last year, and the continued success of the gathering demonstrates both the strength of the piping and drumming community and the appeal of bringing Scottish culture into the centre of downtown Hamilton.
One of the biggest highlights of the day was the tremendous increase in solo competitors. Solo piping and drumming entries were way up this year, particularly in the Under 19 categories, showcasing an exciting new generation of musicians dedicated to preserving and advancing these traditions. We would like to give a special thank you to our judges for their invaluable assistance and dedication. Their efforts behind the scenes and throughout the competitions helped make the day possible and ensured a great experience for all competitors.
Solo Piping – Light Music Judges
Tyler Harris
Trish Kirkwood
John A. Elliott
Dylan Whittemore
Jamie P. Blacklock
Solo Piping – Piobaireachd Judges
Ian K. MacDonald
Michael Wm Grey
Calum MacDonald
Snare & Midsection Judges
Drew Duthart
John M. Rowe
In the afternoon, the competition circle featured an impressive lineup representing communities across Ontario, as well as an international visitor from New York State.
Competing bands included:
The Spirit of Ontario Pipe Band
Mohawk Valley Frasers (Rome, New York)
The quality of performances throughout the afternoon made for exciting competition and demonstrated the depth of talent within the province and beyond.
Congratulations to the winners of this year's championship trophies:
The Donald Pringle Memorial Cup – Guelph Pipe Band
The Hamilton Police Service Bowl – Mohawk Valley Frasers
The Scottish Rite of Hamilton Bowl – Peel Regional Police Pipe Band
We would also like to recognize the outstanding work of our band judging panel:
Piping 1: Tyler Harris
Piping 2: John A. Elliott
Drumming: Drew Duthart
Ensemble: Michael Wm Grey
Open Stage is a new event introduced this year, sponsored by Your Health Wellness Centre. This addition to the entertainment lineup aimed to celebrate musical creativity and provide performers of all ages and backgrounds with the opportunity to showcase their talents. The competition featured four categories, with winners chosen by audience votes, creating an engaging and interactive experience for spectators.
The Open Stage winners were:
Best Performance: Brodick Ewing, Charlie McKeown and Austin Gayler
Most Creative: Greg Bowen
Best Traditional: Ryan Seigmiller
Best Youth: Brodick Ewing, Charlie McKeown and Austin Gayler
What makes the Hamilton Highland Gathering special is that it is more than simply a competition, it’s a community event that brings together musicians, families, visitors, and local businesses in a uniquely urban setting. Throughout the day, the sounds of pipes and drums carried through the historic grounds of The Scottish Rite before extending into Hess Village, creating an atmosphere that celebrated Scottish heritage while showcasing Hamilton's vibrant downtown.
An event of this scale is only possible through the dedication and generosity of many individuals and organizations. We would like to sincerely thank our sponsors, whose support helps make this event possible each year. We are also grateful to The Scottish Rite and Hess Village for providing such outstanding venues, and also a special thank you to the Hamilton Police Service for helping keep competitors, volunteers, and spectators safe throughout the afternoon.
Finally, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the organizing committee, volunteers, stewards, judges, competitors, bands, and the many supporters whose dedication and hard work helped make the 2026 Hamilton Highland Gathering a resounding success. Their efforts continue to strengthen and grow this outstanding event, celebrating the traditions of piping, drumming, and Scottish culture in the heart of downtown Hamilton.
Photos: Nathan Nguyen & Anne Seigmiller
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