The 2026 Glengarry Highland Games was a huge success!
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
The 2026 Glengarry Highland Games took place last weekend in Maxville ON, and they were as incredible as ever! It was another fantastic two days filled with solo competitions, pipe bands, great music and plenty of Highland spirit.
Friday got things started with warm, sunny skies for the Amateur Solo competitions that saw high registrations numbers and many talented performances across all grades of piping and drumming.
Overall Amateur Winners Amateur Piper: Greg Bowen Amateur Drummer: Cole Chisholm
Amateur Solo Judges
Piping – Light Music
Bob Warrall
John Elliott
Barry Donaldson
Michael Grey
Ross Brown
Trish Kirkwood
Joseph Biggs
Jim McGillivray
Piping – Piobaireachd
Peter Aumonier
Glenna MacKay-Johnstone
Bob Warrall
Jim McGillivray
Michael Grey
Snare & Midsection
Paul Turner
David Fenton
Kahlil Cappuccino
John Rowe
The Piobaireachd Society Gold Medal (Canada) contest also took place on Friday and this year also marks the 50th anniversary! The original founders of the contest were Captain John MacLellan and Major Archie Cairns, so to mark this special occasion, both their sons Colin MacLellan and John Cairns were invited to judge alongside Dr Angus MacDonald.
Piobaireachd Society Gold Medal (Canada) Results
1st - Jean-Sébastien Gamache
2nd - Andrew Hutton
3rd - Aidan Bowen
4th - Michael MacDonald
5th - Gillian Blaney
Bar to the Piobaireachd Society Gold Medal (Canada) Results
Judges: Ed Bush, John Cairns, Dr. Angus MacDonald
1st - Bruce Gandy
2nd - Ian K. MacDonald
3rd - Sean McKeown
The evening wrapped up under starry skies with the ever-popular Tattoo, featuring pipe bands, traditional Scottish music and highland dancing. The show ended with a crowd pleasing massed bands and a fantastic fireworks display. Saturday morning offered cooler temps, and thankfully the rain held off for the Professional Solo competitions. Overall Professional Winners Professional Piper: Sean McKeown Professional Drummer: Kyle Wardell
Professional Solo Judges
Piping – Light Music
Bob Warrall
John Elliott
Barry Donaldson
Michael Grey
Piping – Piobaireachd
Dr. Angus MacDonald
Snare & Midsection
Paul Turner
Micheal Hunter
Kahlil Cappuccino
In the afternoon, the crowds gathered to watch North American Pipe Band Championships with a total of 52 bands competing across three band circles. North American Pipe Band Championships 1st Place Overall Results
Grade 1 Overall - 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band Medley - 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band Set - 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band
Grade 2 Overall - Ulster Scottish Pipe Band Medley - Ulster Scottish Pipe Band Set - Ulster Scottish Pipe Band
Grade 3 Overall - The Commonwealth Pipes and Drums Medley - The College of Piping Pipe Band Set - The Commonwealth Pipes and Drums
Grade 4 - Durham Regional Police Pipes & Drums
Grade 5 - Kingston Police Pipe Band
Juvenile - Capital District Youth Pipe Band
Band Judges
Piping: Barry Donaldson, Glenna MacKay-Johnstone, John Elliott, Joseph Biggs, Amy Garson, Trish Kirkwood, Ross Davison, Colin MacLellan, Brian Williamson
Drumming: Paul Turner, Michael Hunter, Joe Kiah, Daniel Bist,
Ensemble: Bob Worrall, Colin MacLellan, Daniel Bist, John Elliott, Jim McGillivray, Paul Turner
The weekend ended with one of the biggest highlights of the games, the closing Massed Bands. Once again, the massed bands were led by Emma Bar, the World Champion Drum Major with Northern Ireland’s Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band. With an incredible 1,440 pipers and drummers on the field, it was an amazing sight and a fantastic way to wrap up another memorable Glengarry Highland Games.
We couldn’t have asked for a better weekend without the incredible people behind the scenes and on the field. Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen, from our PPBSO staff, volunteers, stewards and judges to the Glengarry Highland Games Committee.
Also, a huge thank you to all of the competitors and bands who made the trip to Maxville to take part in the Games! Your hard work, energy, and dedication brought the event to life, and the incredible music you shared throughout the weekend made it a memorable experience for everyone. We truly appreciate you being there and helping make the Games such a great success!
Photos: Lindsay McIntosh & Iain Ogilvie Photography