Piping & Drumming Competition

Competitions take place on both Saturday, July 12th and Sunday, July 13th from 9am-5pm.

Registration will open April 20th.

The sound is unmistakable, and the lore of the instrument deeply woven into the very fabric of Scottish and Irish traditions and culture. To some, the Great Highland Bagpipe is a cultural totem evoking images of warlike tartan-kilt-wearing Highlanders, bravely leading the soldiers into battle. While it is true that is part of the instrument's history, the pipes have a rich and complex musical tradition that will be on full display at the Skagit Valley Highland Games.

Individual pipers and drummers participate in competitions where judges evaluate a player's skill, sound, musical expression and other factors. Players are grouped by skill level (not age) and perform a variety of tune types (marches, dance tunes, slow airs and classical piping pieces). In a similar fashion, pipe bands perform for judges as well and are judged as a group.

Competitors at the Skagit Valley Highland Games come from up and down the West Coast, the lower mainland of British Columbia, and other states and provinces to participate. We're especially pleased to welcome two Scottish adjudicators and champion players to assist with the competitions in 2025: Willie McCallum, Stuart Liddell, and Callum Beaumont.

Special Piping Competitions

Gordon Duncan Memorial Kitchen Piping Competition - Saturday
A solo piping competition to honor the legacy and music of Gordon Duncan. Open to grade 2, 1, and Open level pipers. An anything goes Freestyle piping event with a time limit of 5 minutes per player, minimal tuning permitted. Competitors must include at least one Gordon Duncan composition in their arrangement. Winners will be chosen based on a performance’s musical spirit, invention, and enthusiasm. Prizes - 1st: $500, 2nd: $350, 3rd: $200, 4th: $100, 5th: $50. Winner will be announced at Opening Ceremonies on Saturday.

Skye Jig Competition - Sunday
A solo piping competition to honor the founder of the Skagit Valley Highland Games, Skye Richendrfer. Open to pipers of any grade. Competitors may choose any one jig with a minimum of four parts. Tune to be played twice through. Competitors will march themselves off the platform with a tune of their choice. Prizes - 1st: $500, 2nd: $350, 3rd: $200, 4th: $100, 5th: $50. Winner will be announced at Opening Ceremonies on Sunday.