World class SOLO pipe MUSIC

The Argyllshire Gathering Piping Competition 2026 takes place in Oban, Argyll on Wednesday 26 August and Thursday 27 August 2025.

Over two days of piping excellence, hundreds of pipers from Scotland, across the UK and internationally will compete in the world's foremost solo piping competition.

Whether your interest is in the Piobaireachd (the Ceòl mór or classical music of the great highland bagpipe) or the Ceòl beag (light music including marches and strathspeys, reels and jigs), this is an unbeatable chance to hear some of the world's best solo pipers in action.

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The Argyllshire Gathering was founded in 1871 with a piobearachd prize first awarded in 1873 to piper D S MacDonald. The Highland Society of London first awarded their Gold Medal in 1875 to piper John MacBean. The competition has since grown in numbers and international prestige.

For solo pipers around the world, the annual Argyllshire Gathering is the pinnacle of the piping competition year.

Nestled between the World Pipe Band Championships and the Northern Meeting in Inverness, over 200 pipers enter to compete in Oban.

How to apply to enter online R

Latest news

2026 Piping Competition - entries now open

November 19, 2025

Pipers can now submit their entries online for the 2026 Argyllshire Gathering Piping Competition.

Read moreR

Lochnell Championship 2025 Results

October 14, 2025

The prestigious Lochnell Intermediate championship for solo pipers aged under 22 was held on October 10th at Lochnell Castle in Argyll, courtesy the Earl of Dundonald.

Read moreR

World Class Piping

the world's foremost solo piping competition

The first day of the Competition sees the Piobaireachd competitions at indoor venues across Oban. Highlights include the Senior Piobaireachd Competition, The Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal, The Argyllshire Gathering Silver Medal and the MacGregor Memorial Competition for young pipers.

On day two the focus turns to the Ceòl beag - light music - with competitions held at The Argyllshire Gathering’s Oban Games. The Games open with a band of the competing pipers marching through Oban to Mossfield Park, where the competitions continue all day.

Find out more about the Piping Competition hereR

How to Enter the competitions

Pipers first establish their eligibility to enter the competitions - as advised by the Joint Committee of the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting.

Pipers complete the online entry application by 31 January for the senior competitions.

Acceptance of a piper's entry will be confirmed by email from the Argyllshire Gathering's Piping Steward by March.

Pipers subsequently pay the entry fee online (if applicable) and update their application online with their tune selection by 31 July.

Enter the Piping Competition hereR

COMPETITION NEWS

Catch the latest Competition news below, or browse all articles on our News page. Piping Competition News pageR

2026 Piping Competition - entries now open

November 19, 2025

Pipers can now submit their entries online for the 2026 Argyllshire Gathering Piping Competition.

Read moreR

Lochnell Championship 2025 Results

November 18, 2025

The prestigious Lochnell Intermediate championship for solo pipers aged under 22 was held on October 10th at Lochnell Castle in Argyll, courtesy the Earl of Dundonald.

Read moreR