Sponsorship & Award Feedback
The following feedback was received from those who received a sponsorship award from the Trust. If you’re interested in sponsorship, please find out how to get funded. Our sub-group carefully considers all submissions.
The Raasay Restitution Competition
Piobaireachd and its close association with Gaelic song and Dance Music (the strathspeys, reels and Jigs) and their inextricable links to the Hard Shoe Percussive Step Dance.Lewis & Harris Piping Society 2026
I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to you for your generous support of our junior piping competition. Your sponsorship plays an essential role in making this event possible and provides invaluable encouragement to our young pipers as they develop their skills and confidence. Thanks to your contribution, we are able to create a rewarding and inspiring experience that supports the growth of the next generation. We are truly grateful for your continued support.
The Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE Junior Competition 2026
This was the fourth year of this competition for the eight most promising pipers in the Western Isles, presented in a similar format to the adult competition. The judges for this competition were Iain MacCrimmon and Craig Muirhead. The competitors this year were Calum Beaton, Ruairidh Cowan, Fraser Laurie, Ian Alex MacDonald, Domhnall Eachann MacLean, Patrick MacLean, Calum MacNeil and Katie Macrae. Domnall Eachann MacLean was the winner of the piobaireachd and Calum Macneil won the MSR and the overall trophy. Well done to them all!
Pipe Major Donald MacLeod MBE Memorial Competition 2026
The GDMT has supported this competition since 2013 and this year 2026 was the 30th year of this very special competition. PM Donald MacLeod was born in Stornoway in 1916 and was one of the most famous pipers of the 20th Century. He was also a prolific composer of pipe tunes, not unlike Gordon Duncan himself.
This was a special day of music on a par with the Glenfiddich Competition but with a ceilidh setting and atmosphere. Where one of the players had ‘Happy Birthday’ sung to him by the audience before he played his hornpipe and jig! And won that competition!
The eight competitors this year were Callum Beaument, Ben Duncan, Alasdair Henderson, Finlay Johnston, Steven Leask, Stuart Liddell, Angus MacColl and Brodie Watson-Massey. The winner this year, of both the Ceol Mor and the March, Strathspey and Reel was Finlay Johnstone. The winner of the Hornpipe and Jig was Ben Duncan. The judges this year were Patricia Henderson, Murray Henderson and Alan Forbes and the Fear-an-Taighe was John Wilson. The trophies were presented by Pipe Major Donald MacLeod’s daughters, Susan and Fiona. Both with wonderful tunes named after them.
A superb competition which the GDMT are proud to support.
Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships 2026
The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships 2026 were held at the William McIlvanney Campus in Kilmarnock on Sunday the 8th March 2026. The Freestyle Competition was sponsored by the Trust and won by Strathmore Schools Pipe Band.
Pictured below, the Lewis and Harris Youth Pipe Band playing at the competition beside our sponsorship banner.
