A piper from Fife made history after being crowned the overall winner of Glenfiddich Piping Championship for the second year in a row.
The competition has been running for 51 years and for the first time in that history, 10 first-place qualifiers were invited to vie for the prestigious title.
Callum Beaumont came out on top and was named the overall winner for the second year in a row at the event at Blair Castle in Perthshire.
Competitors at the event have to be invited to take part and it is the premier competition for solo bagpipers from around the world.
The event is organised by The National Piping Centre and funded by the William Grant Foundation to celebrate piping excellent, tradition and expertise.
As well as being the overall winner for the second time, Mr Beaumont was also named the March, Strathspey and Reel competition champion while Stuart Liddell from Inverary – who was second overall – was first place in the Piobaireachd.
Texas-native Nick Hudson was third overall, while Ian Duncan was awarded the Balvenie Medal for services to piping. It was the 40th presentation of this medal and was awarded for his work in Perthsire, where he has taugh and led the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band.
Overall winner Callum Beaumont said: "Between getting married in the summer and taking this title, this has been the best year of my life. To come out overall winner has really topped off an amazing year personally and professionally.”
The National Piping Centre’s Director of Piping, Finlay MacDonald, said: “It’s a testament to the depth of talent and dedication in the piping world that we had ten exceptional first-place qualifiers this year and Callum Beaumont is a very worthy winner, impressively securing the title for the second consecutive year.
“The Glenfiddich Piping Championship remains the pinnacle of solo piping competitions, representing the very best in piping talent from around the world. We thank everyone who has supported this Championship over the past 51 years.”
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Mr Duncan was also a judge for the competition, alongside Murray Henderson and John Wilson for the Piobaireachd section while Iain MacFadyen BEM, Dr Angus MacDonald and Richard Parkes MBE judged the March, Strathspey and Reel.
The Glenfiddich Piping Championship will return on Saturday 25th October 2025 at Blair Castle. Tickets will be available from summer 2025. Visit www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/glenfiddich.
The Glenfiddich Piping Championship 2024 results:
Overall
Winner: Callum Beaumont
Second Place: Stuart Liddell
Third Place: Nick Hudson
Piobaireachd
Winner: Stuart Liddell
Second Place: Finlay Johnston
Third Place: Callum Beaumont
MSR
Winner: Callum Beaumont
Second Place: Alasdair Henderson
Third Place: Nick Hudson
The Glenfiddich Piping Championship 2024 competitors:
● Callum Beaumont, Guardbridge
● Chris Armstrong, Glasgow
● Alan Bevan, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
● Cameron Drummond, Edinburgh
● Alasdair Henderson, Edinburgh
● Nick Hudson, Texas, USA
● Finlay Johnston, Glasgow
● Stuart Liddell MBE, Inveraray
● Roddy MacLeod MBE, Glasgow
● Craig Sutherland, Creiff
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