The Piping Tradition in Blackford
Blackford Highland Games started on Saturday the 13th of August 1870 as a local event and public holiday. The first games, as reported by the Perthshire Constitutional and Journal of Thursday the 18th August 1870, comprised local competitors only with no piping or dancing. By 1873 the games had grown to become one of Perthshire’s premier events attracting national talent and large crowds. This change was probably brought about by the involvement of rich patrons who included Perthshire nobility and landed gentry, Members of Parliament and London stockbrokers.
The prize monies reflected the wealth of the patrons and in 1873 the 1st prize for Piobaireachd was 40 shillings, £2 then and about £120 allowing for inflation now. The relative value in comparison with today is more like £700! It was the largest prize of the day and was an indication of the importance of the piping competition.
The Dundee Advertiser of Tuesday the 15th of August 1882 reports- “Good weather produced a big turnout… The Running was well provided with athletes and keenly fought… But the chief interest was the piping and dancing… Better than at greater gatherings.” Blackford was, until after the 2nd World War, a major destination for solo pipers and Pipe Major Robert Reid regularly wrote of Blackford in his correspondence with the other solo players of the time. Amongst the winners at Blackford were Pipe Major William Ross (2nd Scots Guards), John MacColl, D.C. Mather, Donald MacPhee, Robert MacKinnon, Malcolm MacPherson, Pipe Major Duncan MacDougall of Aberfeldy and many more
Competitive piping in the form of the Junior Solo Piping Competition was reintroduced to the Blackford Highland Games in 2022, as a celebration of the 150th anniversary pf the games (delayed 2 years due to the Covid pandemic).
Junior Solo Piping Competition
The 2026 Junior solo piping competition has the following three events:
The competition is open to any child. Competitors in events two and three may not compete in event one and will be expected to wear appropriate Highland dress or school uniform. Competitors in events two and three must be aged 16 years or under on the 11th of September 2022. Competitors in event one will play a 2 parted Slow Air of their choice, they must also be a primary school pupil. In event two competitors will play either a 4 parted 2/4 march or two 2 parted 2/4 marches of their choice. Competitors in event three will play the ground only of a Piobaireachd of their choice. No fee is required but competitors are requested to apply at least a two weeks before the day of the competition to the games secretary David Robertson. Preference will be given to the oldest applicants.
Judges and officials may require proof of age and the judges will decide on eligibility to compete. The judges decisions are final. Winners are required to have their pictures taken with their trophies.
Registration
To register for the Junior Solo Piping Competition, apply by email to David Robertson, Secretary of the Blackford Highland Games Committee, secretary@blackfordhighlandgames.co.uk Mob: 07470 504126
Rules (2025)
The competition will comprise of three events. Event one is a practice chanter competition for primary school pupils only. The competitor will play a tune of their choice, preferably two-parted.
Event two is a 2/4 march competition. The competitor will play a 4-parted 2/4 march or two 2-parted 2/4 marches of their choice on the Great Highland Bagpipe. Highland dress or school uniform must be worn.
Event three is a Piobaireachd competition. The competitor will play a Piobaireachd in full of their choice on the Great Highland Bagpipe. Highland dress or school uniform must be worn. Competitors in events two and three must be 16 years old or under on the last day of the official Royal Scottish Highland Games Association season (Bowhill Highland Games, 14th September 2025).
Competitors in events two or three cannot enter event one. Entry to all events is free of charge. Older competitors will be given priority, the rest on a first come first served basis. Entries will be limited in number at the discretion of the organiser. Any event with too few competitors may be cancelled at the discretion of the organisers. The draw will be posted on the Blackford Highland Games Facebook/web page. All events will be held on Blackford Highland Games day, normally the last Saturday in May. Events one and two will take place in the morning. Events two and three will take place in the games park, weather permitting. Competitors must check the draw and report to piping stewards on arrival. Running times may vary so it is advisable that competitors arrive well in advance. It is the responsibility of competitors to maintain contact with their steward. Competitors should be ready to play when called upon to do so. All trophy and medal winners will be expected to have their photographs taken by the local press. Trophies remain the property of Blackford Highland Games, they will not be released without an appropriate adults signature. The winners and runners-up receive an engraved medal. The champions name will be engraved on the trophy only. Trophies must be returned to David Robertson (email: secretary@blackfordhighlandgames.co.uk) by the 1st of May 2026. Trophies not returned may incur a replacement charge of £150. The decision of the judges are final. For more information contact David Robertson, Secretary, Blackford Highland Games.