The Scottish Piping Society of London is a Society of
bagpipers, formed in 1932. The Society aims to support and promote the heritage of Scottish Highland bagpiping.
Since 1932 the Society has held an annual competition, with the original event consisting of the
ceol mor (
piobaireachd
Pibroch, or is an art music genre associated primarily with the Scottish Highlands that is characterised by extended compositions with a melodic theme and elaborate formal variations. Strictly meaning "piping" in Scottish Gaelic, has for some f ...
), and
ceol beag, as well as two dancing events.
Previous annual competitions have been held at venues including Kensington Town Hall,
Glazier's Hall and
Hampton Court
Hampton Court Palace is a Grade I listed royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, southwest and upstream of central London on the River Thames. The building of the palace began in 1514 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the chief ...
. The current home of the annual competition is
The Caledonian Club
The Caledonian Club is a private club founded in 1891. It is located at 9 Halkin Street SW1, near Belgrave Square, Belgravia, London.
History
Founded in 1892 as a proprietary club, the Caledonian Club as it is today was formed in 1917 under ...
in Belgravia (London). The historic competition is a prestigious annual event in the solo piping calendar, attracting the top solo bagpipers from across the world to competition each November. The highest honour is the
Bratach Gorm event, which is only available to those who have won the Highland Society of London's Gold Medal at
the Argyllshire Gathering (Oban) or
the Northern Meeting (Inverness) or former winners of the Gillies Cup.
The last competitor to win the Bratach Gorm (2019) was Callum Beaumont.
As well as the annual competition, the Society runs member competitions, recitals and a 'Strictly Come Piping' social event each December. Additionally, the Society runs the piping events at the Harpenden Highland Games each September.
The society has over 200 members.
Iverach McDonald was amongst its notable alumni.
References
{{Reflist, 3
Music organisations based in the United Kingdom
Bagpipe societies