Taking on the world
Solo championship
Strath piping sensation Connor Sinclair will be taking on the best in the world this Saturday when he competes at the Glenfiddich Solo Piping Championship.
The competition was established in 1974 to inspire the world’s finest individual pipers and to seek the best overall exponents on Ceol Mor or Piobaireachd (the great music) and Ceol Beag or light music (the little music).
The prestigious event is held annually in the ballroom at Blair Castle.
Each year 10 competitors qualify to play by placing in one of a series of qualifying competitions.
In August, Connor won the Highland Society of London Gold Medal at the 2019 Northern Meeting at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, which earned him one of the 10 places.
The distinction also followed on from a win at the light music event at the Masters Competition at Piping Live on August 12.
Connor is the second Crieff piper, and former Comrie Pipe Band member, to compete at the Glenfiddich.
Craig Sutherland competed two years ago and came fourth in the March, Strathspey and Reel section.
Connor, who is a professional musician, is currently on tour with his band Gnoss.
The 23 year-old former Crieff High pupil has been at the top of his game for a while now.
He was part of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band that won the World Championships in 2014 and frequently performs for royalty and high-profile politicians.
Connor told the Herald: “I’m really looking forward to playing at Glenfiddich.
“It’s something I have always been aiming towards and I feel very privileged to be a part of this year’s competition.
“At the moment, I play whistles and flute in a folk band called Gnoss, and we are currently on tour around the UK. I am also about to start teaching at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow.”
The Glenfiddich Piping Championship begins at 10am and is being streamed live across the world.