Jack Lee wins the 44th Glenfiddich Piping Championship
SATURDAY saw the 44th edition of the world’s most prestigious solo piping competition, the Glenfiddich Piping Championship, at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Perthshire.
This year’s competition was won overall by Jack Lee from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. To claim this year’s title, he took first in the Piobaireachd and second in the March, Strathspey and Reel (MSR) events. Benderloch’s Angus MacColl took second in the piobaireachd, coming third overall.
Speaking about his win Jack Lee said: ‘Solo competitors are part of a close knit community where we often play and compete in events across the country. From this experience, we all know how tough competing in the Glenfiddich Championship is going to be, as it is performing at the highest level in piping. Each player has worked hard and won other events to earn their place here, so to win amongst such talent is an incredible honour.’
The Glenfiddich Piping Championship was established in 1974 to bring together the world’s finest pipers and witness some of the finest renditions of the ancient and traditional piobaireachd or ceol mor (the great music) and light music or ceol beag (the little music).
The 10 competitors are invited to play as a result of having won prestigious accolades at other piping events during the last year. So all the competitors are already champions before coming to Blair Atholl, but competing at the Glenfiddich is seen as solo piping’s ultimate prize.
Presenting the prizes was Bill Gordon, eldest son of Sandy Grant Gordon, a driving force behind the event, who said: ‘It’s incredibly humbling that this event is so highly regarded by both the musicians and the thousands of piping enthusiasts who enjoy watching it every year.
‘ It’s a privilege to witness incredible piping talent in such a beautiful and historic setting like Blair Castle. My congratulations go to all who have taken part this year.’
The event was livestreamed to people across the world, including viewers in the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa.