The CLASP

‼‼ UPCOMING CLASP EVENTS ‼‼

Ready to compete?🎶

THE CLASP adult amateur solo piping competitions are officially open for entries! Swipe through to check out our upcoming summer line-up:

🌟 June 6th: National Piping Centre, Glasgow (Sign up by May 24th)
🌟 July 4th: Luss Highland Games (Sign up by June 17th)
🌟 July 21st: Inveraray Highland Games (Sign up by July 12th)

🏆 Events include: Piobaireachd, 2/4 March, Strathspey & Reel, and Jig (NPC only). Open to Grades 1, 2, and 3/4.

Secure your spot now at theclasp.co.uk 🔗

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for The CLASP in Conversation with Fiona McConnochie last night!

It was a fantastic session on Performance Psychology, with plenty of useful advice, practical tips and honest discussion around handling nerves, pressure and competition performance.

Thanks again to Fiona for such an engaging and insightful talk, and to everyone who signed up and took part in the conversation.

We are announcing the results on the 26th of May at 12:30!

Join Fiona McConnochie a week today! On the 10th of May at 7pm (UK time) for a relaxed and practical session on Performance Psychology — packed with tips to help pipers, drummers and bands manage nerves, stay focused and perform with confidence.

📅 Sunday 10th May 2026
🕖 7pm (UK time)
💷 £7.50

Can’t make it live? No problem — all sign-ups receive the recording.

Sign up before 4pm on Friday 8th May:
https://theclasp.co.uk/eventsinfo/the-clasp-in-conversation-with-fiona-mcconnochie/

Good Luck Everyone! 🏆

The CLASP in Conversation with Fiona McConnochie

Feeling the pressure before a competition? You’re not alone.

Join Fiona McConnochie on Sunday 10th May at 7pm (UK time) for a relaxed and practical session on Performance Psychology — packed with tips to help pipers, drummers and bands manage nerves, stay focused and perform with confidence.

📅 Sunday 10th May 2026
🕖 7pm (UK time)
💷 £7.50

Can’t make it live? No problem — all sign-ups receive the recording.

Sign up before 4pm on Friday 8th May:
https://theclasp.co.uk/eventsinfo/the-clasp-in-conversation-with-fiona-mcconnochie/

Tomorrow's the last day to sign up to the CLASP May 'Live Online' Competition.

Win an international development opportunity to compete at the Sunbelt Invitational in Florida 🇺🇸

Find out more: www.theclasp.co.uk

Steven Leask is our last judge to add to the panel for the May 'Live Online' Competition.

Originally from Irvine, Ayrshire, Steven began piping at the age of 10, receiving early instruction from John Easdale and Willie Gilmour. He now studies with Willie McCallum, under whom he has worked for nearly 15 years.

Steven has enjoyed significant success in recent seasons. In 2025, he won the Highland Society of London Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering, securing his invitation to compete at the Glenfiddich Solo Piping Competition, alongside placing 4th in the Gold Medal and 5th in the A Grade MSR at the Northern Meeting. He also secured both the Open Piobaireachd and overall title at Blair Atholl Highland Games, where he is a multiple-time winner of the Open MSR. Other highlights include winning the Open Piobaireachd at Inveraray Highland Games and taking the overall A Grade title at the Captain John MacLellan Memorial in 2024.

He has also had a successful pipe band career, playing with Strathclyde Police Pipe Band and later Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band until 2019.

Outwith piping, Steven holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Strathclyde and works as an architect in Glasgow.

We’re delighted to have Steven join the judging panel.

We’re pleased to announce that Sarah Muir will be joining the judging panel for the May 'Live Online' Competition.

A native of Campbeltown, Argyll, Sarah began piping at the age of 10 under the guidance of Ian McKerral, later studying with leading figures including Jim Henderson, Stuart Samson, Glenn Brown and, for the past 15 years, Willie McCallum. She is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, completing a BA (Hons) in Scottish Music – Piping in 2013, and now works as an Instrumental Music Instructor (Bagpipes) with Fife Council.

Sarah has built an impressive record in solo competition in recent years. Her achievements include winning the A MSR at the Northern Meeting (2025), the P MSR at the Captain John MacLellan Memorial (2025 and 2019), and the MSR at the Uist & Barra (2024 and 2020). She has also claimed the A Marches at the Argyllshire Gathering and the prestigious Dunvegan Medal in 2019.

Alongside her solo career, Sarah has performed with several leading pipe bands, including Inveraray and District Pipe Band and Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band, with whom she won the World Pipe Band Championships in 2015.

We’re delighted to have Sarah bring her experience and expertise to this competition.