The CLASP

Throwing it back to this incredible moment when Jean-Sébastien Gamache of the Ottawa Highlanders took home the title of overall winner at The CLASP Grade 1 World Amateur Solo Piping Championships in 2023! 🏆 He walked away with the coveted silver medal and secured his spot in the Champion of Champions.

Now, the question is... who will take the crown this year?

👉 Get all the details and prep for this year's event here: https://theclasp.co.uk/eventsinfo/piping-live-2025-clasp-world-amateur-solo-piping-competition/

☀️ A fantastic day of piping at Inveraray Highland Games! 🎶

📍 Inveraray Highland Games
📅 Tuesday 21 July 2026

We were blessed with outstanding weather for our second outdoor competition of the year, with plenty of sunscreen and water needed throughout the day 🌞 !

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, with 21 entries across the competition and 18 pipers competing in Grades 1, 2 and 3. Congratulations to all our competitors for their performances, and a special thank you to Dr Andrew Bova for judging all Light Music and Piobaireachd events.

We’d also like to extend our thanks to Brian and Pamela Spalding (Piping Convenor) for their support in helping make the day such a success.

👏 Well done to everyone involved!

Entries are now open for the CLASP Solo Piping Competition at Chatsworth Country Fair!

Join us on Saturday 5 September for a day of solo piping at one of the UK's most popular piping events, held in the beautiful grounds of Chatsworth House.

If you're competing or coming along to support, the Chatsworth Country Fair offers a fantastic weekend for all the family, with displays, attractions, food and entertainment alongside the piping competitions.

📅 CLASP Solo Piping event: Saturday 5 September 2026
📝 Entries close: Friday 14 August

Enter now and find out more and register here:
🎟️ https://rspbalondon.org/2026-chatsworth

🍀 Good luck everyone!

Take a look at the schedule for the CLASP at Piping Live!

Ready to bring your best tunes to the global stage and go head-to-head with top amateur players? Here is how the week is shaping up:

📅 The Competition Lineup
Monday 10th August: Grades 3 & 4
Events: Piobaireachd, 2/4 March, Strathspey & Reel, Jig

Tuesday 11th August: Grade 2
Events: Piobaireachd, 2/4 March, Strathspey & Reel, Jig

Wednesday 12th August: Grade 1
Events: Piobaireachd, MSR, Hornpipe & Jig

All of the competitions will take place at our Otago Street venue and it's completely free to attend!

Entries are open until the 2nd of August.

Results from The Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers (CLASP)
LUSS Games - Saturday 4th July 2026

A great day of piping at Luss Games, despite persistent rain through most of the competition. Twelve entries were received for our first outdoor CLASP event of the season, with ten pipers competing across Grades 1, 2 and 3.

William Morrison adjudicated all Light Music and Piobaireachd.

Thanks to Arthur Ross, Piping Convenor, and the organisers at Luss Games for their support and hospitality.

We are thrilled to share a groundbreaking international partnership! The National Piping Centre has teamed up with the Shanghai Highland Games to bring The CLASP to Asia for the very first time.

Taking place on Saturday, 12th September, this historic collaboration establishes a structured competitive pathway for amateur pipers across the continent, removing the need for long-distance travel to the UK or Americas.

Beyond the competition, the NPC team will be delivering educational workshops, school outreach, and community sessions in both Shanghai and Hong Kong to help foster the region's vibrant piping scene.

Adult competitors can register today via the official website at theclasp.co.uk/eventsinfo/shanghai-highland-games-2026/

On Sunday we were joined by Patricia Henderson for a brilliant CLASP in Conversation online session 🎶

Patricia gave us a look behind the judging table: what she listens for, what stands out, and simple ways players can lift their performances in competition. She also shared stories from her own journey as a competitor, teacher, and now senior judge at the highest level.

Thanks to everyone who tuned in, and a big thank you to Patricia for sharing her time and insights!

The CLASP three days. Four grades. One World Amateur Solo Piping Competition. 🏆

The CLASP competitions return to Piping Live! this August, bringing together adult amateur pipers from around the world to compete at the National Piping Centre.

📅 Monday 10 August – Grades 3 & 4
📅 Tuesday 11 August – Grade 2
📅 Wednesday 12 August – Grade 1

📍 The National Piping Centre, Otago Street, Glasgow

Sign up to take part www.theclasp.co.uk

Our next CLASP in Conversation takes place tomorrow 🗣️

Join the legendary Patricia Henderson for a fascinating look at competing from the other side of the judges’ bench. A senior piobaireachd judge and one of the first women to compete at the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting, Patricia will share her own criteria, insights and practical tips to help elevate your performance.

From making history as a solo competitor to adjudicating the Gold Clasp, Senior Piobaireachd and Glenfiddich Championship, Patricia brings decades of experience to this special online event.

📅 Sunday 28 June
⏰ 7pm (UK time)
💻 Online via Zoom
🎥 Recording available on demand to all who register
🎟️ £7.50

Open to all CLASP members. Sign up now via: https://theclasp.co.uk/eventsinfo/the-clasp-in-conversation-with-patricia-henderson/