To further strengthen and promote the development of Piobaireachd in Australia, Pipe Bands Australia is implementing updated requirements for all Piobaireachd Solo Competitions.
These changes are intended to support increased participation in Piobaireachd across the country, while ensuring the art form continues to grow, evolve, and maintain a strong presence within our community.
As previously announced, the introduction of set tunes forms a key component of this initiative. This measure is specifically designed to encourage both competitors and tutors to engage deeply with a broad and representative repertoire of Piobaireachd. In doing so, it aims to preserve the tradition, safeguard essential knowledge, and ensure that future adjudicators possess the necessary experience, musical understanding, and familiarity with a significant body of tunes. This is essential to sustaining high standards and enhancing the quality and consistency of Piobaireachd performance and adjudication nationwide.
These changes will come into effect on 1 January 2026.
Pipe Bands Australia acknowledges the ongoing commitment of competitors, tutors, adjudicators, and supporters to the art of Piobaireachd and looks forward to continued growth in this important discipline.
Piobaireachd Set Tunes 2026
Reference note: PS = Piobaireachd Society book, K = Kilberry Book of Ceol Mor
Piobaireachd Set Tunes 2026. (#) denotes that Crunluath a’mach must be played
A & B Grades
A Grade = Submit 3 full tunes
B Grade = Submit 2 full tunes
- Nameless Hiharin dro or dro. PS4, K
- The Pride of Barra. PS5, K
- The King’s Taxes. PS5, K
- The Earl of Seaforth’s Salute. PS5, K
- Beloved Scotland. PS6, K
- The Macdonald’s are Simple. PS9
- The Battle of Bealach nam Brog. PS9
- Lament for Captain Donald McKenzie. PS15
- Lament for the Castle of Dunyveg. PS1
- The Rout of Glenfruin. PS8, K
- Farewell to the Laird of Islay. PS9
- Lament for the Iolaire. Donald Macleod Piob 2019 edition
- Lament for John Morrison of Assynt House. Donald Macleod Piob 2019 edition
- Marquis of Argyll’s Salute. PS10
C, D & Novice Grades
C Grade = Full tune (tune selected from below list)
D Grade = Ground and next Variation. (tune selected from below list)
Note the idea is to play the ground plus one variation in total. Therefore if the Ground has a thumb variation for example, then the thumb would suffice as the variation. If there is a Ground followed by a variation with Singling and a Doubling, only the Singling is required to be played.
Novice = Play the entire ground (tune selected from below list)
- Sir James MacDonald of the Isles Lament. PS 7, K
- Lament for Alasdair Dearg McDonnell of Glengarry. PS 14, K.
- Company’s Lamen.t PS 1
- Glengarry’s Lament. K
- Little Spree. PS 7
- K.Glen is Mine. PS 6, K
- Old Woman’s Lullaby. PS 4, K
- MacFarlane’s Gathering. PS 4, K
- Too Long in this Condition. PS 7, K
- Struan Robertson’s Salute. PS 8, K
- Catherine’s Lament. PS 5,K
- Black Donald’s March. PS 3,K
- Corrienessan’s Salute. PS 8, K
- Massacre of Glencoe. PS 6, K
- You’re Welcome, Ewen Lochiel. PS 2, K
- Lament for Mary MacLeod. PS 5, K
- Lament for MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart No. 1. PS 6, K
- The MacLeod’s Salute (Rowing Piobaireachd). PS 12, K
- The Groat. PS 1, K
- The Munro’s Salute. PS 11
- Salute to Donald. PS 8, K
- Proud to Play a Pipe. PS 6, K
- Queen Elizabeth II Salute, Donald Macleod Complete Works. p25
- Caber Feidh Gu Brath, Donald Macleod Complete Works. p26
