The hills of Perthshire were resounding to the skirl of the pipes at the weekend as finalists in the Glenfiddich Piping Championships fought it out for the coveted title of Champion of Champions 2010.
The competition, which took place in the historic setting of Blair Castle in this its 37th year, saw Angus MacColl of Benderloch, Oban win the title.
Participants from around the world had all worked hard to earn their place at the contest, having competed in respected piping championships throughout the year.
The event was particularly special for Kirriemuir’s Faye Henderson.
At the age of just 18 she was not only the youngest ever competitor to take part in the piping championships but also the first female participant in 20 years.
Established in 1974 with the aim of inspiring and stimulating the world’s finest individual pipers, the contest ultimately seeks the best overall exponents of two areas of piping-ceol mor and ceol beag.
Ceol mor the great music is the ancient or classical music played on the highland bagpipe, while ceol beag is the little music, which is the marches, reels, jigs, retreats and strathspeys usually played by pipe bands.
Meanwhile, this weekend also saw the Glenfiddich Fiddle Championships. Now in its 21st year, the fiddle contest boasted an entirely home-grown field.
Nicola Auchnie from Turiff was crowned winner. Shetland’s Maggie Adamson was second and Graham MacKenzie of Inverness, third.
Blair Castle is seen as the perfect place to celebrate Scotland’s traditional music. The ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl, it enjoys one of the most beautiful settings in the country.