In partnership with the Lower Clarence Scottish Association, the Queensland Highland Pipers Society are bringing Stuart Liddell to Brisbane for its April Recitals. The two groups have been working together now for over a decade to share the costs of bringing the worlds best pipers for the Highland Gathering every year, names such as Glenn Brown, Roddy Macleod, Alasdair Henderson, Callum Beaumont, just name a few.
Even in this part of world, Stuart Liddell is a megastar of the Piping World. As soloist he has won every major prize several times, including the Glenfiddich on 4 occasions. Stuart is bringing his young family for the trip, and will enjoy some “holiday time” in South East Queensland, no doubt enjoying some good weather, a swim at the beach, and no doubt being dragged to a couple of themes parks by his young children.
Stuart’s time will be spread across several events whilst he is here, including the Inaugural Pipe Major MacNeill’s Invitational contest at St Pauls Church on Saturday 12 April. The event will see ten of Australia’s young piping talent compete for the McNeill Claidhmhor Trophy across two elements, a March, Strathspey & Reel element, followed by a Scottish Hymn, Hornpipe and Jig. There will be a Ceilidh after this event and no doubt someone will try and persuade Stuart to give us a quick tune!
The main Brisbane event is the Recital at the Queensland Multicultural Centre in Kangaroo Point on Wednesday 16 April starting at 7pm. Tickets are selling out fast for this one, which is a brilliant venue for a recital. Stuart will be supported by some local emerging pipers, during the show, and will include a short Q&A session with Stuart about the 20th anniversary year of Inveraray & District Pipe Band, stories, successes, and challenges in those early years of forming the band.
One of the most gifted pipers in the world
The Lower Clarence Scottish Association is proud to announce that PM Stuart Liddell, one of the world’s premier pipers, will be visiting Maclean for the 2025 Maclean Highland Gathering, after guiding his band, Inverary & District Pipe Band, to success at the Grade One World Pipe Band Championships in 2024. PM Stuart Liddell hails from Inveraray, Scotland and started piping at the age of nine. Stuart was originally taught by his grandfather, the late Pipe Major Ronald McCallum M.B.E. and later, Arthur Gillies. He has also had tuition from Jim Henderson and Hugh MacCallum.
One of the most gifted pipers in the world today, he has won three Clasps at Inverness, the Senior Piobaireachd at Oban five times, both Gold Medals, is a three-time Glenfiddich Piping Champion and has won the Donald MacLeod Memorial in 2016 and, most recently, The Springbank Invitational in Campbeltown 2023. Stuart is founder and Pipe Major of the Inveraray & District Pipe Band, winners of the Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championship in 2017, 2019 and 2024. Previously he was a member of the Scottish Power Pipe Band for seven years, subsequently joining the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Vancouver, Canada with whom he played for ten years. The recital will be held at the Former Maclean Services Club 36-38 River Street, Maclean from 7.30 pm on Saturday 19th April 2025. The event is free, and no bookings are required. Do not miss this unique opportunity to hear one of the world’s best in person.
Tickets for the Inaugural Pipe Major MacNeill’s Invitational on April 12 can be ordered at: www.trybooking.com/au/event/1358482
Tickets for the QHPS International Piping Recital on April 16th can be ordered at: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1350374
The 120th Maclean Highland Gathering will take place April 18-19 (Easter weekend) in Maclean, NSW. For more details visit: www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au