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Winter School is a rare opportunity to learn from some of the best players and the most creative instructors of Celtic music, while spending time in community with fellow musicians and music appreciators.
Learn MoreLearn MoreWinter School is an opportunity to learn tunes from some of the best players and the most inspiring instructors of Celtic music, spending time in community with fellow musicians and music appreciators, and just have fun!
The Piobaireachd classes will take place concurrently with the Kids' Highland Pipes and Drumming program. Piping classes will be split into multiple groups of 8-12 students each, and you will rotate instructors with your group. Each group will have a chance to learn from multiple instructors each day.
Students may arrive on Thursday, January 28th beginning at 12pm, auditions will be held 1pm-2pm, and classes will begin at 2pm. The schedule will include group classes each day, evening ceilidhs, an opportunity to attend the instructor concert, and a few fun extras. The program ends at 3pm on Sunday, February 1st. Most students choose to stay on for Highland Pipes week which begins after breakfast on Monday, February 2nd.
The Piobaireachd program includes lodging for the nights of Thursday the 28th, Friday the 28th, and Saturday the 30th. If you would like to add on lodging for the night of Sunday the 31st, please choose the 'extra night' option during registration below.
Prices for the 2026 Piobaireachd Program include tuition, housing, and meals (2027 prices t.b.a.):
Tier 1, Single Room = $1,090 (all private bathroom)
Tier 2, Single Room = $931 (some private bathroom, some shared bathroom)
Tier 3, Single Room = $826 (all shared bathroom)
Tier 1, Shared Room = $900 (all private bathroom)
Tier 2, Shared Room = $821 (some private bathroom, some shared bathroom)
Tier 3, Shared Room = $716 (all shared bathroom)
No Lodging (meals still included = $550
Registration opens on August 25th, 2026. The deadline for full refunds is December 31st, 2026.
Born in New Zealand and an emigrant to Scotland, Murray Henderson has won an amazing number of top awards. His accomplishments include prizes and Gold Medals at Oban and Inverness, six Clasps at Inverness, five Silver Chanters at Dunvegan Castle, London’s Bratach Gorm five times, the Former Winners MSR at London five times, and four-time Glenfiddich champion. In 2016 he was honored by being inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. Senior adjudicator for the Solo Piper’s Judges Association for both Piobaireachd and light music, Murray has judged Internationally, and at all major events in Scotland. Spanning five decades, his competitive and mentoring record has made him one of the world’s most successful, and knowledgeable pipers.
Roddy MacLeod MBE, Glasgow, Scotland is considered to be one of the most accomplished pipers of his generation and a highly regarded teacher, recitalist and adjudicator. Uniquely, he is a Grade 1 Championship winning Pipe Major and a five time Glenfiddich World Solo Piping Champion and in 2012 he was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Awards Hall of Fame. Throughout his career as a piper Roddy has become renowned for his sound and is a dedicated ambassador of the instrument.
Piper and Drummer Magazine has referred to Bruce Gandy as “one of the world’s best all-around players.” His prizes include top awards and Gold Medals from both Oban and Inverness, the Bratach Gorm and, on eight occasions, New York’s Metro Cup. Bruce is also a noted composer and in high demand as an instructor. Bruce’s learning program called Essential Piobaireachd Foundations won product of the year in the annual Pipes|Drums awards. He was raised in Victoria, British Columbia, and resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he teaches piping at the Citadel.
Willie is a native of Campbeltown in Kintyre, and from a famous piping family who can trace back their piping to John McAlister who won the Prize Pipe in 1782, the 2nd recorded piping competition. He has won the Glenfiddich Championship a record 9 times and his other prizes won include both Gold Medals, 9 P/M Donald MacLeod Memorials, 5 Former Winners MSRs at Oban and 4 at Inverness, 4 Bratach Gorms, 3 Silver Chanters, and 3 Senior Piobaireachds at Oban. He is Lead Tutor on the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland B.Mus.Trad Programme, delivered by the National Piping Centre. He also runs a busy business comprising private teaching and being a consultant to McCallum Bagpipes and Bannatyne Pipe Bags and Moisture Control. Many of his students are champion pipers in their own right.
