Hundreds fill Victoria Park to hear the sound of the pipes and drums at Kincardine Scottish Festival

Hundreds of people gathered in Victoria Park, Saturday, to listen to the sound of the pipes and drums, and the pipe band competition, at the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games.

The day began with the solo piping and drumming competitions at various locations on the streets surrounding the park. There was also a Piobaireach (Great Music) piping competition at Kincardine United Church.

The crowd was thrilled to see the return of the Clan Parade which marched from the Kincardine Legion through downtown Kincardine to Victoria Park. Last year, this event was cancelled due to the fire at the laundromat on Durham Market South.

Leading the parade, were the Kincardine Legion Colour Party and the Kincardine Air Cadets, followed by the Teeswater Highlanders, the dignitaries and about a dozen competitive bands.



The Clan Parade marches through downtown Kincardine, Saturday

The afternoon featured a display of Highland Dancing by the Guthrie School of Dance of Toronto,  as well as the pipe band competition.

Once again, the piping circle was in front of the main stage and each band, from Grade 5 to Grade 1, marched in and performed, before three judges. There were 11 pipe bands competing, some coming as far away as Cleveland, Ohio, and Royal Oak, Michigan; as well as numerous pipers and drummers in the solo competitions.



The 78th Fraser Highlanders compete at the Kincardine Scottish Festival, Saturday; video by David Dadson

The final results were as follows:

Grade 1:
 

• 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band; also had the best pipes, best drums and best bass and tenor

Grade 2:
 

• Guelph Pipe Band – best bass and tenor, and tied for best pipes
• Great Lakes Pipe Band of Cleveland, Ohio – best drums
• Toronto Police Pipe Band – tied for best pipes

Grade 3:
 

• Guelph Pipe Band – best drums, bass and tenor, and tied for best pipes
• Durham Regional Police Pipe Band – tied for best pipes

Grade 4:
 

• Paris-Port Dover Pipe Band – best drums, bass and tenor; and tied for best pipes
• Cabar Feidh Pipes and Drums of Royal Oak, Michigan – tied for best pipes

Grade 5:
 

• London Fire fighters Pipe Band – best pipes, best drums, best bass and tenor
• Durham Regional Police Pipe Band
• Peel Regional Police Pipe Band

The Durham Regional Police Pipe Band competes at the Kincardine Scottish Festival; video by David Dadson

In solo results:
 

• Professional Piper of the Day – Ian K. MacDonald
• Professional Drummer of the Day – Kyle Wardell
• Amateur Piper of the Day – Iain Dewar
• Amateur Drummer of the Day – Cameron MacDonald

For complete pipe band, and solo piping and drumming competition results, check the website at ppbso.org/kincardine-scottish-festival-2025.

At the end of the competition, all the bands gathered in the piping circle for an incredible Massed Band performance, including a stirring rendition of "Amazing Grace."



Pipers and drummers form up for the Massed Band performance at the Kincardine Scottish Festival



The second round of pipers and drummers forms up for the Massed Band performance at the Kincardine Scottish Festival



The Massed Band performs “Amazing Grace” at the Kincardine Scottish Festival

Stay tuned for more coverage of the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games on the Kincardine Record.



The Cabar Feidh Pipe Band competes at the Kincardine Scottish Festival; video by David Dadson



The Toronto Police Pipe Band competes at the Kincardine Scottish Festival; video by David Dadson