A Tradition of Excellence

The 2026 season has been another milestone year for George Watson’s College Pipes & Drums. 

The season culminated at the World Championships earlier this month. Watson’s Juvenile Band and Drum Corps delivered an outstanding performance on the day, and we are absolutely delighted that, for the third year in a row, they have retained their World Champion titles. Our Novice A Band also played brilliantly, narrowly missing out on top spot as they finished in the fantastic runners-up position. 

These titles mark a remarkable record and one that reflects the outstanding standard of teaching, preparation and performance that has been built within the Pipes & Drums over many years, with a staggering 228 Major Championship titles now won... and counting! 

Earlier this summer, the Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Dumbarton provided another memorable day for the George Watson’s College Pipes & Drums, with both of our bands delivering outstanding performances in their respective grades. While our Juvenile Band had an excellent performance, finishing second in their grade, our Novice Juvenile A Band were crowned 2026 Scottish Champions, with both the band and Drum Corps taking the title. 

Under the guidance of our Head of Pipe Band Mick O’Neill, this brings the total number of Major Championship drumming titles won by Watson’s Drum Corps since March 1996 to an incredible 152. 

Those 152 titles were achieved across two grades: 

Novice A Drum Corps 

• Scottish Championships – 15 
• British Championships – 13 
• UK/Cowal Championships – 17 
• European Championships – 15 
• World Championships – 17 

Juvenile Drum Corps 

• Scottish Championships – 16 
• British Championships – 16 
• UK/Cowal Championships – 17 
• European Championships – 14 
• World Championships – 12 

That achievement is all the more remarkable, considering that before 1996, the drummers at Watson’s had never won a Major Championship title. 

Congratulations to Mick, whose passion, dedication, guidance and unwavering support for our pupils is truly exceptional.  

FROM COMPETITION FIELD TO THE COMMONWEALTH STAGE 

The summer has also taken our Juvenile Band beyond the competition field. 

They were honoured to be invited to perform at a Commonwealth Games Welcome Reception celebrating the Scotland Malawi partnership, where they played for First Minister John Swinney and government ministers from Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda. 

It was a fantastic opportunity for our young musicians to perform at a high-profile international event and represent George Watson’s College in a very different setting. 

From championship competition to an international reception, our pupils have embraced every opportunity to perform and have done so with the confidence, professionalism and pride that we have come to expect from our Pipes & Drums.