Scotland faces blow at World Pipe Band championships as Canada triumphs, leaving UK beaten for first time in 16 years

By KRISTINA WEMYSS, GENERAL NEWS REPORTER Published: 19:58, 16 August 2026 | Updated: 20:11, 16 August 2026 Scotland faced a devastating blow after it lost to Canada at the World Pipe Band championships this weekend. It marks the first time a group from outside the UK has lifted the trophy in 16 years, with Scotland having won the past three. The Simon Fraser University pipe band (SFU), from Vancouver, Canada, triumphed over 211 groups from 14 countries. Bands travelled to the competition at Glasgow Green from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Oman, France, Malaysia, Sweden, Switzerland and Germany. SFU players cried and embraced as they were declared the champions. It is their seventh victory in the contest's history, but their first since 2009, with Scottish and Northern Irish bands dominating in recent years. Northern Ireland sent 26 groups to compete this year, and its Field Marshal Montgomery band were runners-up. Scotland, home of the bagpipes, sent 125, with the Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia band from West Lothian coming third. The US sent 19 bands, up from 14 last year. The Simon Fraser University pipe band (SFU), from Vancouver, Canada, triumphed over 211 groups from 14 countries It is the band's seventh victory in the contest's history, but their first since 2009 Bands travelled to the competition at Glasgow Green from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Oman, France, Malaysia, Sweden, Switzerland and Germany Around 35,000 people turned out to watch the event, known as the Worlds, across Friday and Saturday.  Colin Mulhern, chief executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said this year's competition had been 'truly thrilling and fiercely contested'. He added: 'Every band that took part can be immensely proud of their performances. 'They demonstrated the dedication, commitment, skill and talent that continue to make the world of pipe band competition so special.' Glasgow first hosted the World Pipe Band Championships in 1948 and has done so permanently since 1986. Every year, the championship comes at the end of Piping Live!, a week-long bagpipe festival and the largest in the world. Bailie Annette Christie, chairman of Glasgow Life, which organises the championships, said the city is 'proud' of its musical history. 'The Worlds are such an important event for the city, bringing the very best pipers and drummers together for a spectacular celebration of music and tradition,' she added.