"What an incredible weekend!": Highlands and Islands Music & Dance Festival makes lifelong memories

Starting with the Highland dancing and choreography contests, the Scottish Choreography Challenge was held in the Corran Halls on Friday and Saturday.

The winners of the 12 years category were the Sandra and Zoe Lees and Linda Jackson Schools, while the winner of the 15 years bracket was the McCorkindale School, and the McCreadie, Low, and Campbell Schools triumphed in the 16 years and over. The Open Age Group was won by the McCreadie School.

In the Scottish Area Finals, at Atlantis Leisure on Saturday, Argyll and Bute triumphed for a second time. "Congratulations to all, but special congrats to Argyll and Bute," said one attendee.

The HIMDF team added: "To all the organisers of the qualifying events for the Scottish Area Finals which are held over the year - THANK YOU! Without this continued support we would not be able to host this unique event."

Also at Atlantic Leisure, on Sunday, was the Highlands & Islands Dancing Competition, including the Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Sean Triubhas, Hullachan, and Barrack Johnny, and the Scottish National Challenge for the Sailors’ Hornpipe Final.

The Scottish National Challenge 2026 was won by Molly Robertson in the 11 years class, Serena Bianconcini in the 12 years and U16 years, and Eilidh Gammons in the 16 years and over.

"Congratulations to all the dancers and teachers who took part in the HIMDF competitions over the weekend," said the organisers. "We hope lots of new memories were made!"

One dancing judge, Dawn Fraser, thanked the team for "another fabulous event". "It was such a privilege to be invited to judge this event, a whole weekend of the most amazing dancing," she said. "Congratulations to all dancers, teachers and parents for their commitment and dedication to achieve this. This is an example of Highland Dancing at its very best. My cup is full - thank you."

Across town the chanter, piping, and drumming competitions, in association with Netherlorn Piping Society, were held at Oban High School on Saturday.

There piper Alasdair Bullock from Loch Awe, won the U15 Piobaireachd, March, and Strathspey & Reel, with his tutor Angus MacColl and haul of trophies.

Elsewhere in the junior piping, in the 15 and U18 class, the prizes were split between Hugh Anderson from Tobermory, Mull, who won the Piobaireachd and Strathspey & Reel, and Arran Brown from Campbeltown won the March and Hornpipe & Jig.

In the U15 drumming, Lucy Matilda Clark from Inveraray took home the Oban Music Trophy in the stick and pad, while Ross MacColl from Appin won the March, and Calum MacPherson from Dunbeg lifted the Netherlorn Shield in the 6/8 March. Benderloch’s Morven Cruikshank won the John Livingstone Memorial Trophy in the 15 and U18 Tenor MSR.

Meanwhile in the senior piping, starting in the Piobaireachd, the P/A Grade was won by Brodie Watson-Massey from Edinburgh, the B Grade by Callum Carn from Glasgow, and C Grade by Scott Barrie from Kilmarnock. In the MSR, the P/A Grade was won by Sarah Muir from East Kilbride, the B Grade by Angus Nicolson from Fort William, and the C Grade by Aaron Hughes from Howwood.

Festival organisers said: "A final thank you to our judges, our fabulous pipers, pianist, all our helpers, dancers and families for helping us come together in Oban once again, to celebrate all things dance!"

An attendee added: "A huge thank you to the organisers for all their hard work behind the scenes — such a well-run festival with so many different events, giving every dancer their moment to shine and something for everyone to enjoy."

"Thank you to the team for holding this amazing event," said another. "This brings everyone together for a weekend of dancing fun and memories that are held in hearts for a life time. Looking forward to 2027!"