CLAN GALBRAITH SOCIETY
2026 HONORARY CHIEF OF THE HIGHLAND GAMES
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE OFFICIAL BUSINESS PARTNER SPONSOR OF THE 2025 LIGONIER HIGHLAND GAMES THE PLASTERERS AND CEMENT MASONS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
HIGHLANDER FINANCIAL GROUP
2025 HONORARY CHIEF OF THE HIGHLAND GAMES
T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE HIGHLAND GAMES
SCOTTISH FIDDLING
Scottish fiddling differs from other Celtic and folk styles of fiddling, being more precise in it's execution and the energy of the playing, particularly noticeable in the rhythms common to the Strathspey. Of particular difference are the techniques of bowing, such as hack bowing, snap bowing and the Scottish Snap that contrast with the bowing patterns of Irish fiddling. There is a large repertoire of variations of rhythms and key signatures and a strong link to the playing of traditional Scottish bagpipes. For a more detailed description, history and discussion of Scottish fiddling, visit the Fiddling Around the World website here:
WE ARE PROUD TO HOST SCOTTISH FIDDLING COMPETITION AT THE LIGONIER HIGHLAND GAMES. WE HOPE ALL ACCOMPLISHED AND ASPIRING SCOTTISH FIDDLERS WILL COME AND JOIN US FOR A WONDERFUL DAY AT LIGONIER. USE THE FORM BELOW TO REGISTER AND PLEASE CONTACT US ABOUT SPECIAL RATES FOR FIDDLING GROUPS AND SCHOOLS/STUDENTS.
SCOTTISH FIDDLING COMPETITION
FIDDLING EVENT GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY:
THE REV. CANON DR. and MRS. JOHN A. MACDONALD of KINGSBURGH
ENTRY FORMS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE GAMES
2025 FIDDLING ADJUDICATOR
DAVID GARDNER
David Gardner is a nationally recognized Scottish fiddle performer, teacher and judge. He has been performing on the Scottish fiddle since the 1980’s, absorbing the idiom and style of the great 18th century Scottish composers such as the Gows, Mackintoshes and Marshall. Gardner is a specialist in the performance of 18th century Scottish music using bows and instruments set up as they would have been in Neil Gow’s day. Since those early years, David has performed on innumerable occasions, both in colonial taverns and on stage.
David currently holds an instrumental music endorsement for the state of Virginia. In this capacity for teaching excellence, David was awarded a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Scholarship to Germany in the summer of 2003.
David currently works as a German teacher at Warwick High School, for the Newport News Public School system, as well as lead teacher for foreign languages and fine arts.
David has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the College of William and Mary. In years past he performed with various classical ensembles including the Richmond Chamber Players and the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra. He is currently a member of the nationally recognized musical trio, The Virginia Company, with whom he has performed at the The Kennedy Center, The National Geographic Society, The Bethlehem Music Festival, Longwood Gardens, Plymouth Plantation, Monticello, and Mount Vernon, among other venues.
David is a professional fiddle judge officially sanctioned by the North American Association for Scottish Fiddling, (Scottish FIRE).
David currently holds an instrumental music endorsement for the state of Virginia. In this capacity for teaching excellence, David was awarded a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Scholarship to Germany in the summer of 2003.
David currently works as a German teacher at Warwick High School, for the Newport News Public School system, as well as lead teacher for foreign languages and fine arts.
David has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the College of William and Mary. In years past he performed with various classical ensembles including the Richmond Chamber Players and the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra. He is currently a member of the nationally recognized musical trio, The Virginia Company, with whom he has performed at the The Kennedy Center, The National Geographic Society, The Bethlehem Music Festival, Longwood Gardens, Plymouth Plantation, Monticello, and Mount Vernon, among other venues.
David is a professional fiddle judge officially sanctioned by the North American Association for Scottish Fiddling, (Scottish FIRE).
CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE AND VISIT THE WEBSITE OF
Become a sponsor of the Ligonier Highland Games and help us continue the tradition of preserving and promoting Scottish arts and heritage. Your donation will be recognized on our website and in the souvenir program book. Other benefits can include V.I.P. seating, hotel accommodation and becoming an honorary chieftain. Click link above to find out more.
SPONSOR A MEDAL/TROPHY SET FOR AN EVENT
DONATE TO HAVE A MEDAL OR TROPHY NAMED TO HONOR SOMEONE SPECIAL
THE COSTS OF RUNNING THE HIGHLAND GAMES INCREASE EACH YEAR AND OUR FULLY VOLUNTEER STAFF WORKS HARD TO KEEP COSTS DOWN AND GENEROUSLY SUPPORTS THE GAMES TOO. YOU CAN HELP BY SPONSORING A MEDAL SET FOR AN EVENT FOR $75 OR A TROPHY/PLAQUE SET FOR $150. SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE A FREE TICKET AND BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN THE PROGRAM BOOK.
SPONSOR A SCHOLARSHIP
SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE TWO FREE TICKETS AND BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND IN THE PROGRAM BOOK.
REGISTRATIONS ALSO ACCEPTED AT THE GAMES IN PAVILION C 7
Fiddling REGISTRATION begins in Pavilion C 7
FIDDLE WORKSHOPS
SANCTIONED COMPETITION
FIDDLE EXHIBITION
Fiddling REGISTRATION begins in Pavilion C 7
FIDDLE WORKSHOPS
SANCTIONED COMPETITION
FIDDLE EXHIBITION
2025 FIDDLING COMPETITION RESULTS
ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD
MARYBETH MILLER
OPEN COMPETITION WINNER
ALLISON McKNIGHT
INTERMEDIATE CATEGORY WINNER
MARYBETH MILLER
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
ALLISON McKNIGHT
MARYBETH MILLER
2021 FIDDLING COMPETITION RESULTS
ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD
EMMA DORMAN
JUNIOR OPEN COMPETITION WINNER
BRIANNA COBBEY
2021 FIDDLING COMPETITORS
2021 SENIOR OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Emma Dorman
2nd PLACE: Allison McNight
3rd PLACE: Curt Hoganson
2nd PLACE: Allison McNight
3rd PLACE: Curt Hoganson
2021 JUNIOR OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Brianna Cobbey
2nd PLACE: Halie Ryan
3rd PLACE: Eilidh Fisher
4th PLACE: Emma Balega
2nd PLACE: Halie Ryan
3rd PLACE: Eilidh Fisher
4th PLACE: Emma Balega
2019 FIDDLING COMPETITION RESULTS
ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD
EMMA DORMAN
BRIANNA COBBEY
JUNIOR OPEN COMPETITION WINNER
2019 SENIOR OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Emma Dorman
2nd PLACE: Allison McNight
3rd PLACE: Jerry Agin
2nd PLACE: Allison McNight
3rd PLACE: Jerry Agin
2019 JUNIOR OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Brianna Cobbey
2nd PLACE: Haley Ryan
2nd PLACE: Haley Ryan
2019 NOVICE CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Karen Shamir
2nd PLACE: Michael Nicholsen
3rd PLACE: Emma Balega
2nd PLACE: Michael Nicholsen
3rd PLACE: Emma Balega
2018 FIDDLING COMPETITION RESULTS
ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD
Emma Dorman
Emma Dorman
EMMA DORMAN
NOVICE CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Joshua Bartosky
2nd PLACE: Karen Shamir
3rd PLACE: Emma Balega
1st PLACE: Joshua Bartosky
2nd PLACE: Karen Shamir
3rd PLACE: Emma Balega
JOSHUA BARTOSKY
JUNIOR CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Emma Dorman
2nd PLACE: Tomer Shamir
3rd PLACE: Brianna Cobbey
OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Curt Hoganson
2nd PLACE: Jerry Agin
1st PLACE: Emma Dorman
2nd PLACE: Tomer Shamir
3rd PLACE: Brianna Cobbey
OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Curt Hoganson
2nd PLACE: Jerry Agin
CURT HOGANSON
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Emma Dorman
Tomer Shamir
Emma Dorman
Tomer Shamir
EMMA DORMAN
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TOMER SHAMIR
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FIDDLE CHALLENGE COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Brianna Cobbey
2nd PLACE: Emma Dorman
3rd PLACE: Curt Hoganson
1st PLACE: Brianna Cobbey
2nd PLACE: Emma Dorman
3rd PLACE: Curt Hoganson
BRIANNA COBBEY
2017 FIDDLING COMPETITION RESULTS
ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD
Tomer Shamir
BEST MARCH
Curt Hoganson
NOVICE CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Peter Van Osdol
JUNIOR CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Tomer Shamir
2nd PLACE: Emma Dorman
3rd PLACE: Will Dorman
OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Curt Hoganson
SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP WINNERS
Tomer Shamir
Emma Dorman
Tomer Shamir
BEST MARCH
Curt Hoganson
NOVICE CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Peter Van Osdol
JUNIOR CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Tomer Shamir
2nd PLACE: Emma Dorman
3rd PLACE: Will Dorman
OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Curt Hoganson
SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP WINNERS
Tomer Shamir
Emma Dorman
2017 FIDDLING COMPETITION WINNERS
From Left: Will Dorman 3rd place junior, Emma Dorman 2nd place junior, Melinda Crawford-Perttu judge, Peter Van Osdol 1st place novice, Tomer Shamir 1st place junior, Curt Hoganson 1st place open
2017 FIDDLER OF THE DAY
Melinda Crawford-Perttu and fiddler of the day Tomer Shamir
2016 FIDDLING RESULTS
ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FIDDLER OF THE DAY AWARD
Tomer Shamir
BEST STRATHSPEY & REEL
Emma Dorman
JUNIOR CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Tomer Shamir
2nd PLACE: Emma Dorman
OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Sue Tillotson
2nd PLACE: Curt Hoganson
3rd PLACE: Tom Summers
Tomer Shamir
BEST STRATHSPEY & REEL
Emma Dorman
JUNIOR CATEGORY
1st PLACE: Tomer Shamir
2nd PLACE: Emma Dorman
OPEN COMPETITION
1st PLACE: Sue Tillotson
2nd PLACE: Curt Hoganson
3rd PLACE: Tom Summers
Tomer Shamir and the Fiddler of the Day Trophy
Ed Pearlman with the 2016 Fiddling winners
