THE LONDON RECITAL
FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER 2026
6:30pm - 10:00pm / Highland or Lowland Black Tie
at
ST BOTOLPH WITHOUT BISHOPSGATE
CHURCH HALL
CITY OF LONDON
Hosted by
THE PINSTRIPE HIGHLANDERS
THE PIOBAIREACHD SOCIETY
With support from
THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF LONDON
THE 1ST BATTALION SCOTS GUARDS
THE ROYAL SCOTTISH PIPERS' SOCIETY
THE LONDON SCOTTISH PIPES & DRUMS
THE SCOTTISH PIPING SOCIETY OF LONDON
Featuring
CALLUM BEAUMONT
&
BEN DUNCAN
Playing both Ceòl mòr and Ceòl beag
Organised by
THE LONDON RECITAL COMMITTEE
GORDON TUGHAN-JONES
ROBERT WALLACE
MAJOR HENRY EDWARDS
LILY CAMPBELL
Advised by
THE PRESIDENT OF THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY OF LONDON
THE HON ANDREW YOUNGER
Sponsored by
HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO 2026
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PREVIOUS YEARS' VIDEOS
AUDIO RECORDINGS
THE LONDON RECITAL
The London Recital is a not-for-profit event, funded by donations from involved organisations and individuals, that seeks to:
Increase awareness of Piobaireachd
Increase the range of piping events in London
Connect organisations &
encourage more joint piping events
1ST BN SCOTS GUARDS
For generations, the pipers and drummers of the Scots Guards have been soldiers first and musicians second.
The wider Regiment’s story stretches back to 1642, through the defence of Hougoumont at Waterloo, the Crimea and two World Wars, to the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.
During the First World War, the 1st Battalion’s pipers suffered such heavy casualties that its pipe band ceased to exist for a time.
That tradition remains alive today. The Pipes and Drums are fully trained fighting soldiers. They bring to the Recital a living military and musical tradition forged over nearly four centuries of service to the Crown.
THE PIPERS
The London Recital 2026 showcases two of the world's top pipers, playing a selection of both piobaireachd and light music
Callum Beaumont
Photo courtesy of Ben Dance
PM Ben Duncan
Photo courtesy of Ben Dance
THE EVENT
THE LONDON RECITAL
2 OCTOBER 2026
6:30pm
Piped on arrival by the Pinstripe Highlanders to a champagne reception
7:05pm
Announcement for all guests to be seated
7:15pm
Arrival of the pipers of the 1st Bn Scots Guards
A highland dancing performance
7:30pm
Welcome speeches and thanks
7:35pm
Recital performance – First session
8:15pm
Intermission with drinks and canapés
9:10pm
Recital performance – Second session
9:50pm
Presentations to the pipers, and farewells
10:00pm
Carriages
RSVP
The London Recital Committee
Highland or Lowland Black Tie
FAQ
Will there be food?
During the intermission from 8:15pm there will be substantive canapes served from two tables in the Reception Rooms. However, those who require substantial sustenance are advised to eat early before arrival. Vegetarian options will exist, but we cannot cater for allergies.
What is the dress code?
The London Recital is intended to be a formal event in formal surroundings, maintaining high standards of dress to match the high standard of piping. Therefore, for everyone's enjoyment, we ask our guests to please respect and observe the Black Tie dress code.
For clarity, Black Tie for gentlemen (whether Highland Dress eveningwear, or a Dinner Jacket with black or tartan trews) should include: 1) a plain white shirt, 2) a plain black bow tie, and 3) black shoes. We would ask our guests to please not take their jackets off, and plain white/cream hose are strongly discouraged.
Organisations with their own diced evening hose are encouraged to wear these with regular black tie.
For ladies, long evening dresses are preferred, due to the historic nature of the venue and formality of the event. Tartan sashes worn in the traditional way are encouraged.
PHOTO GALLERY (2026)
Photo credits: Ben Dance
THE HOSTS
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THE PINSTRIPE HIGHLANDERS
An amateur piping society, founded in 1971 by Lord Wrenbury and PM John S Roe BEM of the Scots Guards, the Pinstripe Highlanders first met in Wrenbury's office at Freshfields. Rapidly growing to incorporate other Freshfields solicitors it grew into a wider piping society that now includes amateur pipers from all walks of life. www.pinstripehighlanders.com
Meeting every Tuesday evening in Central London, the "Pinstripes" have played annually for decades at the Highland Society of London's annual Highland Ball, but also play periodically at other events such as the St Andrews Ball, various Scotland Office events, and they hold piping dinners in London and Edinburgh where the 'Southern Echelon' reunites with the 'Northern Echelon' (of Pinstripe Highlanders who have returned to Scotland).
The anthem of the Pinstripes is "Kate Wrenbury" – a lovely 6/8 march composed by John Roe for Lord Wrenbury's daughter's marriage. As it turned out, it was Elizabeth getting married not Kate, and Wrenbury's surname was actually Buckley, but Wrenbury insisted the tune remain Kate Wrenbury as originally named, and it has been played at most performances ever since.
By tradition, the current Piper to the Sovereign is offered the Pinstripe Pipe Majorship.
THE PIOBAIREACHD SOCIETY
The Piobaireachd Society, Patron HM The King, is the primary organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Piobaireachd, the ancient and classical form of pipe music associated with the Great Highland Bagpipe.
Founded in 1903, the society aims to support and encourage the study and performance of this unique musical tradition of the highlands of Scotland.
Objectives of the Piobaireachd Society
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To encourage the study and playing of piobaireachd on the Highland bagpipe.
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To collect material and knowledge relating to its music and history, to publish tunes, to edit them where desirable and to form a library whether written, printed or recorded in any other form, for the dissemination of pipe music.
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To aid in the general advancement and diffusion of knowledge of piobaireachd.
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To encourage the playing of piobaireachd in recitals and competitions.
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To appoint, and where necessary pay, piobaireachd teachers where a need is identified, and to aid, financially, promising pupils in obtaining further instruction.
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To train judges of piobaireachd and to contribute in maintaining a panel of accredited judges.
