The Scottish Fiddle Competition at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is sanctioned by Scottish F.I.R.E. There will be three categories of competition: Senior Open (aged 18 and over), Junior Open (under age 18), and novice. All contestants at the Open and Junior Open levels must be current members of Scottish F.I.R.E. at the time of the competition and must show proof of membership when checking in on the competition day. Information about joining Scottish F.I.R.E. can be found at www.scottishfiddlingrevival.com.
Scottish F.I.R.E. Membership Form: https://d1j6qm2pbwdmf2.cloudfront.net/uploads/2026/04/Scottish-FIRE-membership-form.pdf
In Scottish style competitions, open and junior open class competitors are required to play the following:
A) An Air, Lament, Pastoral or other slow tune, followed by a pause, and
B) A March, Strathspey & Reel played without pauses.
Junior and Senior Open competitors designated by the Judge may be advanced to the U.S. National Scottish Fiddling Competition sponsored by Scottish F.I.R.E.
The Novice category is open to any competitor new to the art of Scottish Fiddling. There is no age restriction, though the category may be split into Junior (under 18) and Senior (over 18) age levels, depending on number and ages of registrants. When a novice competitor has won first place in three novice class competitions, they will be required to enter in the Junior Open (under 18) or Senior Open (over 18) class. Novice competitors may play any single tune or a combination of tunes of a standard open level competition set including an air, march, strathspey, and reel.
Contestants are judged on technique, faithfulness to the Scottish idiom, and expression. The judge’s rankings and other decisions are final.
Awards are as follows:
- Senior Open
- 1st place: $100
- 2nd place: $75
- 3rd place: $50
Junior Open
- 1st place: $50
- 2nd place: $25
- 3rd place: $10
Novice
- 1st place: $25
- 2nd place: $10
- 3rd place: medal
The competition follows the rules and judging guidelines set by Scottish F.I.R.E. All contestants must attest that they have had access to these rules and guidelines.
Competition Rules: https://d1j6qm2pbwdmf2.cloudfront.net/uploads/2026/04/Competition-Rules.pdf
Judging Rubric: https://d1j6qm2pbwdmf2.cloudfront.net/uploads/2026/04/Judging-Form-and-Rubric.pdf
Please direct any questions regarding the competition to Robina Walker at robina.walker@gmail.com