Clan Gregor Awards and Grants | Clan Gregor Society

Awards and Grants

Our commitment...

The Society sponsors educational awards for students at the University of Glasgow; a piping award at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland / National Piping Centre in Glasgow; a genealogy and DNA project; the preservation of historic MacGregor grave stones at Dalmally; and archaeological digs near Loch Awe and Loch Lomond. It also continues the founding principle of helping MacGregors in need, whether members or not.

We offer...

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The Clan Gregor Scholarship

The Piping Scholarship

The Druim a' Charraigh Quaich

Blog

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The Clan Gregor Society is delighted to offer a prize for the benefit of University of Glasgow new entrants decending from Clan Gregor. It also provides free membership in the Society to a selected number of students each year.

The Society makes an annual gift of £500 to support the award.

The Society Award is:

known as The Clan Gregor Society Prize
awarded each year to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who are descendants of Clan Gregor
open to both undergraduate and postgraduate entrants who have confirmed their place at the University
awarded based on academic excellence and / or financial need evidenced through a submitted application form and support documentation
funded through an annual gift of £500 from the Clan Gregor Society.

The selected recipient will also be granted free membership of the Society for a given period.

Criteria

All students considered for the award must descend from Clan Gregor. This permits students with the surname or proof of ancestral lineage to Grigor, Gregor, MacGregor, McGrigor and McGregor, to be eligible for the award.
All eligible new entrants to the University will be notified of the award and encouraged to apply.
The recipient of the award will be selected based on a written application summarising their academic accomplishments and financial needs.
The winner will be selected by a panel of University of Glasgow staff.
The Prize will be awarded to one student per year.
A student cannot re-apply if they have previously received the award.
In the event of no suitable candidate being identified in any year, no award will be made and funds for that year will carry over for the award in a future year.
The Prize will be advertised on the University’s scholarships web pages to encourage applications. The terms of the prize will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Requirement for Award Winners

All students awarded The Clan Gregor Society Prize will be asked to submit a short letter of thanks to the Development and Alumni Office for onward transmission to the members of the Society for publication in the Society newsletter.

The Society invites the successful award holder to attend the Gathering at the Lochearnhead Highland Games in order to be presented with a certificate to commemorate their achievement of being selected for the award.

The Clan Gregor Society looks forward to a long and production relationship with the University of Glasgow and trusts that this prize will bring lasting benefits to students and Society members alike.

Apply now >

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The Piping Scholarship

The Society is pleased to offer an award, known as the Piping Scholarship, for the benefit of pipers studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland School of Piping.

The Scholarship is in the sum of £500 per annum and will normally be awarded to one student for two years duration.

The award holder will be required to act as the official piper to Clan Gregor and attend the Society’s Annual Gathering Weekend in July, to play at the Lochearnhead Highland Games. There may also be a requirement to play at the Annual Dinner thereafter and at any commemoration service held at Balquhidder Kirk on the Sunday.

The Scholarship holder should be able to play pipe music with connections to Clan Gregor as well as appropriate traditional music of Scotland. Subject to agreement, there may be some variation of these arrangements, particularly when the Society hosts an International Clan Gathering.

Apply now >

ANNA SMART

The Society is delighted to announce that Anna Smart was selected on our behalf by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland School of Piping as the 2025 / 2026 recipient of the Piping Scholarship

The Society is thrilled to announce the selection of Anna Smart as the recipient of the prestigious Piping Scholarship for the 2025/2026 academic year, awarded by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland School of Piping.

At just 23 years old, Anna Smart is a rising star in the piping community, currently residing in Edinburgh. Her journey began in Dunfermline, where she first discovered her passion for music. After moving to New Zealand at the age of 10 - pipes in tow - she honed her skills before returning to Scotland at 18 to pursue formal studies at the Conservatoire. Throughout her educational journey, Anna has dedicated two years to training under some of Scotland's finest reed makers, mastering the craft of reed-making and delving into the rich history of bagpipe creation.

Anna's dedication and talent have garnered her numerous accolades, showcasing her skills on both national and international stages. Her notable achievements include:

Top 10 finalist in the World Under 22 category at the Lochnell Castle Invitational (2021)
International finalist at the McGregor Memorial in Oban (2020, 2021)
Finalist in the Pipe Idol competition at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (2018)
Overall Juvenile Winner at the Cowal Gathering (2018)
2nd place in the CNP Gold Medal Piobaireachd (2018) and 3rd place (2017)
Featured performer with her band, The Rollin’ Drones, during New York Tartan Week, including performances on Broadway (2024)

This year, Anna will once again take the stage at New York Tartan Week, continuing to showcase her incredible talent with The Rollin’ Drones. Fans can also catch her performances on her YouTube channel, where she shares her love for piping with a wider audience.

We eagerly anticipate Anna's performance at the Lochearnhead Games on July 26 and look forward to experiencing her artistry and musicianship in person. Congratulations to Anna Smart for this well-deserved recognition!

BRADLEY PARKER

Bradley Parker, hailing from Portavogie in Northern Ireland, made history as the inaugural recipient of the Piping Scholarship in 2021. A passionate piper from a young age, Bradley began his journey with the instrument at just five years old, quickly developing a reputation for his exceptional talent.

His impressive performances have graced notable venues around the world, including the House of Commons in London, the RDS in Dublin, the iconic Glastonbury Music Festival, and the 'Festival D'Ambert' in France. These experiences have solidified his status as a prominent figure in the piping community.

Bradley's accolades are numerous and highlight his dedication and skill. He was awarded the Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year in 2012, recognised for his outstanding musicianship. Additionally, he received the prestigious Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust prize in 2019. As a member of the Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band, he played a vital role in their victories at the Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championships in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

For those eager to witness Bradley's musical talent, he is featured on YouTube, where fans can enjoy performances that showcase his passion for piping. As the first recipient of the Piping Scholarship, Bradley continues to inspire the next generation of pipers with his remarkable achievements and dedication to the artform.

ROBERT ALLEN

We are proud to highlight Robert Allen as our second recipient of the Piping Scholarship. Hailing from just outside Glasgow, Robert began his piping journey at the young age of nine under the guidance of Elizabeth Rice (B.E.M.), a notable figure in the piper community. He continues to refine his skills with ongoing tuition from the esteemed Uist piper, Willie Morrison. Both Elizabeth and Willie showcase their talents on YouTube, where aspiring pipers can learn from their expertise.

Robert's dedication to piping has led to a successful career at the junior level, and he is now a competitor at adult events across Scotland, including the prestigious Argyllshire Gathering. A particular highlight for Robert is his participation in the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd competition, where he embraces the rich tradition of piobaireachd every year.

Additionally, Robert is a proud member of the Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band, further contributing to his growth and prominence in the piping scene. With his passion and commitment, Robert Allen is undoubtedly a young piper to watch as he continues to make his mark in the world of piping.

Contact us and apply!

Details of the above awards can be obtained from the relevant institution or from the Clan Gregor Society Secretary, enquiries@clangregor.com

The Druim a' Charraigh Quaich

The Druim a' Charraigh Quaich is presented by the Society annually to the winner of the Piobaireachd competition at the Balquidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre Highland Games.