Awards and Trophies

EACH YEAR AT THE FESTIVAL THERE ARE ALMOST 140 TROPHIES AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION INCLUDING 17 MAJOR AWARDS PRESENTED ON THE FINAL EVENING.

IF CONSIDERING COMMEMORATING AN INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANISATION BY CONTRIBUTING TO THE NEW SCHOLARSHIP FUND, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

Major Awards for 2026

The Dr. David L Baxter Trophy and the David Dickson Silver Award awarded to the winner of the Open Class for Vocal Soloists.

Lucy McLean

The Duncan Brown Trophy awarded to the competitor with the best aggregate marks in Bagpipe Classes in the age group 18 years and under.

Ross Aitchison

The Cuthbert Forster Memorial Trophy awarded for the best performance by a School Entrant in designated Classes.

Notre Dame High School

The A. J. Gourlay Trophy awarded for the best performance in a Senior Entry.

Ash Paton

The A Willis Calder Memorial Trophy awarded for the best performance by any girl or boy entrant in appropriate vocal solo classes.

Kai Fitzharris

The Jack Paterson Memorial Shield awarded to the best Junior Solo Instrumental performer in the age group 7 – 11 years.

Anna Brown

The Musicians Union (Greenock Branch) Shield awarded to the best Junior Solo Instrumental performer in the age group 12 – 18 years.

Ash Paton

The Andrew B Cockle Trophy and Medal awarded to the winner of a competition among outstanding performers, either vocal or instrumental, aged 18 years and under.

Ash Paton

The John Langan Trophy awarded to the most promising young woodwind player with the highest mark in designated classes.

Abi Hoodless

The J A Sloan Trophy awarded to the overall winner of the Advanced Solo Brass Class.

Ash Paton

The Marie Hagen Trophy awarded for the best performance by entrants in Speech Classes for Set Poems.

Reenie Henry

The Mabel Irving Trophy awarded to the best performance by entrants in Speech Classes for Burns.

Millie McLaren

The Robert W T McNab Memorial Trophy awarded to the Junior Country Dance Team who give the best performance.

Ardgowan Primary 

The McCaig Quaich awarded to the competitor with the best aggregate marks in Bagpipe Classes in the age group 14 years and under.

Ethan Mathie

The Alasdair Rankin Trophy awarded for the best performance by entrants in the Percussion Classes.

Inverclyde Academy Percussion Ensemble

The George Parkhill Trophy awarded to the best performance by entrants in Junior Piano Solo Classes.

Finlay Jones

The David Cairns, MP Trophy awarded for excellence in Speech.

Zara Crawford

The Jean Rennie Trophy awarded to the most promising String player.

Imogen Millar

The Overton Trophy awarded to the best Singing Game or Action Song

Whinhill Primary 4/5

The Highlanders’ Academy Shield awarded to the best entry in Gaelic classes.

Joe Thunder

The Gemma McLean Trophy for an outstanding contribution (Primary).

St Mary’s Primary School

The Gerard F. Gordon Trophy for an outstanding contribution (Secondary).

Kai Fitzharris and Ben Mullen

Scholarship Winner and Winner of the Ronnie Mackay Quaich 2026

Kai Fitzharris and Ash Paton

Scholarship Fund

In addition to the trophies awarded annually, the festival set up a scholarship fund in 2006. It is used to support performers to further their own arts education.

Funding may also be given for consultancy sessions, where appropriate.

Scholarship winners are also presented with the Ronnie MacKay quaich, and the Lorna Morrison quaich, to mark their achievements.

The fund was launched in 2006 by two generous donations – one from King’s Glen Primary School in memory of William Melrose, a former head teacher, and the other from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West.

Since then, a number of generous donations have been given, enabling us to continue to offer scholarships.

Contributing to this fund is an exciting and innovative way of supporting young performers, while commemorating an individual or organisation.

If you are interested in making a donation to the scholarship fund, please contact our Honorary Treasurer: Jean Paul, 3C Dempster Court, 3 Dempster Street, Greenock, PA15 4QE.