Piper's Dojo International Meetup:
Edinburgh
Bagpipe Immersion on a Whole New Scale...
August 3-8, 2026 • Edinburgh, Scotland
Register NowMore than a "summer gathering"...
I remember my first bagpipe summer gathering. It was in Castleton, Vermont and it was called "Invermark". If I'm being honest, I had no idea what was about to hit me. I instantly made friends who people who had the same bagpiping interests as me! I was put into a session with other pipers of my ability level, and I spent time and received guidance from Jim McGillivray, Donald Lindsay, and Norman Gillies (Alasdair's father). On the Thursday night, there was a recital and ceilidh where we experienced the best piping you could possibly hear for hundreds (maybe thousands?) of miles.
And that was just year one. Over the years Invermark was a place I returned to over and over again because it was such a great place to immerse myself in the thing I loved to do.
A few years later on, at the age of 17, Jack Lee invited me to lead sessions at perhaps the world's largest summer piping gathering: "Piping Hot Summer Drummer". It was here that I developed an instant love for sharing my music and knowledge with others. Again, the immersive "summer gathering" environment provided a rush of excitement and the perfect environment for a quantum leap to be made!
Well, over the years, we've wanted to create our own summer get-together, for obvious reasons! Immersion is the single greatest correlate to bagpiping success (and happiness), and there's no better time or platform to do it than an in-person gathering.
But, it doesn't make sense to just cram another week-long session in amongst the amazing options throughout North America each summer. Our friends and collegues are already doing great things... so throughout the years we just opted to "table" our own Dojo summer gathering.
But then, last year, I had a fortuitous conversation with Cameron Drummond, great piper, Dojo teacher, and Head of Piping at Fettes College in Edinburgh. (Yes, Edinburgh, Scotland).
The idea was raised - how about we all meet up... in Scotland?
The rest, as they say.... is history!
INTRODUCING... THE INTERNATIONAL MEETUP: EDINBURGH
A week of bagpipe immersion in the heart of the piping world, during the biggest piping and drumming festival in the world.
AMAZING BAGPIPERS
Enjoy playing alongside your favorite Dojo instructors, as well as special guests who are some the world's best pipers.
INCREDIBLE IMMERSION
Piping Live!, the Worlds, the Edinburgh Tattoo, Highland Games, the world's best pipe bands, the countryside of Scotland - it's all here.
AMAZING VENUE
Dojo Meetups Make Lasting Memories
Don
West Virginia, USA
"It was a great experience. I was very impressed with how helpful and approachable the instructors and staff were, and how friendly the entire meet-up group was."
Susan
Ontario, Canada
"It was amazing to arrive in a strange place and immediately be among friends and instructors I have only known on-line for so many years!"
Shiela
Ontario, Canada
"Dojo U provides great learning opportunities in a supportive and fun atmosphere. I look forward to the social interaction just as much as the educational aspect."
What To Expect
Five Days of Immersive Sessions, in the "Dojo Style"
It's time to take our community "off-line"! Join legendary members of the Dojo Staff each day as well as daily guest "master" players who'll perform recitals and run workshops, working through piping material and improving your skillset, with amazing Fettes College as our backdrop. It's the hands-on experience you've been waiting for.
Legendary Daily Guest Sessions and Performances
We'll invite special guest instructors to join us throughout the week at Fettes for our meetup. These instructors will host unique workshops, lectures, and perform for us. This is an unparalleled opportunity to get to know several of the world's most legendary pipers, in the best possible environment.
In 2025 we were joined by Gary West, Kerr McQuillan, Calum Kay, Cameron MacDougall, and took a trip to McCallum Bagpipes -- who will we see in 2026?!
A Beautiful Venue in the Heart of Edinburgh
We'll all be staying at Craigleith House at Fettes College. It's a beautiful student facility with individual rooms, laundry and kitchen facilities, and plenty of social space. Fettes College is a short walk to the restaurants, pubs and shops in Stockbridge, and a short bus or taxi from the centre of Edinburgh. It's also easy to get to from Edinburgh Airport.
Immersive Experiences in the Heart of the Piping World
During the meetup, you’ll dive deep into piping with opportunities like attending an Inveraray and District Pipe Band practice and the world-famous Edinburgh Tattoo. In past years, we’ve also explored bagpipe manufacturers, enjoyed whisky tastings, and soaked up uniquely Scottish cultural experiences that make the week truly unforgettable.
Personalized, Hands-On Guidance And Mentorship
At the Edinburgh Meetup, you’ll finally get the kind of mentorship you can’t find online – world-class pipers working right beside you, listening, watching, and guiding you step by step. In just a week, you’ll unlock breakthroughs and pick up new knowledge that could have taken years on your own.
Building a Community
Dojo University is the first and largest online bagpipe school in the world! However, one of the most important pieces of feedback we receive each year is that we need to do more in person. For one unforgettable week in Edinburgh, you’ll play side-by-side with world-class instructors and fellow piper classmates who share your passion. You’ll swap tunes, stories, and laughs, and walk away with lifelong friends – not just new piping skills.
Schedule of Events
Monday
ARRIVAL + 1-ON-1 MAINTENANCE
Welcome to Edinburgh! As you arrive at Edinburgh International Airport, it's time to head straight to the Fettes College campus to check in. By taxi, it'll take about 20 minutes to drive to the school.
Upon arrival at the college, check-in is straightforward. Simply head to Craigleith House and members of our team will be waiting to welcome you. Upon checking in, you will receive a welcome packet from us that includes the week's schedule and other useful information.
Throughout the day, our staff will be in the Craigleith House "practice pods" to have a listen to and look at your pipes. During these one-on-one sessions, they'll make sure your pipes are in the best condition possible for the week ahead.
We'll gather as a group in the late afternoon for a safety briefing with Fettes staff, followed by a meet-and-greet for participants and guests and dinner as a group in the dining hall. After dinner, bagpipers will meet for our first session as a group in the Prep School. It won't be a grueling session though - that all starts tomorrow!
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
(All times are approximate)
8am - BREAKFAST
Meals are included in your enrollment. The food at Fettes is excellent, and they can cater to all dietary needs. The dining hall is an easy stroll from Craigleith House.
9am-1pm - MORNING SESSIONS
After breakfast, it's time to pipe! We'll have a wide variety of sessions each morning, some large groups, some small. The name of the game with our sessions is, as always, to help you improve as a player and love the process of playing bagpipe more and more.
1pm - LUNCH
We'll relax together for a nice lunch.
2pm - GUEST PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS!
In the afternoon, we'll welcome our guest of the day to perform for us and to deliver a workshop to the group. This a truly amazing element of hosting a gathering in Scotland - who knows who might make an appearance!
6:00pm - DINNER
Dinner is provided in the dining hall.
7pm to ??? - CHOOSE YOUR OWN (AMAZING) ADVENTURE
In the evenings, your time will be your own. We are just minutes away from Edinburgh city-centre and all it has to offer. Additionally, we will offer social gatherings for you to participate in, if you'd like to. The sky is the limit here - perhaps we can see an Inveraray practice, go to the Tattoo, attend a Fringe show, visit a bagpipe shop.... the list of possibilities go on and on!
Saturday
CHECK OUT
We'll check out Saturday by 9:30am. For those of you headed to Glasgow for the Piping Live! festivities, it's an easy 50min train from Edinburgh Waverly to get there.
Had enough piping? That's ok too! From here in Edinburgh, all of Scotland (and Europe, too, for that matter) is easily accessible to you.
Your Stay at Craigleith House
Craigleith House is a beautiful accommodation facility on campus at Fettes College, boasting comfortable en-suite rooms, with all meals provided.
"EN-SUITE" OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Craigleith House offers single rooms (with a very limited number of doubles), each with their own shower and bathroom. Our group will all be housed in the same area of the building, making it easy to stay connected throughout the week.
COMMON AREAS
The first floor of Craigleith House features amazing common rooms for guests to relax and socialize.
THREE SQUARE MEALS A DAY
Continental breakfasts and three-course lunches and dinners prepared by Fettes' in-house chefs are served in the College dining hall.
IT'S ALL INCLUDED...
The accommodations and most meals are all included as part of your registration fee.
Meet Our Hosts
Cameron Drummond
Hailing from Edinburgh, Scotland, Cameron is a full-time professional piper and Head of Piping and Drumming at Fettes College. In addition to a World Pipe Band Championship title as a bandsman, Cameron has also been successful at the highest level of solo competition in both Light Music and Piobaireachd, taking some top prizes including the Silver Star at Inverness and the Silver Chanter on the Isle of Skye.
Cameron has been a valued and popular member of the Dojo U teaching faculty for many years for his gentle, good-humoured approach and fun selection of repertoire to work on in his weekly classes.
Alasdair Henderson
Alasdair is from Dunoon, Argyll, and began his piping journey under his uncle, P/M Jim Henderson. Later, he moved to Glasgow to study Scottish Music - Piping, benefiting from the guidance of many respected pipers. A regular competitor, Alasdair boasts several wins, including the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting in Inverness and the Former Winners MSR at the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban. He played for the Scottish Power Pipe Band and then joined Inveraray and District in 2010. By 2014, he became Pipe Sergeant, leading the band to four World Championship titles. After university, Alasdair taught piping at prominent Scottish schools like George Heriot's and currently Fettes College, and has conducted workshops globally, from Europe to New Zealand.
... and more!
In addition to our featured hosts, many other favorite Piper's Dojo instructors will be in attendance. More instructors will be added based on enrollment - we'll keep you in the loop with updates as we go.
And, don't forget - we have several special guest instructors visiting the meet-up throughout the week that you are there.
More real results...
Jorge
Santiago, Chile
"I really improved my piping skills - at 81 years old!"
Nancy
Florida, USA
"Dojo U events bring many different people together from all over the world to play music as one. We learn, we laugh, we love, and we make music. Life doesn’t get better than that. The meet-up help us forget the world’s chaos and craziness for a short time and enjoy a a few days filled with beauty, blessings, maybe some beer, friendships, and bagpipes!"
Lou
Ontario, Canada
"One of my favourite workshops to-date, and I have attend many."
REGISTER NOW
INTERNATIONAL MEETUP: EDINBURGH - AUGUST 3-8, 2026
Early Bird Special: $1,799 $1,599 until January 1, 2026.
SECURE YOUR SPOT NOW WITH A $250 DEPOSIT*.
PUT DOWN YOUR DEPOSIT NOW
Our Commitment to You
We’re confident that the International Meetup will be one of the most rewarding piping experiences you’ve ever had. You’ll gain skills, inspiration, and memories that last a lifetime.
If you attend the full meetup and don’t feel you received meaningful value, just let us know within 14 days of the event’s conclusion and we’ll refund everything outside of your room and board costs — no questions asked.
Since accommodation and meal expenses are paid directly to our venue in advance, those portions are non-refundable. For extra peace of mind, we strongly recommend travel insurance to cover unforeseen cancellations or emergencies.
