2025-2026 Knockout Round 2: The Cairns Cup

Communications PPBSO-Ottawa Branch
9 hours ago
2 min read

The PPBSO Ottawa Branch continued its competitive "off-season" with its November Knockout Contest. This evening was a fast-paced event of over 5 hours of piping and a record breaking turnout for The Cairns Cup with over 16 overall contestants. A huge thank you goes out to Brian Williamson for Judging Both the Piping A and B categories this evening.

As for Drumming, we had a great turnout of 7 Tenor/Bass Contests and 4 contestants in the Snare B Category. We would like to thank all of the local teachers and bands for encouraging your drumming students to participate in our communities events. We are looking forward to collaborating and seeing how we can foster even more participation in future events. Finally, we would like to extend a thank you to Arnaud Jean-Louis and Joe Kiah for judging tonights drumming contests, sharing your expertise, keen ear and knowledge with the Branch is greatly appreciated.

Cairns Cup

The Cairns Cup is dedicated to the Founder and the first president of the Ottawa Branch, Archie MacNeil Cairns played a foundational and transformative role in shaping the piping community in Ottawa. After returning to CFB Ottawa in the early 1970s, he emerged as a central organizer, mentor, and visionary.

In January 1971, he founded the Ottawa Branch of the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO), serving as its first President and setting the standards for its early development. He also co-founded the City of Ottawa Highland Games, helping establish a vibrant competitive and cultural hub for pipers, drummers, and dancers in the region.

Cairns’ leadership extended to creating initiatives that strengthened regional collaboration and elevated performance standards. His influence shaped not only events but also judging standards, educational materials, and institutional structures that continue to guide the community today.

Through his organizational vision, musical expertise, and commitment to mentorship, Archie Cairns left an enduring legacy, ensuring the Ottawa Branch became a thriving and respected centre for piping and drumming.