Some of Scotland’s top competitive pipers will meet in Inverness next month (Saturday 14 April) to vie for a new prestigious prize.

The Culloden Cèol Mòr, the newest addition to the competitive piping circuit, marks the anniversary of the Battle of Culloden and the rededication of the battlefield after work to restore it to its original condition.

Playing piobaireachd connected to the Jacobites and the Battle of Culloden, the four pipers - Willie McCallum, Angus McColl, Euan MacCrimmon and Dr Angus MacDonald – will compete for the new National Trust for Scotland trophy at the Drumossie Hotel.

Alexander Bennett, Culloden Project Co-ordinator, who is organising the event in conjunction with the National Piping Centre, said: “We are currently building a new visitor centre at Culloden and work has just been finished to restore the Battlefield.

“This seemed an extremely appropriate time to mark the musical heritage of Culloden with an event which celebrates Scotland’s national instrument – one which was banned in the aftermath of the Battle.”

Roddy MacLeod, Principal of the National Piping Centre, said: “We are delighted to have four such celebrated pipers taking part in the inaugural year of what we hope will become an annual fixture in the piping calendar.”

The piping competition is taking place as part of a weekend of events to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle. On Sunday 15 April at the Drumossie Hotel top local musician Bruce MacGregor presents Beyond the Battle – Culloden in Music, bringing together some of the finest traditional musicians to perform music and song connected to the Battle.

The annual anniversary service, organised by the Gaelic Society of Inverness, takes place at 11 am on Saturday 14 April at Culloden Battlefield and will include a prayer of rededication. On Monday 16 April, the exact anniversary of the battle, pipers will play on the Battlefield at 1 pm for one hour – the duration of the battle in which over 1000 people lost their lives.

Tickets for all the anniversary events are available from www.nts.org.uk/Events  calling 0131 243 9358 or at Culloden Visitor Centre or Caberfeidh Bagpipe Supplies in the Victorian Market, Inverness .