Each band performs multiple routines on the day competing for The McMullin Shield for the most outstanding band in traditional Piping, Drumming & Drill, the Scottish Australian Heritage Council Trophy for the runner up, and the Celtic Warriors Ceremonial Sword for the band in third place. The Aberdeen Highland Games President’s Perpetual Trophy for best display bands placed first and second.
President’s Drum Major Awards were instigated by DM Joe Royston and commenced in 2019 with the trophies being kindly presented by the Maitland Pipe Band. The trophy plus $50.00 to be presented to the Best Drum Major on the day in both Senior and Junior divisions.
Under the expert direction of the Senior Drum Major, the bands come together as one at the opening and closing ceremonies, creating a mass band of hundreds of pipers and drummers in a truly impressive spectacle that should not be missed.
Aberdeen Highland Games has, over the past 25 years, attracted a number of bands on a regular basis. These bands have included:
Armidale Pipe Band, City of Blacktown, City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band, Cessnock RSL Pipe Band, Clan MacLeod Pipe Band, Coffs Coast Pipes & Drums/NSW Highlanders, Dubbo Pipes & Drums, Goulbourn RSL Pipe Band, Hills District Pipe Band, Lithgow Highland Pipe Band, Manly Warringah Pipe Band, McEwan Pipe Band, Maitland Pipe Band, Moree Caledonian Pipe Band, New South Wales Highlanders, North Ryde RSL Pipe Band, Plains Pipes & Drums, Scone RSL Pipes & Drums, Singleton/Hornsby/Conobalas Pipe Band, Scots Old Boys Pipe Band, Scots All Saints College Pipe Band, Sydney Thistle Pipe Band, Tamworth & District Pipe Band, The Drum Line, The Pipe Band Club, Tullibardine Pipe Band, United Mineworkers Pipe Band, Wingham Services Pipe Band and the Grafton Services Club Pipe Band.