Stuart Liddell
This was Stuart’s fourth visit to Manchester. Since his last visit (Spring 2000) Stuart has put his name in the record books by winning both Gold Medals at Inverness in September, 2000 and Oban in August, 2004. He also won the Piping Times Knock-Out Trophy, where he eliminated Angus McColl and Gordon Walker in the heats, and triumphed over Chris Armstrong in the final.
 
The Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, with whom Stuart plays, finished third in this year's World Pipe Band Championship and the wee Novice Juvenile band started by Stuart, Inverary and District, came a creditable 13th out of 19 in their very first competition at the Cowal Games where they were drawn number one in the programme.

Alen Tully
Alen Tully is a piper with the St. Lawrence O’Toole Pipe Band from Dublin and is the son of the well-known Pipe Major Terry Tully. He began his piping career at the age of seven and, by the time he had reached twenty one, he had become the youngest player ever in Ireland and only the second player ever to win the Junior, Intermediate and Senior All Ireland Championship titles back-to-back.
 
In 2004, his first year at senior level, he won the Ulster and All-Ireland Championships and he went one step further this year by winning the senior All Ireland Championships for the second year in succession a record that only he holds.
 
Also this year Alen took home three prizes from Scotland, this being his first year competing on the solo circuit, as well as adding a second place in Piobairaechd at the All Ireland’s. He has also been appointed Pipe Sergeant at the band, for the second year running, for the forthcominq 2006 season.