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The Highland Society of London Challenge Targe for amateur march, strathspey and reel was first contested on the 25^th of February 1939 at the 7^rd Annual Piping and Dancing Competitions of the Scottish Piping Society of London. This was held at the London Scottish Regiment Headquarters at Buckingham Gate, London SW1. The first winner was W. Ramsay from Dundee playing the Highland Wedding, the Shepherd’s Crook and the Sheepwife. There were 12 entrants.

 An amateur MSR wasn’t again contested for 8 years owing to the war, when it was again run in 1947. The notes from this event are brief but it was likely the Targe was contested then. It is named explicitly in the record of amateur MSR competitions from 1949 onwards.

 This is the one of oldest trophies associated with the London Competition. The oldest is the William Gillies Memorial Challenge Trophy for the Open Piobaireachd, which was first contested the year before. The Bratach Gorm itself was first contested in 1938.

 The Highland Society of London is a registered charity with amongst its objectives “relieving distressed Highlanders at a distance from their native homes”. It was founded in 1778 by Highland gentlemen resident in London and awards Gold Medals annually at the Northern Meeting and Argylshire Gathering.

The Highland Society of London Challenge Targe is quite possibly the oldest amateur MSR piping contest in the world. For a period during the 1990s until 2004 it appeared to be competed for by “professional” pipers in the last 2 years of this phase at “B”grade. Since 2004 it found its home again as a highly regarded amateur competition with a central place at the London Competition. The SPSL have worked collaboratively with the CLASP to enhance the competitive context of the event and recognise the importance of continuing to develop support, and a competition structure, for interested amateur pipers. Although CLASP membership is required to compete there is no entry fee and thus very little different in financial terms to compete in the “Highland Club” prior to joining with the CLASP. Only those in the highest amateur grade (1) are eligible for this event. Since 2008 under 18s have no longer been permitted to enter following the establishment of a events dedicated to this age group.

Previous winners of the Highland Society of London Challenge Targe as an amateur competition are not as notable as for the Highland Club but does include names such as James Begg and Roderick Livingstone. Prizes have been secured by Stuart Sheddon and Mike Cusak. This is a historic and prestigious competition in piping, let alone amateur piping, and the SPSL is proud to continue to offer such a contest.

The London Highland Club Challenge Cup for amateur piobaireachd was first contested on the 23^rd of February 1935 at the 3^rd Annual Piping and Dancing Competitions of the Scottish Piping Society of London. This was held at the London Scottish Regiment Headquarters at Buckingham Gate, London SW1. The first winner was Donald Ramsay from Avonbridge  playing the Lament for Donald of Laggan. He also won the boys under 18 March. This is the second oldest trophy associated with the London Competition. The London Highland Club is a Scottish country dance club in the London area which runs Scottish country dance functions. It was founded in 1923 to meet the social need of young Highlanders in London. Over the years, it developed into its current form.

The London Highland Club Challenge Cup is quite possibly the oldest amateur piping contest in the world. Since 2004 it has been returned to it's original highly regarded amateur status. As with the Highland Society Targe, CLASP membership is required to compete but there is no entry fee and thus very little different in financial terms to compete in the “Highland Club” prior to joining with the CLASP. Again, only those in the highest amateur grade (1) are eligible for this event. Since 2008 under 18s have no longer been permitted to enter following the inception of the seperate Juvenile events.

Previous winners of the London Highland Club Challenge Cup as an amateur competition include Bratach Gorm winner 2009 Iain Spiers (1989) and SPSL member and former Gillies winner John Angus Smith (1979). Other notables in the prize lists include Mike Cusak 2^nd in 1977 and Stuart Sheddon 2^nd in 1980. This is another historic and prestigious competition in piping, as keenly fought for as any open event, and again the SPSL is proud to continue to offer such a contest.