The Keith Radley Hutchison Award

Keith Hutchison (1957–1997) was an enthusiastic supporter of all things Scottish in Montreal. After his sudden and untimely passing, his friends created this award in his memory to encourage and support excellent pipers and to maintain the strong ties that have existed between The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada and the St. Andrew's Society.

The award is given annually to a piper at the Black Watch who possesses exceptional piping skills, has demonstrated a strong ability to play the instrument solo, and who possesses an excellent character.

2026 Recipient

(left to right) Piper Nolan Cunningham; St. Andrew's Society Past President Ian Aitken

The 2026 winner is Piper Nolan Cunningham.
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Nolan Cunningham exemplifies and exceeds the award’s criteria through his dedication, skill, and commitment to the piping community.

A devoted solo and pipe band player, Piper Cunningham was raised in the Black Watch piping tradition. His progression reflects both talent and perseverance: beginning as a learner and cadet, advancing to membership in the Association Pipe Band, and now serving as a volunteer with the Regimental Pipe Band. He is an invaluable member of the Regimental Family of The Black Watch piping and drumming community.

His dedication is further demonstrated through his leadership at the Black Watch Piping and Drumming School, where he has taken on a leading instructional role during Saturday morning sessions at the armoury. Working with a small team of instructors, he is achieving strong results and passing on his knowledge in the same tradition in which he was trained.

An accomplished solo piper, Piper Cunningham has also distinguished himself in competition, notably at the Ottawa Branch of the Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario indoor knockout events.

Previous winners:
1998   Pipe Major Jordon Anderson
1999   Piper Stephane Chamberland
2000   Piper Philip Butler
2001   Piper Jeff Thorpe
2002   Piper Brent Schaus
2003   Pipe Major Cameron Stevens
2004   Piper Hugh Dowell
2005   Piper Josh Odermatt
2006   Piper Terri Lynn McLaren
2007   Piper Ian Leblanc
2008   Piper Ron Rice
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2013  Piper Alexandre Leger
2014  Piper Maxime Langevin
2015  Piper Robert W. Kerr
2016  Piper Malcolm David Cox
​2017  Piper Sasha Mathew
2018  Piper Patrick Leduc
2019  Piper Alec McGuckin
2020 Piper Robert Kerr
​2021  Piper Bruce Bolton
​2022 Piper Kevin Toupin
2023 Piper Annie Jacques
2024 Piper Nolan Cunningham
​2025 Piper Gabriel Harris
​2026 Piper Nolan Cunningham