IMPACT &

REACH

Supported Programmes

Piping and drumming tuition in school communities all over Scotland is driven by local people. SSPDT provides support in a range of ways to bolster what the local community can achieve by themselves.

Our resources are focused on helping those who are least likely to participate get a step up and into the world of piping and drumming and here you will find examples of some of the projects we have worked with.

Aberdeenshire Schools

Date of Award
2015
Grant Recipient
Banff Academy (Aberdeenshire Council)
Award
Funding for the salary of a piping tutor for one year, working in Banff Academy and five feeder primary schools.
In July 2018: The loan of six new sets of pipes, with small bags and adjustable pipes, for young children. SSPDT helped introduce piping for the first time in Aberdeenshire schools by funding a piping tutor for Banff Academy and its feeder primary schools. Demand to learn was huge with over 140 pupils opting in. After that, SSPDT partnered with Aberdeenshire Council to fund a full time piping tutor and a part time drumming tutor who work across three schools clusters. The Aberdeenshire Schools Pipe Band launched in 2017. “In my past role as a head teacher I have seen how a pipe band not only develops the skills for life, learning and work, but can also help to close the attainment gap.” Andrew Ritchie, Lead Officer for Developing the Young Workforce in Aberdeenshire and former head teacher of Banff Academy

Aberdeenshire Schools

Alford Academy

Date of Awards
2023, 2025
Grant Recipient
Alford Academy
Award
The loan of 10 sets of bagpipes over three years.

In 2025, a grant of £5,000 was awarded by SSPDT to support drumming at Alford Academy.

Alford Academy

Argyll and Bute Schools

Date of Award
November 2020
Grant Recipient
Argyll and Bute Council
Award
Funding towards the purchase of 50 e-chanters to unlock online face-to-face teaching in 39 schools – both one to one and in pairs and small groups – in Argyll and Bute.

Argyll and Bute Schools

Arran Schools

Date of Awards
2017, 2023, 2025
Grant Recipient
Isle of Arran Schools Pipes and Drums
Award
Three years of matched funding towards piping and drumming tuition in Arran High School and seven feeder primary schools (Lamlash, Whiting Bay, Brodick, Kilmory, Shiskine, Corrie and Pirnmill). In August 2021 we awarded a further three years of matched funding to support the Isle of Arran Schools’ Pipe Band tuition programme, and in April 2023 we awarded funding towards summer workshops for piping and drumming pupils. In May 2022 we awarded the loan of 12 sets of pipes over three years. “Our project evolved from a chance conversation with a member of the local pipe band at a Burns’ Supper and is now a fantastic, fully-fledged (and pledged) programme. We have huge community wide support, with schools being central to this.” James O’Neil, Former Faculty Head of Music, Arran High School

In 2025 Isle of Arran Music School was supported by SSPDT to build a long term plan for sustainability of the project.

Arran Schools

ScottishSchoolsPipeBandChampionships2026-389_1000x750

Balerno Schools

Date of Awards
2018, 2020, 2021
Grant Recipient
Balerno & District Schools Pipe Band
Award
A start-up grant for one year to support presentations to pupils, a Kick Start weekend, and club/band practice for one year. December 2019: The loan of 15 sets of bagpipes over three years, and since then we have also awarded funding towards e-chanter(s) and drumming equipment. SSPDT worked with local parents and teachers to set up this programme, and provided some Start Up funding to get it going. The band has since benefited from financial support for tuition at the school through SSPDT.

Balerno Schools

Balfron High School

Date of Award
May 2017
Grant Recipient
Balfron High School
Award
A grant towards the purchase of pipe band drums. The Balfron High School Pipe Band performed at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships for the first time in 2018 and won their category!

Balfron High School

Scottish_Schools_Pipe_Band_Championships_1000x750

Berwickshire Schools

Date of Awards
2019, 2022

Grant Recipient
The Berwickshire Youth Piping and Drumming Foundation

Award
Matched funding towards first year costs of a new schools pipe band programme at Berwickshire High School and feeder primary schools. March 2022: We awarded a further two years of matched funding towards tuition costs, and in August 2022 we awarded the loan of 22 sets of bagpipes over three years.

Berwickshire Schools

Braeview Schools

Date of Award
September 2017
Grant Recipient
Dundee City Council
Award
Matched funding across three years towards a new pipe band programme at Braeview Academy and Fintry, Mills of Mains, Longhaugh, and Ballumbie primary schools.
March 2020: The loan of 45 sets of pipes over three years, and in February 2023 we awarded matched funding to support the Dundee Schools Pipe Band to take part in the StraMu-Wuerzburg festival. This tuition programme has proved very popular in an area where take-up of other instruments has been low. Find out more about the DD4 pipe band in this short video.

Braeview Schools

Barrhead Schools

Date of Award
August 2016
Grant Recipient
East Renfrewshire Council
Award
Three years of matched funding towards free piping and drumming tuition at Barrhead High School and primary schools Springhill and Auchenback, Carlibar, St Luke’s, St Mark’s and St John’s, plus band practice at Carlibar.
July 2018: The loan of 15 sets of bagpipes for three years.

Barrhead Schools

Craiglockhart Primary School

Date of Award
January 2017
Grant Recipient
Craiglockhart Primary Schools Parents Association
Award
The loan of four sets of bagpipes for two years.

Craiglockhart Primary Schools

Crieff Schools

Date of Award
September 2016
Grant Recipient
Crieff High School Pipe Band
Award
Funding for one year, administered by the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band, towards piping and drumming tuition at Crieff High School and five feeder primary schools.
SSPDT helped to fund tuition delivered by the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band for one year, and we are delighted that the school now engages tutors for the pupils.

Crieff Schools

Castlebay Community School

Date of Awards
2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025
Grant Recipient
Castlebay Community School
Award
Funding towards pupil travel costs involved in participating in the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band, and in July 2021 matched funding was awarded for three years towards piping tuition costs.
“Provision of chanter and piping tuition equips youngsters with musical skills and forges inter-island creative links. Our young people carry forward the traditional music and culture of our islands.” Suzanne Forman, Head Teacher, Castlebay Community School

Castlebay Community School

Castlemilk High School

Date of Awards
2023, 2024, 2025
Grant Recipient
Castlemilk High School
Award
Three years of matched funding towards drumming tuition costs.

Castlemilk HS has also been awarded 20 sets of pipes on loan from 2025 to accommodate their growing programme.

Castlemilk High School

Dumfries High School

Date of Award
December 2020
Grant Recipient
Dumfries High School
Award
Funding towards the cost of e-chanter(s) and speakers to enable face to face teaching.

Dumfries High School

Dunbar Primary School

Date of Award
April 2021
Grant Recipient
Dunbar Primary School
Award
A grant to match fund the costs of a Piper in Residence, for one day per week, from August 2021 for one year.
SSPDT was delighted to support East Lothian Council’s first Piper in Residence as part of their Musician in Residence Scheme. Find out more about the scheme and hear from the pupils involved in this short video.

Dunbar Primary School

Dundee Schools

Date of Awards
2017, 2023, 2025
Grant Recipient
Dundee Schools Pipe Band, Dundee City Council.
Award
Grant funding has been awarded to piping and drumming projects in the Dundee area over the years to support tuition in schools as well as cultural experiences for young people in the band. These projects continue to thrive on the back of support from local volunteers and the schools themselves.

Dundee Schools

East Lothian Pipe Bands

Date of Award
2015
Grant Recipient
Cockenzie & Port Seton Royal British Legion Pipe Band, Haddington Pipe Band, Musselburgh Pipe Band, North Berwick Pipe Band and Prestonpans Royal British Legion Pipe Band
Award
Funding to each East Lothian pipe band towards piping and drumming tuition for young members
Whilst SSPDT now funds schools tuition programmes, when it was set up in East Lothian as the East Lothian Pipes and Drums Trust we wanted to help local community pipe bands to attract young people, and so the Trust helped to fund evening tuition sessions for young people. Now we focus on schools. We know that, with enough young people learning in schools, community pipe bands will benefit as well from the influx of new players.

East Lothian Pipe Bands

Date of Award
2016
Grant Recipient
Barrhead High School Cluster
Award
Grant

East Renfrewshire Schools

Edinburgh Schools

Date of Awards
2017, 2018, 2022, 2024
Grant Recipient
Edinburgh Council Sounds Like Friday/ Saturday YMI Programmes, Friends of Pilrig Park,
Award
A number of grants have been awarded across the city to support tuition of piping and drumming.

The loan of 4 sets of bagpipes for two years to support primary school pupils learning to play at Youth Music Initiative sessions in Broughton, Forrester, and Craigroyston High schools, and at Merchiston Castle School and Parkside Primary School.

Edinburgh Schools

Elgin Schools

Date of Award
March 2019
Grant Recipient
Elgin Schools Pipes and Drums
Award
A grant towards Kick Start weekends and club/ band practice for pupils at Elgin High School, and Greenwards, New Elgin, Linkwood, Mosstowie primary schools.
August 2020: The loan of 48 sets of bagpipes over three years.

Elgin Schools

Falkirk Schools

Date of Awards
2019, 2020, 2022
Grant Recipient
Falkirk Council
Award
The loan of 15 sets of bagpipes to support the development of a Falkirk Schools Pipe Band, and in January 2020 we awarded three years of matched funding towards drumming tuition costs.
November 2022: The loan of a further 10 sets of pipes over three years.

Falkirk Schools

Fife Council

Date of Award
August 2015
Grant Recipient
Fife Council
Award
The loan of 50 sets of pipes for two years.

Fife Council

Firhill Pipe Band

Date of Award
March 2016
Grant Recipient
Firhill Pipe Band
Award
The loan of four sets of bagpipes, initially for two years, extended to December 2019.

Firhill Pipe Band

Forres Schools

Date of Award
March 2019
Grant Recipient
Moray Youth Pipes and Drums Association
Award
Matched funding over two years towards the costs of a new schools pipe band programme at Forres Academy and feeder primary schools. In November 2022 we awarded matched funding towards a new Moray-wide scheme which could reach most, if not all, schools in the area. In August 2020 we awarded the loan of 33 sets of bagpipes over three years.

Forres Schools

Garnock Community Campus Cluster

Date of Awards
2016, 2020, 2026
Grant Recipient
Garnock Valley Pipes and Drums
Award
Three years of matched funding towards pipe band tuition for 150 pupils at Garnock Community Campus Secondary and its feeder primary schools: Garnock Community Campus, Dalry, Moorpark, Beith and Gateside.
March 2019: The loan of 17 sets of bagpipes over three years, and in January 2020 we awarded further matched funding towards programme tuition costs.

SSPDT development support has helped grow and sustain this project over the long term.

“SSPDT have been fundamental in the success of the project and the inclusion of all the young people learning the pipes and drums.” Ian Broughton, Former Chair, Garnock Valley Pipes and Drums

Garnock Community Campus Cluster

Girvan Schools

Date of Awards
2016, 2018
Grant Recipient
South Ayrshire Council
Award
Matched funding across three years towards piping and drumming tuition in up to six rural primary schools feeding into Girvan High School. Further matched funding was awarded in November 2018 towards the tuition programme, and this was then reallocated to the Girvan Youth Pipe Band Association as of October 2019, which is managing the programme going forward. Girvan used to have a community pipe band. With this injection of tuition into schools we hope that, in time, the band might reform. The William Grant Foundation provided three year funding with SSPDT and the council to get this programme started.

Girvan Schools

Glasgow Schools Piping & Drumming

Date of Awards
2017, 2019, 2023, 2024
Grant Recipient
Glasgow City Council,
John Paul Academy, Castlemilk, Hollybrook Academy
Award
SSPDT has been delighted to support Glasgow schools piping and drumming over a substantial period of time. With investment in kick starting activities leading to regular tuition across a number of schools this has enabled the development of the city wide band and in 2026 a development band. Glasgow CREATE team are extremely dedicated and professional in developing piping and drumming activities across the city. This work has also been supported by the William Grant Foundation and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

This programme has also been supported by SSPDT through the loan of bagpipes.

Glasgow Schools

Govan Schools

Date of Awards
2014, 2022, 2020
Grant Recipient
Govan Schools Pipes & Drums Association
Award
Matched funding across three years towards piping and drumming tuition. Only a few years ago, there was no pipe band in Govan – watch this short video about the origins of the Govan tuition programme. At the 2022 Scottish Pipe Band Championships, the Govan Schools and Community Pipe Band became Grade 4B Scottish Champions as a band and as a drum corp – a fantastic achievement! “I’ve seen kids come in here with no self confidence and witnessed the changes that learning an instrument can bring about. It’s amazing to see what piping and drumming can do – learning a skill, making friendships that will last a lifetime, being part of something.” Iain Watson – Piping Tutor, Govan Schools

Govan Schools

Haddington Schools

Date of Award
April 2016
Grant Recipient
Knox Academy
Award
Matched funding towards the costs of piping and drumming instruction at Knox Academy and cluster primary schools, together with travel costs.

Haddington Schools

High Life Highland

Date of Awards
2018, 2019, 2023
Grant Recipient
High Life Highland
Award
Funding across two years to underwrite a new full time drumming post to bring tuition to all the primary schools and secondary schools in Lochalsh and on the Isle of Skye.

In March 2019 we awarded funding for three years to underwrite a new snare drumming post for North East Highland Schools. In March 2023, we awarded the loan of 20 sets of pipes over three years for Ullapool and Gairloch High Schools and associated primary schools.

High Life Highland

Hollybrook Academy

Date of Award
January 2024
Grant Recipient
Hollybrook Academy, Govan
Award
Three years funding for 6 practice chanters in year 1 and subsequently to help fund trips to band events to inspire pupils.

Hollybrook Academy

Inverclyde Schools

Date of Award
2022, 2026
Grant Recipient
Inverclyde Schools
Award
Matched funding spread across three years towards tuition and band practice costs, and to support the development of an Inverclyde Schools Pipe Band, in partnership with another philanthropic co-funder. SSPDT has further supported drumming tuition in the area to help build a pipe band in the area.

Inverclyde Schools

Isle of Bute Schools

Date of Award
October 2016
Grant Recipient
Rothesay and District Pipe Band
Award
Matched funding across three years towards piping and drumming tuition at Rothesay Academy and primary schools Rothesay, St Andrew’s and North Bute.

Isle of Bute Schools

Isle of Skye Schools

Date of Awards
2016, 2023, 2026
Grant Recipient
Skye Youth Pipe Band
Award
Matched funding across three years towards snare and tenor drumming tuition for over 50 pupils at Portree High School and feeder primary schools McDairmid and Portree, plus pipe band workshops for pupils from across Skye. In August 2023, funding was awarded towards the purchase of pipe band drums.
We’re pleased that High Life Highland are now employing a full time drumming tutor, a post underwritten by SSPDT, to bring drumming tuition to pupils on a sustained basis.

In 2026 the development of the Isle of Skye Youth Pipe Band has also been strengthened with the addition of a piping apprentice position.

Isle of Skye Schools

Isle of Tiree Schools

Date of Award
April 2017
Grant Recipient
Tiree Piping Society
Award
Funding across three years towards piping tuition and tutor travel costs for ten pupils at Tiree High School and Primary School.
September 2018: The loan of 6 sets of bagpipes for three years, and in December 2019 the loan of a further 6 sets. It is sometimes hard to find tutors for the islands. Skype lessons are often used, along with bi-weekly or monthly visits to the island, but travel is expensive and often disrupted by the weather! We are delighted that the pupils on Tiree now have a tutor living on the island, and are well on the way to a re-formed pipe band!

Isle of Tiree Schools

Kilmarnock Schools

Date of Award
August 2016
Grant Recipient
East Ayrshire Council
Award
Matched funding for three years towards the costs of drumming tuition in a cluster of primary schools feeding into Kilmarnock High School and James Hamilton Academy, and in October 2019 we awarded a further three years of funding towards the Kilmarnock Schools Pipe Band programme.
We were delighted that Virgin Money agreed to sponsor this programme for 3 years and funded the costs of the piping instructor. Within ten months of tuition starting, a small band performed at an Edinburgh Festival event, which was also sponsored by Virgin Money. A tremendous opportunity for the young people! “East Ayrshire Council Education Department is extremely grateful to SSPDT for all their support and guidance in setting up a wonderful partnership opportunity to develop piping and drumming in the Kilmarnock area.” John Wilson, Senior Education Manager, East Ayrshire Council

Kilmarnock Schools

KINROSS-SHIRE SCHOOLS

Date of Awards
2018, 2021, 2022, 2025
Grant Recipient
Kinross Youth Pipes and Drums
Award
Matched funding across three years towards tuition, travel and band practice across the Kinross High School cluster.

November 2022: The loan of 50 sets of pipes over three years.

Kinross-shire Schools

Kintyre Schools

Date of Award
December 2019
Grant Recipient
The Kintyre Pipe Band Association
Award
Funding across three years towards drumming tuition costs.

Kintyre Schools

Larkhall Schools

Date of Awards
2019, 2023, 2025, 2026
Grant Recipient
Larkhall Youth Pipes and Drums
Award
Matched funding over three years towards the costs of a new schools pipe band programme, and in April 2023 further funding was awarded to match fund the costs of piping and drumming tuition.
August 2022: The loan of 35 sets of bagpipes over three years. This programme is the first time pupils in South Lanarkshire schools have received tuition for the pipes and drums. We are very pleased that the William Grant Foundation, recognising the benefit of this programme to the young people, has chosen to partner the programme by awarding further grant funding towards the costs of tuition. “We’re delighted to be involved in this initiative, with our young people receiving pipes and drums tuition. We’re acutely aware of the benefits for young people who play in a band: teamwork, resilience and discipline are just some of the transferable skills gained, which will help in academic study and future careers.” Andy Smith, Head Teacher, Larkhall Academy

This programme has also benefited from funding from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Larkhall Schools

Larbert High School

Date of Awards
2019, 2021
Grant Recipient
Larbert High School
Award
A grant towards the purchase of bagpipes and a set of drums for tuition at Larbert High School, and in February 2021 we awarded funding towards the purchase of 30 e-chanters for use in the School of Piping and Drumming, Falkirk Council Pipe Band and cluster primary schools.

Larbert High School

Lewis and Harris Schools

Date of Awards
2016, 2019, 2024
Grant Recipient
Lewis and Harris Youth Pipe Band Supporters Association, The Nicholson Institute
Award
Matched funding across three years towards the costs of a new trainee drumming instructor, to deliver lessons in schools and to develop the Lewis and Harris Youth Pipe Band.

SSPDT has also enabled the development of the drumming programme in Lewis and Harris with support from partners Turcan Connell.

Lewis and Harris Schools

Lochalsh Junior Pipe Band

Date of Awards
2015, 2018.
Grant Recipient
Lochalsh Junior Pipe Band
Award
Two years of matched funding towards tuition fees for drumming at Auchtertyre and Kyle Primary Schools and Plockton High School.
In January 2018 we awarded a further one year of matched funding towards drumming tuition, to get development corps started for up to 30 additional pupils interested in drumming. We’re pleased that High Life Highland are now employing a full time drumming tutor, a post underwritten by SSPDT, to bring drumming tuition to pupils on a sustained basis.

Lochalsh Junior Pipe Band

Lossiemouth Schools

Date of Award
July 2018
Grant Recipient
Lossiemouth and District Schools Pipes and Drums Band
Award
A grant to fund Kick Start costs and band practice for one year for Lossiemouth High School and four feeder primary schools. November 2018: The loan of 15 sets of bagpipes over three years. SSPDT planned and set up this tuition programme with a local committee, and provided Start Up funds, and guidance. “Not only does the programme develop musical talent, it is very encouraging to see new friendships being formed and pupils are increasingly developing in confidence.” Fiona Caldwell, Piping Tutor, Lossiemouth and District Schools Pipes and Drums Band

Lossiemouth Schools

Mull and Iona Schools

Date of Award
2015, 2017
Grant Recipient
Mull and Iona Schools Pipers
Award
Matched funding towards one day of drumming tuition and related travel costs, supporting 25+ pupils, complementing council funded piping tuition, with an additional year of funding awarded in December 2017. In November 2021, three-year matched funding was awarded to the Tobermory High School Pipe Band to continue the support of drumming tuition, centred in the school.
By funding drumming tuition on Mull, schools were able to create a pipe band.

Mull and Iona Schools

Madras College

Date of Award
March 2020
Grant Recipient
Madras College
Award
The loan of 12 sets of pipes over three years.

Madras College

Marr College

Date of Award
March 2022
Grant Recipient
Marr College
Award
The loan of 7 sets of bagpipes over three years.

Marr College

Maryhill and Summerston Schools

Date of Award
May 2019
Grant Recipient
John Paul Academy
Award
Matched funding over three years towards the costs of a new schools pipe band programme.
“We firmly believe our Pipes and Drums project will become a major asset to the wider achievement of all schools involved. We are indebted to SSPDT for their support and willingness to believe in our project and for their continued guidance.” Head of Expressive Arts, John Paul Academy, Glasgow

Maryhill and Summerston Schools

McLaren Schools

Date of Award
March 2017
Grant Recipient
McLaren High School
Award
Funding across three years towards drumming and piping tuition and pipe band workshops for 24 secondary school pupils and primary school pupils.
Whilst piping and drumming in central Stirling schools is flourishing, McLaren High School struggled to find drumming tuition or enough piping tuition to support a band. So sixth former pupils started to teach younger pupils at the high school and SSPDT stepped in with three year funding that has extended tuition out to the primary schools – in a catchment area that spans 700 square miles!

McLaren Schools

Meldrum Academy

Date of Award
November 2021
Grant Recipient
Meldrum Academy
Award
The loan of 15 sets of bagpipes over three years.

Meldrum Schools

Moffat Schools

Date of Awards
2019, 2022.
Grant Recipient
Moffat Academy
Award
Funding towards band practice for one year at Moffat Academy to develop a schools pipe band. December 2019: The loan of 12 sets of bagpipes over three years, and in March 2022 we awarded three years of matched funding to the SWSPDA towards piping and drumming tuition at Moffat Academy, and to support the development of the Moffat Academy and Beattock Cluster Schools Pipe Band.

Moffat Schools

Morningside Youth Pipe Band

Date of Award
2014/15
Grant Recipient
Morningside Youth Pipe Band
Award
Funding towards tuition costs.

Morningside Youth Pipe Band

North Ayrshire Council

Date of Awards
2015, 2022
Grant Recipient
North Ayrshire Council
Award
Matched funding towards drumming tuition and band practice for over 50 pupils from P4 to S5 in five primary schools and Kilwinning and Garnock Academies, plus a grant in September 2016 towards a one-day piping and drumming workshop.

North Ayrshire Council

North West Community Campus

Date of Award
March 2022
Grant Recipient
South West of Scotland Piping & Drumming Academy
Award
Three years of matched funding towards piping and drumming tuition, and to support the development of the North West Community Campus School Pipe Band.

North West Community Campus

Pilrig Park School

Date of Award
April 2017
Grant Recipient
Pilrig Park School & National Piping Centre
Award
A grant to introduce a pilot project delivered with the National Piping Centre in partnership with the Parent Council and the school.
July 2017: Three year matched funding to Pilrig Park School towards piping and drumming tuition, with further awarded in May 2022, and the loan of 2 sets of bagpipes for three years from 2019.
There is no music teacher at this secondary school for pupils with additional support needs. We are thrilled that pupils are now thoroughly enjoying their piping and drumming lessons.
Watch talented drummer, Hamish Wood, from Pilrig Park School here.
“I am absolutely thrilled with the progress that every student has made over the last year and I am really looking forward to what this year will bring. I fully anticipate to have a small drum corps formed during this time and will continually strive to achieve the very best for the Pilrig Park High School project.”
David Murray – Drumming Tutor

Pilrig Park School

Perth City and Highland Schools

Date of Award
September 2015
Grant Recipient
Vale of Atholl Pipe Band
Award
Matched funding towards drumming and piping tuition and in-school workshops for over 130 pupils from P4 to P7 in 15 primary schools. In addition, four sets of bagpipes on loan for two years.

Perth City and Highland Schools

Perth Schools

Date of Award
March 2020
Grant Recipient
Perth and Kinross Council
Award
Funding across three years to match fund the salary costs of 0.5FT and 0.3FT piping and drumming tutors at Perth Grammar School and associated primary schools.

Perth Schools

Preston Lodge High School and Cluster

Date of Award
2007
Grant Recipient
Preston Lodge High School and Cluster Primary Schools
Award
Salaried tuition posts funded by the Colonel James Gardiner Memorial Fund. September 2016: Funding towards the costs of drums. This is the Trust’s earliest schools pipe band programme. The school now fields a Development, Novice Juvenile and Juvenile band and the pupils compete in major national and international competitions. All the pupils who have graduated from the school and the pipe bands have achieved positive destinations in work, training or further education. “Young people of all ages and all abilities have benefited immeasurably from the pipe band programme at Prestonpans schools. Not only do students learn the skills of piping and/ or drumming, but they also learn many complex skills, such as teamwork, resilience, flexibility and self discipline.” Gavin Clark, Head Teacher, Preston Lodge High School

Preston Lodge High School and Cluster

Renfrewshire Schools

Date of Award
2017
Grant Recipient
Renfrewshire Council
Award
Matched funding over two years towards piping and drumming tuition in Linwood High School, Johnstone High School and St Benedict’s High School and feeder primary schools.
SSPDT first partnered Johnstone Pipe Band to bring tuition to schools in Johnstone and Linwood, and the programme expanded from there. We then partnered Renfrewshire Council, and in 2018 Renfrewshire Council decided to take the programme in-house so that the piping and drumming tutors become part of their team. Over 240 pupils are now receiving weekly piping tuition.
Watch Renfrewshire Schools’ 3rd place Freestyle performance from the 2020 Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships here.
“We’ve been absolutely delighted with the uptake and progress of pupils in two areas that had previously proved extremely tricky for our Music Service to recruit in.”
Morag Currie – Former Youth Music Development Officer, Renfrewshire Council

Renfrewshire Schools

Sanquhar Schools

Date of Award
June 2015
Grant Recipient
Sanquhar Academy
Award
Matched funding across three years towards piping and drumming tuition for 50 pupils at two primary schools and Sanquhar Academy.
There is a proud history of pipe bands in this post-industrial area. SSPDT provided three year support for tuition at Sanquhar Academy and its cluster primary schools.

Sanquhar Schools

e-Sgoil (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Music Tuition Programme)

Date of Award
December 2018
Grant Recipient
Lewis and Harris Youth Pipe Band
Award
The loan of 13 sets of bagpipes to the Lewis and Harris Youth Pipe Band. In March 2019, the loan of a further 7 sets of bagpipes and in October 2019, the loan of a further 20 sets, bringing the total to 40.

e-Sgoil (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Music Tuition Programme)

Scottish_Schools_Pipe_Band_Championships_137_1000x750 (1)

Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band

Date of Awards
2017, 2019, 2023
Grant Recipient
Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band
Award
Matched funding towards drumming tuition for one year at Sgoil Lionacleit and six feeder primary schools, with additional matched funding awarded in February 2023. Matched funding was also awarded in 2019 towards drumming workshops.
August 2020: The loan of 12 sets of bagpipes to e-Sgoil for the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band.
We are pleased to have helped Sgoil Lionacleit form a development corps with our grant towards drumming tuition.
Watch Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band’s 2nd place Freestyle performance from the 2020 Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships here.

Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band

South West of Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy

Date of Awards
2018, 2019, 2022.
Grant Recipient
South West of Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy
Award
The loan of 9 sets of bagpipes over three years.
May 2019: Matched funding for three years towards tuition costs, and in March 2022 we awarded matched funding to support piping and drumming Saturday workshops to bring pupils together from across Dumfries and Galloway. “I am very grateful to SSPDT for the loan of bagpipes. For some pupils, accessing their own pipes would be a financial impossibility and so the loan is a highly practical and important way of supporting piping among our young people. The pipes are high-quality and will be much appreciated by our pupils in Dumfries and Galloway.” Allan MacMillan, ex-Trustee & Tutor, SWSPDA

South West of Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy

Skye Youth Pipe Band

Date of Awards
2016, 2022, 2026
Grant Recipient
Skye Youth Pipe Band
Award
This programme has benefited from support of SSPDT towards improving the teaching capacity of the programme through the addition of apprentices.

Skye Youth Pipe Band

Stanley Primary School

Date of Award
March 2019
Grant Recipient
Caledonian Piping Club
Award
The loan of 15 sets of bagpipes over three years.

Stanley Primary School

Stirling Schools

Date of Award
March 2018
Grant Recipient
Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band
Award
Funding towards the purchase of pipe band drums for the Junior Band, which involves children from four different school clusters in the region.

Stirling Schools

Strathmore Schools

Date of Awards
2019, 2021, 2023, 2026
Grant Recipient
Strathmore Schools Piping and Drumming Association
Award
Matched funding across three years towards tuition, travel and band practice across the Blairgowrie High School cluster.
November 2022: The loan of 30 sets of pipes over three years.

Strathmore Schools

Stromness Schools

Date of Award
February 2018
Grant Recipient
Stromness Academy
Award
A grant to purchase a set of pipe band drums, and the loan of 12 sets of bagpipes over three years.
Teachers at Stromness Academy have been working towards setting up a pipe band for some time. SSPDT has been able to help with the provision of loaned pipes and a set of pipe band drums.

Stromness Schools

Tarbert Schools

Date of Award
September 2017
Grant Recipient
Fèis an Tairbeirt
Award
Funding towards the start up costs of a piping and drumming tuition programme at Tarbert Academy and Tarbert and Clachan primary schools.

May 2018: The loan of 10 sets of bagpipes over three years.
“There is a great desire for tuition in the area and the funding from SSPDT will allow us to deliver this to our eager, and talented, young people!” Alison MacBride, Fèis an Tairbeirt

Tarbert Schools

Taynuilt Primary School

Date of Award
August 2023
Grant Recipient
Taynuilt Primary School
Award
Matched funding towards piping and drumming tuition costs.

Taynuilt Primary School

Tynecastle Schools

Date of Award
January 2017
Grant Recipient
Tynecastle Youth Community Pipe Band Support Group
Award
Three years of matched funding towards piping and drumming tuition for 80 pupils at Tynecastle High School and its feeder primary schools Balgreen, Stenhouse and Dalry, with further matched funding awarded in August 2022. In addition, the loan of ten sets of bagpipes each in 2017 and 2018.
This tuition programme was set up by SSPDT, and is now run by a committee; the Tynecastle Youth Community Pipe Band Support Group. “I saw the memorial march through Gorgie today and could have sworn the pipe band at the front were wearing the Tynecastle uniform. The people involved were talented, well turned out and showed the maturity and respect the occasion deserves. They were a credit to your school. Well done.” Local spectator at the Armistice memorial march in Gorgie, Edinburgh

Tynecastle Schools

Ullapool and District Schools

Date of Award
August 2015
Grant Recipient
Ullapool and District (Junior) Pipe Band
Award
Funding for one year towards drumming tuition in eight primary schools and Ullapool High School and Gairloch High School.

In August 2016 we awarded funding for a further two years towards drumming tuition at these schools, plus pipe band practice.

Ullapool and District Schools

West Lothian Schools

Date of Award
March 2022
Grant Recipient
West Lothian Council
Award
The loan of 20 sets of bagpipes over three years.

West Lothian Schools

Whitehill Learning Community Cluster

Date of Award
December 2017
Grant Recipient
Glasgow City Council
Award
Matched funding across three years towards the costs of a new pipe band programme at Whitehill Secondary School and Alexandra Parade, Golfhill and Haghill primary schools. In addition, the loan of up to ten sets of bagpipes for a period of three years.
Glasgow is the home of the World Championships, yet so far there is very little tuition available to pupils in schools. This project, focused on a learning community in inner city Glasgow aims to form a schools pipe band. “Historically Whitehill has been extremely difficult to get take-up for instruments like strings or brass. The pipes and drums programme is oversubscribed with over 100 pupils wanting to join in. Take-up is excellent and we’ve not had any drop-outs… the children are sticking with it.” Pam Black , Manager of Glasgow City Council Instrumental Music Service

Whitehill Learning Community Cluster

Windygoul Primary School

Date of Award
2021
Grant Recipient
Windygoul Primary School
Award
A grant to match fund the costs of a Piper in Residence, for one day per week, from August 2021 for one year.
SSPDT was delighted to support East Lothian Council’s first Piper in Residence as part of their Musician in Residence Scheme. Find out more about the scheme and hear from the pupils involved in this short video.

Windygoul Primary School