Saltcoats based Caledonian Piping Club urging the public to help them raise money for new sets of bagpipes.

The group is in desperate need of funds and hopes to raise £6,000 by summer this year as the bagpipes they use are on loan and are due to be returned this July.

By raising enough funds to have 10 sets of bagpipes, the club hopes they can continue to inspire young musicians.

The group’s leader, Gerard McClumpha, said: “Our small Group, the Caledonian Piping Club, is trying to raise funds to purchase 10 sets of bagpipes to allow our young learners to proceed to the next step in their piping career - owning their own pipes.

“Like most other piping organisations - any money we need - we have to raise ourselves first and I realise that has just gotten so much more difficult for all of us!

“We are trying various ways to help reach our target - one of which is through a 'GoFundMe' page.

“Even, if all you can manage is passing our information on that in itself will be a help.”

The club has seen great success despite its small size, with members being introduced to the Queen at Balmoral in 2015, playing on the esplanade at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2007, and travelling to play in Italy, Spain, and France.

They have also started many initiatives to encourage young bagpipe players such as their primary school outreach programme in Stanley Primary School in Ardrossan, Hayocks Primary in Stevenston, and St. Anthony’s Primary in Saltcoats.

Further looking to celebrate the talent of young bagpipe players, the club organise the annual Festival of Juvenile Solo Piping Competition for musicians under 19.

On the GoFundMe page he added: “Our main aim is to teach and continue the furtherance of our traditional national instrument - the 'Great Highland Bagpipe', within our Locale and beyond.

“We strive to offer the best tuition available and to allow each learner to be the best player we can make them.

“We are looking for any small donation you can afford to help us in our goal of perpetuating the sound of the ‘Great Highland Bagpipe’ - in continuing to be heard as often and as far & wide as we possibly can.”

Throughout 2023 the club will be organising more fundraisers in the hopes of meeting their £6,000 goal.

Members of the public can donate to their GoFundMe here: www.gofundme.com/f/purchasing-a-set-of-bagpipes