The Taynuilt Highland Games committee are helping the children of Taynuilt Primary school to keep the local tradition of playing the pipes and drums alive. In addition to an initial £600 for instruments, they have agreed to pay £2500 for the next 3 years towards the cost of tuition for children throughout the school who are interested in learning to play. This is match funded by the Scottish School Piping Association and gives the children the opportunity to make progress through the PDQ pathway in line with their ability. Andrew Servant chairman of the committee said ‘The Games Committee are delighted to be able to support local children and encourage piping and drumming in the local community. We look forward to seeing them compete in piping at the Highland Games in the future.’
The initiative has community wide support and has been welcomed by children and parents alike Calum a pupil in P7 is looking forward to joining the pipeband when he gets to high school and all the opportunities that this may lead to in the future.
Berni McMillan who is Headteacher at the school is delighted with the success of the project so far. This is a working example of how a community can come together in a very practical and sustainable way to ensure that our rich local heritage remains vibrant and is sustained for future generations. I believe that playing an instrument to a high standard and having the opportunity to make music together encourages children to develop camaraderie, confidence and perseverance. I would particularly like to thank the committee of the local games for their generosity, trust and encouragement and Mr Ali Murray who is one of our parents for leading the project and making the weekly sessions such fun for the children, it is definitely one of the highlights of their week.
The Taynuilt Games will be held this year on the 20th July.
