It is the iconic Scottish musical instrument, but the bagpipes are in danger of being forgotten by the nation’s schools.
New figures reveal that fewer than a quarter offer pupils the chance to learn to play, with just three councils Dundee, Edinburgh and Stirling ensuring all pupils have access to the bagpipes.
Perth and Kinross, meanwhile, is just one of a number of local authorities where there is very limited access to tuition in the instrument, amid tightening budgets. In some council areas there is a mixture of provision from school to school, while others provide lessons at primary level but fail to carry that into secondary tuition.
The result is that many parents are forced to turn to expensive private tuition and there are fears that lack of lessons in the “national instrument” will adversely impact the country’s musical traditions and its pipe band heritage.
The Scottish Conservatives, who carried out research into music tuition, have called on the Scottish Government to take another look at music provision across the country.
Their education spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: “We clearly need the Scottish Government to look again at music lesson provision in Scotland’s schools, to make sure this disparity is brought to an end.”
Dundee’s education convener, Councillor Stewart Hunter, said the council was committed to offering as much variety as possible.
He added: “We are fortunate that we have such fantastic tutors and teachers across all age groups and an excellent bagpipe tutor who works with all our schools.”
Perth and Kinross Council said a review of music tuition had recently been undertaken, with the range of lessons available including those in the bagpipes examined to ensure the council is providing “the best possible service” with resources it has available.