A pair of pipe bands could be set up in the north-east after a swell in interest from local school children.
Last year Aberdeenshire Council proposed forming a region-wide pipe band for young bagpipers and drummers.
Around 70 students enrolled and now the local authority’s education department has suggested forming two separate bands to give all interested youngsters a chance to take part.
The first would be the Provost of Aberdeenshire’s School Pipe Band, a performance group which would play at civic events in the north-east.
The second band, the Aberdeenshire Schools Pipe Band, would be a competition band offering musicians the chance to compete locally and nationally.
In a report to the education committee, education officer Audrey Hendry said: “Through matched funding from the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Trust, tuition in bagpipes and pipe band drumming was introduced in 2016.
“In the 2016-17 academic session, bagpipe players and pipe band drummers were offered the opportunity to play together and approximately 70 young people enrolled.
“In order to maximise opportunities to both perform and compete in appropriate activities it is recommended that two pipe bands are established.”
Both the new bands will need uniforms and the education department is asking councillors to approve the use of the “hunting” version of the local authority’s tartan for them.
The first gathering of the pipers and drummers was held in January and was hailed a success.
Musicians came from as far afield as Braemar, St Cyrus and Sandend to take part in the event at Inverurie Town Hall.
The youngsters have been tutored by pipe majors Chris Armstrong and Pamela Whyte, of the Scottish Power Pipe Band and Grampian Police Scotland Pipe Band respectively, and Graham Drummond of the Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band.
They have also worked with piping and drumming instructors Andrew Gray and Nicky Gibson, of Banff Academy.
Aberdeenshire Council’s education committee will meet at Woodhill House on Thursday morning when the initiative will be on the agenda.
