Scotland’s national instrument is in danger of extinction, according to bagpipe enthusiasts, who are campaigning for more tuition in state schools.
Organisers of the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships are looking to turn the decline around by hosting a unique competition aimed at encouraging newcomers.
The contest has the backing of Craig Munro, of the hugely successful Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
He said education bosses needed to realise it was possible to build a fulfilling career from the bagpipes.
“It is clear that several schools are trying to get school pipe bands up and running but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get the piping and drumming onto the curriculum,” he added.
“If schools can offer students the likes of the recorder to learn music, then why not the bagpipes?”
Last year, the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships attracted more than 400 young pipers and drummers from schools across Scotland.
Organisers say it is vital to bring in more new blood.
Councils in areas such as the Highlands and Argyll and Bute have a significantly larger portion of students playing the pipes and drums than other areas.
However, in the bigger Scottish cities, only a handful of pupils are learning the pipes and drums and in some council areas, there are none playing the instruments all.
David Johnston, Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships convener, said the instrument deserved a higher priority when it comes to carving up education budgets.
“Some say there is no money for it, some say there is no demand. Yet where we have helped schools get tuition the demand is huge and if a council can afford a glockenspiel teacher, surely they can afford to teach pipes and drums,” he said.
“I find it disappointing that in so many Scottish state schools piping and drumming is not on the curriculum, yet many private schools have flourishing bands and dedicated pipe tutors which bring huge prestige and self-esteem to band members and to the school.
“If this worrying trend continues we won’t have any future pipers and drummers and hearing the roar of pipes and drums on Hogmanay could become a thing of the past.”
The 2015 Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships are to be held at Broughton High School in Edinburgh on Sunday, March 8.