Pipe band’s delight at lottery backing

SGOIL Lionacleit Pipe Band (SLPB) is safeguarding its bagpipes with new cases as it prepares to represent the Western Isles at New York’s Tartan Week in April.

The band is benefiting from the proceeds of Western Isles Lifestyle Lottery (WILL) tickets in Uist and is using this to buy bagpipe cases and host a homecoming event following Tartan Week.

John Daniel Peteranna, chairman of SLPB, said: ‘We are grateful to the Western Isles Lifestyle Lottery for its recent award. We will be using part of the award to buy bagpipe cases for the band. Bagpipes are fragile instruments and prone to damage. They are an awkward shape to pack and stow away. We have never had the luxury of bagpipe cases before and this will be a big asset to the band.

‘The remainder of the award will go towards a homecoming event after the band return from New York.’

He added: ‘The band is made up of talented and dedicated young musicians who deserve the best support we can give them. We wish them well in New York and look forward to seeing them on TV. They will be great ambassadors for Uist and the Western Isles.’

A spokesperson for the Western Isles Community Society, which operates WILL, said: ‘We are delighted funding from WILL will enable the band to buy bagpipe cases and support their homecoming event for the Uist community. We wish them well with the trip.’

Residents in all areas of the Western Isles and beyond can directly benefit projects by taking part in the lottery and be in with a chance of winning three guaranteed weekly cash prizes.