Eilidh’s Trust helps Lochaber youth pipe band bounce back

A youth pipe band in Lochaber grappling with the continued effects of the pandemic has been awarded funding to support its safe return to teaching.

Mallaig, Ardnamurchan and District Pipe Band (MAaD Pipe Band) is among eight groups across Scotland to have been awarded financial support by the Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust.

The money is specifically to help local youth music initiatives to safely return to in-person tuition, group lessons, public performances and competitive events after lockdown has restricted their ability to meet and learn in groups.

The funding has already allowed the group to restart in-person teaching during the autumn. However, with the recent rise in Covid cases, it will be considering how to safely continue delivering lessons over the coming weeks and how the cash can support that.

The recipients will use the funding for a variety of purposes, from paying tuition costs to covering travel expenses to attend lessons and help make up for an inability to fundraise in traditional ways.

Eilidh’s Trust was established in 2018 in memory of the talented 14-year-old musician from the Isle of Barra who died in the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017. The trust supports music education for young people reflecting Eilidh’s own love of music and her musical ability and enjoyment as a piper with Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band. The trust will also manage and maintain a permanent memorial to Eilidh and a garden of remembrance and reflection on Barra.

Eilidh’s Trust founder Suzanne White said: ‘We are delighted to be making this funding available to MAaD pipe band and helping these young musicians and performers to continue to grow in their musical skills.

‘We know it will support them in doing something they love and thrive in. At Eilidh’s Trust we understand the challenge groups like MAaD have faced and we want to ensure support is there for when they can safely deliver in person sessions.’