Clackmannanshire pupils are being offered an exciting opportunity to display their musical prowess to the public at a new festival being launched in June by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT).

With the support of the City of Edinburgh Council and the National Galleries of Scotland, the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust are hosting an open-air music festival during the week commencing Monday, June 10.  

Applications are being invited from school pipe bands, ceilidh bands and other groups of traditional musicians.

The festival programme is expected to feature a diverse and dynamic programme of performances from talented young people.

The daytime performances will run on a covered stage with Edinburgh’s skyline as the backdrop, with passers by invited to stop and enjoy at their leisure. Donations will be encouraged during performances, and SSPDT will distribute all proceeds received to participating groups.

Alexandra Duncan, director of SSPDT, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for young people to build their confidence and gain invaluable public performance experience. We are excited to see the high quality performances we know are possible from Scotland’s young musicians.”

Bands and groups keen to participate are being asked to apply via the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust website. The deadline for applications is 5pm on May 3.

The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust is a registered charity promoting the playing of pipes and drums in Scottish state schools. It also organises the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships - the biggest schools piping competition in the world.

More details on the Festival and how to apply to take part can be found at www.sspdt.org.uk.