YOUNGSTERS GIVEN LAST CHANCE TO PIPE UP FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE HERITAGE OF SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL INSTRUMENT THANKS TO WORK OF EDINBURGH PR AGENCY

THE Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT) have received a record number of entries for the world’s biggest schools pipe band event after Holyrood PR launched a campaign to encourage as many schools to sign up before the deadline.

Since the entry date passed, SSPDT have confirmed it received a staggering 76 school pipe bands and freestyle ensembles as well as 11 quartets for young pipers signed up for the competition – the most entries to date.

The Championships – which attracts more than 700 youngsters from around 120 schools – was established to encourage the formation of school pipe bands. It features taster grades for youngsters with no competing experience, as well as providing a forum for schools competing at the highest level.

Wanting to encourage as many youngsters to sign up as possible, Holyrood PR issued a release highlighting it was the last chance to enter for this year’s competition.

The release instantly caught the attention of the media and coverage poured in with 40 pieces of print and online coverage generated in just a few days.

Regional and local titles across the country covered the story including Fife Today, Alloa Advertiser, Perthshire Advertiser and the Falkirk Herald, reaching approximately 130,315 readers.

Not only did the coverage generate a lot of attention but it also racked up a PR value of more than £19,000.

The competition is set to take place Edinburgh’s James Gillespie’s High School on 12 March.