Attending the Isle of Arran Music School’s Summer School for Pipe Band offers a wealth of benefits for students at every stage, from beginners to seasoned performance band members. For new starters, the summer school provides an immersive, supportive environment to develop foundational skills in piping and drumming, allowing them to learn at their own pace while being inspired by more experienced peers. Intermediate and performance band members benefit from focused workshops that refine their technique, enhance ensemble playing, and prepare them for competitions and public performances, helping to build confidence, resilience, and teamwork.

The summer school also fosters a strong sense of community and belonging. Students form lasting friendships and learn the importance of collaboration, discipline, and mutual support—skills that are transferable beyond music into academic and personal life. The opportunity to perform at community events and competitions further boosts self-esteem and provides real-world experience.

For music leaders and advanced students who teach younger participants, the experience is equally rewarding. Acting as mentors, they develop leadership, communication, and teaching skills, often working towards formal qualifications such as the SQA Music Leadership Award. This not only strengthens their own musical understanding but also instills a sense of responsibility and pride as they contribute to the next generation’s musical journey.

Costs

Tutors- £3000

Accomadation £800

Lunch £500

Transport £200

Hall Hire £600

We have 40 local children that attend the junior triathlon club weekly on Arran. We hold 3 swim and run sessions and a cycling session every week. We have 6 volunteer coaches. We are looking for funding to help with the pool costs and the competition costs of sending our athletes to the mainland which usually includes overnight accomodation due to early start times.We are also looking for funding to help with the costs of training new coaches and current coaches. The cost breakdown is as follows:

Pool hire £150 per week for 6 weeks = £900, New coach foundation triathlon course £100.

3 years ago at Feis Arainn shinty was an option for the first time. It was immensely popular and lead to Arran Junior Shinty Club being formed. A voluntary coach travels from Dunoon to Arran each week to coach the children and has organised for teams to go to the mainland to participate in tournaments. 3 years ago, up to 10 children attended training sessions, there are now 25 team members and up to 50 Arran schoolchildren taking part in interschool tournaments and festivals. Playing shinty is beneficial to the youngsters physical and mental health and wellbeing. The club provides the youngsters with a chance to keep fit through the training regime and is inclusive of all P4s upwards, regardless of ability or fitness level, it also encourages working together as a team. If the club cannot purchase wooden shinty sticks it will result in the over 12yr olds being unable to participate in any tournaments or games, and under 12s will only be able to take part in indoor tournaments as they use plastic sticks indoors.

Cost - 9 wooden dhinty sticks @ £110 each - £990

Last year, Brodick Parent Council paid for the contstruction of an outside classroom within the school grounds that could be used for extra curricular activities, such as music lessons. Whilst the outdoor classroom has been a real asset, it doesn't have heating or electricity and its use is therefore fairly limited, especially in winter. We asked the P6/7 pupils of Brodick Primary for ideas of things we could apply for and they suggested turning the outdoor classroom into a space that the children could use in winter and have access to both before and after school. Here on Arran there is limited after school provision and therefore providing a free warm space that children can access seemed like a no brainer.

In order to create this space we need to:

• connect the outdoor classroom to the School's electricity supply
• install electric heaters to keep the space warm
• kit the space out with fairy lights, beanbags and a speaker so the children can chill out and enjoy listening to music

We will then ask for donations for games, craft materials etc that the children can enjoy whilst using the space.

We have received a cost estimate for the electrical installation of £1,500. An electric heater will cost £250, and fairy lights and bean bags come in at £250. The total cost is therefore £2,000. If we were successful in our application, the funding would go a long way to turning this great idea into a reality.

Being part of the Isle of Arran Competition Pipe Band is more than just learning music – it’s about teamwork, confidence, travel, and representing our island community with pride. Young people who join the band gain new skills in discipline and performance, make lifelong friends, and experience the excitement of playing on some of the biggest stages at RSPBA competitions. Standing in the competition circle alongside other bands from across Scotland and beyond is an unforgettable and inspiring opportunity for every player. However, taking part at this level comes with significant costs. Travel, accommodation, entry fees, and uniforms all add up. Last season, the cost of competing was around £10,000, which was well above the charity’s budget. Despite this challenge, it has been hugely worthwhile for the development of the band and its players. As we look ahead, we want to make sure every committed band member has the chance to apply and take part in the coming season. With the support of our community and supporters, we can continue to give young people on Arran the opportunity to compete on a national stage, develop their musical talents, and proudly represent our island and North Ayrshire.

Accom £4000

Travel £ 3000

Tutors £1500

Food £1500

Fèis Spè which is part of Fèisean Nan Gàidheal organises an annual groupwork retreat for high school age children. A group of our young people attended this event in 2024 and had a great time. Since then they have been desperate to return and we are trying to make this possible for them. At the event they will have the opportunity to learn from top traditional musicians and to interact with other young musicians from accross Scotland.

The costs below are based on the costs of our last trip to the event adjusted for inflation.

EXPENSES

Minibus hire £600.00

Ferry fares £180.00

Fuel £92.00

Food £120.00

Event cost (includes accommodation) £2500.00

Miscellaneous expenses (admin etc) £40.00

Tutor expenses £300.00

Total expenses £3832.00

Income

Registration fees £2100.00

Fund raising activities £732.00

Youth PB £1000.00

Total income £3832.00

Mountain bike leader training £295 x 4 = £1180

Mountain bike leader assessment £195 x 4 = £780

First aid training £95 each x 4 = £380

TOTAL £2340

Arran High School Mountain Bike Club would fund the remaining amount through our own money gained from donations and fundraising.

The Isle of Arran are in need of new equipment and kit for extra-curricular and lunchtime clubs for our young people. Some of the equipment we are looking for includes basketballs, volleyballs, a new net and many more. Having spare kit on hand would allow younger people to take part in our after-school clubs and become more active and involved as often young people are unable to afford kit for PE and if this is the case, they are unable to participate in sports. If we are able to get what we are looking for, there would be a greater participant turnout and the Isle of Arran will become more involved in the sporting world.  Arran young people desperately need this in order to find passion in sports and keep fit and healthy.  

12 Basketballs - £215.4 total (£17.95 each) 

10 Volleyballs - £199.50 (£19.95 each) 

1 Net - £22.14 

Spare kit (leggings, t-shirts, shorts)- 4 tshirts £92, 2 leggings £45.98, 2 boy shorts £49.98, 2 girls shorts £49.80, 3 jumpers for winter £74.97 total = £312.64 

15 Training Bibs - £194.25 (£10.95 each) 

50 Multicoloured Cones - £20