Expansion of Mull pipe band thanks to CalMac grant

The skirl of the pipes will be heard even louder on Mull soon, after Tobermory High School Pipe Band successfully bid for a grant to help them expand.

The band was given £2000 from ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund to help them buy equipment for new members they are keen to attract. 

An expanded band will create more opportunities for a wider range of children in the long term and allow for sustainable music tuition to be taught in schools across Mull and Iona. 

Band members are also given the opportunity to sit SQA qualifications in music that count as points towards a place in further education. 

Pipe Major Calum Maclean said: 'The CalMac Community Fund, has helped our youth pipe band flourish and grow so we more able to represent our community at local and national events in the future.'

CalMac's Community Fund is open to non-profit organisations involved in activities that will benefit young people aged 26 and under from island or coastal communities the company supports. 


So far the Fund has supported 24 projects and invested £43,435 in west coast communities. 

'The response since we made the first round awards earlier in the year has been fantastic.  We are already seeing the money put to good use in the Western Isles and I'm delighted that we are now helping to bring the joy of piping to more young people on Mull and Iona,' said CalMac's Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Brian Fulton. 

Tobermory Pipe Band with their CalMac cheque

Each application was judged by a screening panel of young people recruited from across the company's network, in partnership with Young Scot. 

Last year CalMac's 33-strong fleet carried more than 5.3 million passengers and 1.4 million vehicles to 50 ports and slipways on island and remote mainland locations.

Other grants awarded in the Inner Hebrides and Oban area included £2000 for Craignure Recreational Activity Facility Team in support of their Craignure Playpark project, £2,000 to Family Mediation Argyll & Bute to help fund their Tiree School Peer Mediation project, £2,000 to North Argyll Carers Centre Ltd for their We Care project and £2000 to Oban Otters Amateur Swimming Club to support of their CalMac Swim Challenge 2019.