A WELL-KNOWN piper from Auchinleck has made a generous donation to a music learning project.

East Ayrshire Pipe Band Academy (EPIC) were the beneficiaries of the gesture from Bridgend Garage in Auchinleck.

Company director Jean Allardyce, an accomplished piper herself, leapt at the chance to support piping tuition returning to the area.

As well as every penny of income since the carrier bag legislation was introduced, Jean topped it up herself.

She donated 50 practice chanters from McCallum Bagpipes of Kilmarnock, who have also given an in-kind donation to the project.

Jean said: “From my own schooling experience, there was nothing else that provided as many lifelong benefits as those gained from learning to play bagpipes.

“With experienced and professional tutors from EPIC, the momentum will quickly build and grow into something that East Ayrshire will be proud of.”

EPIC is run by award winning pipers, Karen and Paul Warren.