A new health initiative promoting playing the bagpipes to improve certain lung conditions and breathing difficulties has been launched at Dumfries House.
The Prince’s Foundation pilot programme, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, will offer participants the chance to learn the Scottish national instrument after some bagpipers reported it was beneficial to the cardiovascular system.
The foundation has said it is to help regulate breathing, increase lung capacity and lower blood pressure.
READ MORE: Cumnock club's fundraiser for loved member
The holistic programme, Piping For Health, was developed with the help of the King’s doctor, Michael Dixon, head of the Royal Medical Household, in partnership with the National Piping Centre – which promotes the music and history of the Highland Bagpipe.
Piping for Health is the brainchild of Lady Oona Ivory, founder and chairwoman of the National Piping Centre.
It will primarily accommodate people with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.
Referrals are being co-ordinated by East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, and in-person weekly two-hour workshops will launch at Dumfries House on November 1.
Fiona McManus, health and wellbeing co-ordinator at The Prince’s Foundation, said: “This new holistic approach is geared to help people live better with COPD.
“With the National Piping Centre and East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, we are delighted to pilot a unique healthcare programme introducing techniques based on bridging bagpiping and holistic therapies.
“The aim is to provide participants with a range of self-management tools to empower them to improve their overall health and wellbeing.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here