BUDDING musicians have put together a special song to thank their headteacher for helping to keep the school’s pipe band alive.

The Knox Academy Pipe Band played a special piping tune at the school’s Christmas concert shortly before the festive break.

The surprise performance impressed Sarah Ingham, the school’s headteacher, and Claire Thomson, S6 pupil, was delighted to take part.

She said: “I think we did it because over the last few months Mrs Ingham has been working so hard to secure funding for the tuition in the school.

“It was just a way to thank her from our instructors in the band.”

Davy Barnes, the piping instructor, put together the song, which was performed for the first time at the concert.

Claire, who plays snare and bass drum in the band, said: “We actually only found out as a band on the night what was happening.

“They did not want any of us to accidentally tell her.

“We only found out on the night, which was quite nerve-wracking and we wanted to play it well.”

Both the headteacher and the band were delighted with the song.

Mrs Ingham said: “I was enormously touched by the gesture. It’s a lovely tune and was played so very, very well.

“The pipe band have gone from strength to strength over the last four years. I thank Davy Barnes and Dave Henry (drumming instructor) for their work and the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust for their support.”