A total of 27 members of staff at the National Piping Centre have been made redundant as a result of reduced activity across the board caused by coronavirus pandemic.

The organisation said today in a statement: “The National Piping Centre (NPC) announced on September 1, 2020 that it had commenced a redundancy consultation following the prolonged and large reduction in its teaching and commercial activities due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The NPC has completed the redundancy consultation and has made 27 members of staff redundant, comprising nine from teaching staff and 18 from hospitality staff.

“The Board of the NPC considers that this is necessary to reduce costs and allow the organisation to continue operating in the current challenging environment. Nonetheless, the Board acknowledges the huge impact these redundancies have on the individuals affected and thanks each of them for their enormous contribution to the success of the National Piping Centre over the years and, in particular, for the support and co-operation they have shown the organisation in the last six months and during the redundancy consultation itself.

“The National Piping Centre remains committed to fulfilling its object of teaching the Highland Bagpipe at all levels and in addition to its usual online activities its premises at McPhater Street, Glasgow are open for teaching, shop sales and hospitality.”