OUR exclusive story about a pipe band for independence has caused quite a stir in the Scottish piping world and we can exclusively reveal that 80 musicians have already indicated their willingness to join.

Secretary and treasurer of the new group is veteran Yes campaigner Jim Edwards, who was told back in 2013 that it was “too political” for many pipers and drummers.

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“We’re proving that wrong,” said Edwards, “and we know there are more people interested.

That’s very much due to The National’s article, and we have had people contacting us from all over Scotland.

“It is still our intention to try and get the band ready in time to play at the All Under One Banner march and rally in Edinburgh on October 6, but everything depends on how much finance we can raise.”

Edwards and his colleagues are set to make a big announcement in the next few days when they will appeal to the Yes movement for funding to get the band going.

A big problem is that while pipers mostly own their instruments, drummers usually do not, and the aim is to get sufficient drums to ensure that the pipe band for independence has a sufficient beat.

Edwards said: “We are asking people to be a little bit patient at the moment because we are nearly at the stage of going fully public with our plans, including a crowdfunding exercise.

“We want to get this right first time, so we can do something good for the Yes movement.”