A north-east pipe band has a brand new look thanks to sponsorship from an oil company.
The Howe O’ the Mearns group, who practice in Laurencekirk, have purchased new pipe bags, pipe bag covers and band uniform ties.
The band received a donation from Aberdeen-based Scotoil Services last year and showed-off the new kit when they perform at the Marykirk Boat Race at the weekend.
Mr Duncan said: “We’re not a big charitable organisation so we welcome any kind of help and this was a big boost to our fledgling pipe band.
“Due to the very kind donation Scotoil made last year, it means we can concentrate the rest of our funds towards purchasing our own set of drums as we are playing a borrowed set at the moment.”
Howe O’ the Mearns pipe band was formed three years ago and currently has 15 members, with seven of them playing pipes, two tenor drummers, four side or snare drummers and two bass drummers.
The youngest member is aged just seven.
Scotoil managing director, Craig Smith, said: “While our core business and a pipe band may not seem similar, we’re only too happy to help out fantastic local groups like Howe O’ the Mearns pipe band.
“We are very proud of our roots as we started out as a small company just more than 30 years ago and although we undertake work around the world now, we are still very much a local company at heart with the same harbour base and long-serving staff we’ve had for many years.
“We are only too happy to help out the Howe O’ the Mearns Pipe Band as the members do sterling work at many events entertaining locals and tourists alike.
“It is also very encouraging of its younger members and finding new innovative ways of doing things which is the same ethos we have at Scotoil.
“We’re looking forward to seeing and hearing the pipe band this summer with their new pieces of kit.”