‘Scotland the Brave’ - new show of appreciation for key workers planned across the world by National Piping Centre

Pipers across the world have been encouraged to “pipe up for key workers” by Scotland’s National Piping Centre

In a video message posted on Twitter, Finlay MacDonald, the centre’s director, asked piping enthusiasts to play Scotland the Brave as a mark of respect.

“Stand at your door, stand at your window, somewhere safe,” MacDonald told followers, and play the Scottish ballad once through.

It comes after thousands of people across the UK stood at their doors and held a round of applause for NHS staff working during the coronavirus outbreak.

The combined performance will take place across the globe at 8pm BST on Thursday, 2 April.

Scotland the Brave, first composed in the 19th century, is considered to be one of the nation’s unofficial national anthems, and is commonly played by pipe bands around the world. Lyrics were added in the 1950s by Scottish journalist Cliff Hanley.