ScottishPower has a long tradition of supporting the arts, contributing to the cultural well-being of our local communities.

With international acclaim, world-wide honours and global experience, the ScottishPower Pipe Band is a perfect ambassador for ScottishPower. The band holds premier status and is a consistent prize winner in all recent major pipe band championships.

Led by Pipe Major Chris Armstrong and Leading Drummer Barry Wilson, the band consists of some of the world's top award-winning pipers and drummers.
The ScottishPower Pipe Band holds numerous European and British titles. They have been Scottish Champions twice and are double winners of the prestigious Cowal Championships. In addition, they have secured second place in the World Championships on two occasions.

In August 2006, the ScottishPower Pipe Band won 7th place in the World Pipe Band Championships. Their results across the competition season mean that the band finished 6th overall in the Champion of Champions League

For more information, please visit the ScottishPower Pipe Band website.

ScottishPower has been a sponsor of the Edinburgh International Book Festival since 2005. We have been instrumental in helping the festival extend its reach and, in particular, engage young people.

In 2006, ScottishPower sponsored two unique events, in partnership with Young Scot. The first brought around 80 young people to a workshop led by best-selling author Ian Rankin, the creator of Inspector Rebus. The second took author Des Dillon to Polmont Young Offenders Institution, where he worked with groups of young people, using his work as a catalyst to further discussion.

Both events were designed to increase interest in books and reading in general, and were positively received.

ScottishPower has sponsored an innovative programme developed by the newly created National Theatre. Transform allows schools and creative communities to transform their approaches to learning. By bringing together cutting edge theatre professionals, communities and groups of local primary schools, the partnerships produce a high impact theatre event that uses the local environment as a backdrop to tell compelling stories. Schools in Ayrshire, Fife and East Lothian have benefited to date.

Check out the National Theatre of Scotland website for more information.

Ballet Central, sponsored by ScottishPower, is the performing company of Central School of Ballet, made up of students in their third and final year of training before they graduate and enter the dance profession.

The ballet company performs to professional standards, presenting a mixed programme of ballet, contemporary, jazz and narrative dance pieces, reflecting the high standard and breadth of training at the school. New music and live music are consistent features, as is new choreography by both emerging and established choreographers, contributing to the development of performers and audience alike.

Ballet Central tours England, Scotland and Wales each year, visiting approximately 25 diverse venues from small to large scale. For some communities it is their only opportunity to see live dance, at other larger venues the company competes with dance companies of international acclaim. The sponsorship is due to run until to 2007.

For further information, please visit the Central School of Ballet website.