Aileen Campbell, SNP MSP for the South of Scotland is campaigning for an instrument amnesty, under the working title of 'Play it Again' and based on a scheme operating in London,to be launched in 2009. The campaign has received backing from musicians, organisations and charities with The List, the Scottish Arts Council, The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Aberlour – Scotland's Childrens Charity, BBC Radio DJ Vic Galloway and musicians Bob Hardy (Franz Ferdinand) and Andrew Gifford (Fiddler's Bid) all keen to support to 'Play it Again'.

Aileen Campbell MSP said:

"After seeing a similar idea in London I decided to set up a campaign here in Scotland.

"There must be hundreds, if not thousands of unwanted instruments lying unused in people's homes.  I'm asking people to go and have a look under their beds, in their cupboards and lofts, and donate those unwanted instruments they find.

"And if you've been given a new guitar or a new drum kit for Christmas – what better way to make space for it than by giving us your old one?

"These donations will give someone else the opportunity to experience the pleasure and benefits learning to play an instrument can bring and I know that, given the generosity of the Scottish Public, when we go live with our campaign, we will not be disappointed." 

 Aileen would like to involve the country's Forums in the process. Any views on how the Borders could be involved? There are bound to be issues with publicising, collecting, storing and identifying recipients.