A worried mum has warned that the next generation of music will "fade away" if children aren't given the chance to play an instrument amid plans to introduce charges.
Kirsty Duncan, 51, has been campaigning against West Dunbartonshire Council's proposal to begin charging for lessons in schools, saying kids will "miss out" if their parents can't pay.
The Duntocher mum, who volunteers with Lomond Radio, began her growing love of music at the age of five after being offered a chance to play instruments such as the xylophone, glockenspiel, recorder, and even the triangle.
The council's plan which will be brought forward to councillors this week, is part of measures being considered to bridge the authority's £14m budget gap.
Options include charging £5, £15 or £25 an hour for 40 weeks of lessons.
Assuming pupils have a one hour session every week, at the highest considered price, this could cost parents or guardians £1000 a year.
Kirsty says many families won't be able to afford this.
She said: "This has reared its ugly head again. Are we going to have to be fighting it every year?
"We can't face this every year because families just can't afford this potential extra £100 a month added on to everything else.
"So many people aren't going to be able to afford it, therefore their kids are going to miss out."
Currently, 1014 West Dunbartonshire pupils receive tuition in their school, of which more than half is paid for by the council, the rest being subsidised by the Scottish Government.
If the councillors give the go-ahead to introduce the charges, bosses at the authority say this would still not cover the full cost of service delivery.
In addition, these charges would not be introduced until August 2027.
Kirsty says she fears for the future of the art if it isn't taught to today's youngsters.
She added: "In 10 years' time, if you don't have young kids coming through and progressing what damage is that going to do in the music industry?
"Everybody listens to the radio, they go and see live music, they go to gigs in the Hydro. If people aren't learning how to play musical instruments, then that all just fades away.
"On top of that, it's about kids' mental health as well. Music is something that takes them away from their daily school life and daily problems that they face."
A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “In light of a combined budget gap of £14m for 2026/27 across both council and Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) services, officers were asked to develop all viable options to deliver savings this year and in future.
"No decision will taken until these proposals are considered at the council meeting on 4 March."
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