Members of a pipe band that has brought the sound of Scotland to Hampshire are backing the Better Together campaign to preserve the Union.

The Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band promotes traditional Celtic culture and the unmistakable sounds of pipes and drums.

And with just three days before Scots head to the polls for the referendum on independence many members are keen to protect the Union and the rich culture and heritage shared by Scotland and the rest of the UK.

It follows the Daily Echo throwing its weight behind the Better Together campaign’s bid to save the Union, with this newspaper arguing that independence would have serious repercussions both for an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK.

It would see more than 300 years of shared history thrown away and there have been dire warnings about the economic consequences, with many leading businesses saying independence would hit jobs and raise costs in Scotland while it could leave the UK with a bill running into many billions of pounds.

The Daily Echo’s exclusive poll of 500 people in Hampshire revealed that 69.8 per cent wanted Scotland to remain part of the UK.

Copies of the newspaper have even been taken on the campaign trail north of the border by Southampton Itchen MP John Denham.

The Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band – which includes a mix of English and Scottish musicians – formed in the early 1990s in Portchester and was initially named the Tullock Ard – translating to Big Green Hill in Gaelic.

It briefly merged with the core drums band of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, before branching out on its own to Marchwood in the late 1990s and eventually settling in Southampton.

It now has 19 members including 12 pipers, four side drummers, a bass drummer, drum major and pipe major.

They range in age from 13 years old to well into their 70s spanning a variety of backgrounds including architects, engineers, builders and bakers.

They are a popular sight at many Hampshire events including the Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst carnivals and are also invited to play at private weddings.

Treasurer Jason Kauder, 45, from Bitterne, Southampton, said: “Wherever we play we bring in big crowds.

“Everyone knows tunes such as Scotland the Brave and Amazing Grace.

“It will be a shame if Scotland goes independent because it’s a really big part of our culture and steeped in our history.”

Pipe major Jim Dawson from Winchester, who is one of the group’s Scottish contingent, is keen to promote the traditional bagpipe music.

He is undecided whether independence will be a good thing but said: “The vote is going to be very close but I have my doubts that it will go independent.”

The group meets from 7.30pm on Thursdays in St Alban’s Church, Burgess Road, Southampton.

New pipers and drummers are welcome.