The event offers a twist on outward bound activity holidays, though it does have parallels. There are opportunities for sports and art, but playing in one of the three main bands is the primary team-building activity. What’s more, there are no auditions.

SScOT has been running residential music summer schools for nine to 15-year-olds since 1985, initially under the Scottish Independent Schools’

Orchestra banner. Now the course attracts pupils from both the state and private sectors, with the Mary Carmichael Fund providing financial assistance for up to 10 places a year.

This summer, 140 children from 67 schools in Scotland and beyond took part, the only prerequisite being an ability to play a musical instrument at grade three or above. For some, it is their only chance to play in an orchestra.

SScOT director Jean Murray believes the course complements the musical experiences provided by schools and local authorities. “It is something you can’t do within one school really,” she said. “A school will have children who are good at music but it will never have enough to make the kind of experience they can get here. And the fact that it is a solid week means they progress so much.”

A glance at the timetable, though, shows it is not all serious music tuition. At one point, while the symphony orchestra was rehearsing Dvorak in the main building and the wind band was playing highlights from the Harry Potter film soundtrack in the chapel, the sports hall was being used for hockey and prints were being produced in the art room. Evening events include treasure hunts, ceilidhs and watching films.

The sports and art classes are not compulsory but are a good way for the students to keep active outside rehearsal times and distracted from feeling homesick. More than half of the children have been on the course before and many opt out of some of these sessions to spend time catching up on old friendships.

The course’s social aspects are a big factor in drawing back bassoonist Sunayna Best, aged 14, and her sister Roshni, a cellist aged 12, who have been coming for three years. “You always find when you come here that you don’t have to be self-conscious because you know everyone is pretty much on the same wavelength,” said Sunayna. “You can just be yourself and have a really good time.”

Their younger sister, Shivali, aged 10, attended for the first time this summer with her clarinet and oboe. She was clearly excited about meeting new people and playing music in a relaxed atmosphere, and remarked how welcoming the junior wind band members were to a French teenager who was on the course while his parents were on holiday in Britain.

The girls’ mother values the mix of activities on offer. “If it was only music, the sort of kids who’d be attracted would be the over-intense types. Here, because it’s both music and a variety of activities, they meet a wider range of kids,” she explained. “It is a great equaliser because it’s got kids from every background.

“What is so wonderful about the week is that they come back full of stories that carry on during the entire summer. It leaves a long-lasting impression with them.”

Mark Forkgen, the conductor of the symphony orchestra, argues that all the social interactions and the integration of art, sport and music rapidly develops the teamwork that is so vital to playing in a large group. “It builds them and they get to know each other in different ways,” he said.

Mr Forkgen also conducts the grand orchestra comprising all the course participants and is delighted at how much the big band experience motivates all the youngsters to play better and often to return the following year.

Jane Paterson, whose son attended this year with two schoolfriends, agreed. “They get quite a lot of intensive music tuition but it is in an atmosphere of fun,” she said. “They come away feeling that they’ve had a good time and if children have a good time playing music, then they will carry on playing.”

That’s SScOT’s winning formula.

SScOT’s Play Away Day, a taster for children interested in next year’s summer school (July 7-13), will be held at Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh, on November 17. Details from Jean Murray, tel 0131 226 3392