Military piper from Golspie to play at today's Jubilee Trooping of the Colour
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A Sutherland piper is to play a prominent part in celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at one of the first official events to be held in London today.
Military piper Mark Macrae, from Golspie, has been given the honour of playing at the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping of the Colour) at Horse Guard's Parade, Whitehall.
The event, which dates back to the reign of King Charles II (1660-1685), is one of the first to take place in a packed official programme for Jubilee weekend which runs until Sunday, June 5.
Communities across Sutherland are also set to today begin celebrating the Queen’s unprecedented 70th anniversary on the throne with light displays, street parties, walks and other events scheduled.
Mark’s proud parents, Tommy and Mary Macrae of Tower Street, will be busy watching television coverage of the Trooping of the Colour, which starts at 10am, in the hope of catching a glimpse of their son.
Mrs Macrae said: “The Trooping of the Colour this year is by the 1st Battalion Irish Guards.
“Mark and four other pipers from the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards were invited to join the 1st Battalion Pipes and Drums of the Irish Guards to play at the parade.”
Mrs Macrae said that Mark had been keen to learn the pipes from a young age and began on the chanter at Golspie Primary School, under the tutelage of well-known piping instructor George Stewart, now retired.
He played with the Sutherland Schools Pipe Band and went on to become a member of Sutherland Caledonian Pipe Band.
Mark joined the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in July 1996 and became a member of the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards. In June 2015 he became their Pipe Major.
Mrs Macrae said: “Mark has played a number of times at Trooping of the Colour, his last time being last year at Windsor Castle."
She added that Mark had played all over the world at tattoos in New Zealand, the USA and Germany and as well as at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. In 2016 he was the lone piper on the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle.
Mrs Macrae said: “He has played at for the King and Queen of Spain; at the Queen Mother's funeral in 2002; and also in Africa, Japan, Israel, the Falkland Islands and Azerbaijan.
"He has played at the Royal Albert Hall for Royal British Legions Remembrance Concerts once accompanying Russell Watson in 2004."
Mark is currently serving with the 1st Battalion Scots Guards Regimental Support Team in Edinburgh.
Lairg will be celebrating the Jubilee today with an all-abilities walk at Ferrycroft park followed by an afternoon tea at the new shelter in Churchill Wood.
A lone piper will play in the evening on the Ferrycroft jetty, surrounded by six torch bearers specially selected to represent all sectors of the community.
Ardgay and Bonar Bridge also kick off their events tonight with a spectacular community Jubilee beacons display simultaneously timed in both villages. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
A Jubilee Big Brunch is being held at Bonar Bridge Hall today from 11am to 1pm.
The bulk of the celebrations in Sutherland are expected to take place tomorrow with a street party planned on the Cathedral Green in Dornoch from 1pm to 4pm.
The Bradbury Centre in Bonar Bridge, which caters for older people, has been running Jubilee themed activities all week and the Seaforth House in Golspie is also understood to be holding an event.
The Northern Times would welcome images from Jubilee events held in the county. Email high-res photos to: editor@northern-times.co.uk
