A veteran Aberdeenshire pipe major has been honoured for decades of service to traditional Scots music in the region.
Andrew Robertson has served as a pipe major for Ellon and District Royal British Legion Pipe Band for 41 years, and has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his efforts.
But the 67-year-old former joiner said it was only the untimely death of his uncle Samuel that lead him to pick up the pipes at a relatively late age.
He said: “My uncle was in the army, in the war and piper, but he died quite young.
“He’d wanted someone in the family to carry on the tradition but nobody was much interested.
“I was quite old at 24 to get involved but I never looked back. I can’t believe I’ve been doing it for so long.
“I was totally speechless when I got the letter back in April from the palace. It’s just something you never expect.
“I’ve been a piper for 42 year and was a pipe major for 31 of them.
“It’s really nice that I have been thought of.
Mr Robertson now helps teach youngsters the craft of pipe playing and says many are interested in learning the Scots instrument.
He added: “I’ve got nine I’m working with just now.
“It’s really rewarding to watch them progress and I just find it great when they show me what they’ve learned.”
Also receiving the BEM is Barbara McFarlane, for voluntary service in Aberdeenshire.
Correction: In our Queen’s Birthday honours coverage on Saturday, we published a story about former Aberdeenshire pipe major Andrew Robertson (above). Unfortunately, we carried a picture of his late father. We apologise for the error and upset which was caused. We also stated incorrectly that Mr Robertson was 69, when he is 67, and that he was a pipe major for 41 years when, in fact, it was 31 years.
