A piping politician marched around the pitch at Elgin City FC’s Borough Briggs stadium as part of a unique charity challenge yesterday.
MSP Stuart McMillan is on a quest to play his bagpipes at all 42 Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) parks within five days this week.
He kicked off yesterday’s second day of the tour in Elgin, the northernmost SPFL ground in Scotland.
Mr McMillan arrived at 9am, having stayed the previous night in Inverness.
Within moments, he was kitted out in City’s famous black and white stripes and shattering the quiet calm of the sunny morning with a range of traditional tunes.
Speaking afterwards, the SNP representative for Greenock and Inverclyde explained the personal reasons behind his mission.
Mr McMillan said: “I have been playing the pipes for about 30 years, and have a love of football, so I’m bringing those two passions together.
“What really inspired it was an old friend of mine, Andy Adams, who was a firefighter until last year when he became disabled after entering a building which blew up.
“I’d known him since working in a pub in Greenock with him 20 years ago, so I’m raising money for the Andy Adams Fund which pays towards his rehabilitation.”
The politician began his musical odyssey on Monday at the home of his favourite team, Greenock Morton.
He then spent that day venturing north, lastly ticking the grounds of Dingwall’s Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle from his agenda.
The fire service is backing Mr McMillan’s effort, and let him stay at the Inverness station that night.
After playing at Borough Briggs, the piper set off to Peterhead and from there he visited Pittodrie.
The trek will conclude at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Friday.
Elgin City South councillor, Graham Leadbitter, was on hand to welcome his old friend to the area.
The councillor said: “The local club has made him feel very welcome, and have provided a lively start to the second day of his piping marathon.”
Mr McMillan is aiming to raise £3,000, which will also be split the Clydeside Action on Asbestos and Cash for Kids charities.
Money can be pledged online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pipeathon2017
