SIXTY years on the pipes - more or less - and still blowing strong! That’s the record of Merkincher Tommy Cameron, who has played for kings and queens as well as thousands of visitors to the Highlands for more years than he can remember. Strictly speaking Tommy is not a Merkincher at all, having been born in Balnain House in November 1929 - in those days the building was split into nine flats. However he came to live in Merkinch after his mother died, when he was around nine or ten. By the time he was 15 Tommy was already recognised for his talent on the pipes and he was chosen to play at the VJ Day celebrations in Dalneigh. After completing his National Service in the Cameron Highlanders, he continued to play as Pipe Major with the Royal British Legion Band for 30 years before retiring when he reached the age of 60. Among the highlights of his piping career are playing at the Northern Meetings - including both the first and last - which regularly attracted audiences of 500, six nights a week throughout the tourist season. He also played for the Scottish Showtime events in the Cummings Hotel. And he recalls playing as the lone piper on the ramparts at the Edinburgh Tattoo, and another occasion when he spoke with the Queen. Though the Northern Meetings are finished and Scottish Showtime closed, Tommy still gets to play twice a week at Merkinch Community Centre and with fellow pipers, retired policeman Blair Anderson and Ian MacLennan.

Tommy is pictured (centre) with Blair (left) and Ian, who modestly claims to be still a learner after four years of Tommy’s tuition!