Piper plays as children leave primary school for the last time
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A BAGPIPER played as children at two local schools left for the last time before heading to Forres Academy after summer.
Aidan Phimister (15) played the pipes as pupils at Applegrove Primary, which he left just a few years ago, and Pilmuir Primary finished their last day of school.
It was a touching moment, as the easing of coronavirus restrictions allowed parents to see their children bid farewell to primary school.
Applegrove Primary School's depute head Arlene Hunter said: “In line with current Covid-19 guidance, parents were invited to see their children leave their primary years behind as they move on to their next adventure.
“It has been a year like no other with many challenges which we have faced with the support of the whole school community.
"All staff wish our P7 pupils the very best as they begin their new learning journey at Forres Academy.”
As well as being a moment to remember for pupils and parents alike, it was something that piper Aidan Phimister won't forget in a hurry.
Aidan, who attends Forres Academy, used to be a member at Forres Pipe Band but now pipes for a grade two pipe band near Aberdeen.
However, this was his first chance to perform live since before lockdown started in March 2020.
His dad Ross said: "Lockdown meant no more band practice, which is what Aidan really loves so that was heartbreaking for him.
"He takes great pleasure in performing for the P7 leavers, and in fact this is his third year doing it for Pilmuir Primary.
"Applegrove, his former school, also asked if he would be able to play for them this year, and luckily they were later in having their P7s leaving school, so he piped for Pilmuir at 2:30pm and then Applegrove at 3:15pm.
"Other than a few video performances he has done for his own Facebook page and some online competitions, he hasn’t had much reason to get the Kilt on in the last 18 months, and he fully admits he was nervous for the Pilmuir performance.
"He was much more relaxed for his Applegrove piping duties later on, but thoroughly enjoyed both of them.
"My hope is that he can slowly get back to some sort of normality, and he can get back to playing in local and national championships again."
