Piper Donald Armstrong of Dingwall 'honoured' by British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to music and the community
A community stalwart in Dingwall was among those named in the New Year Honours list.
Donald Armstrong, of Castle Street, receives a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to music and the community.
Mr Armstrong, who will be 90 later this month, has been a member of the Dingwall Pipe Band for 55 years and is treasurer of the Dingwall Fire Brigade Community Group which carries out charitable work in the town, including staging a Christmas dinner for senior citizens.
Mr Armstrong was among the pipers who played at the town's Armistice Day ceremony in November but said that would probably mark his final performance.
He also taught piping at primary schools from 1996 but gave up due to covid restrictions.
He said he was surprised to receive an award in the New Year Honours.
"I feel very honoured to be singled out," he said.
"To my mind there are lots of other people who have done far more with less recognition."
He and his wife, Anne, have a son and two daughters. Their youngest daughter died of cancer.
During his working life, he undertook various jobs including being at sea, working at the Dounreay plant and the British National Oil Corporation.
