A YOUNG piper has been making sure his neighbours’ birthdays during isolation are still uniquely special.

Sam Johnston, 12, of Tweedie Place, North Berwick, has been playing ‘Happy Birthday’ on his bagpipes for other young residents in the Walker Homes Glen Ora development.

Law Primary School P7 pupil Sam, who plays for Preston Lodge Pipe Band, is helping children with birthdays celebrate their special day despite lockdown.

It started when one mum, Fee Andrews, posted on a neighbourhood Facebook group asking for people to hang out of their windows and sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her son Brodie.

Sam’s mum Fiona suggested that he could play the bagpipes and, after playing for four-year-old Brodie, who described the experience as “good”, Sam has been inundated with requests.

In keeping with social distancing guidelines, Sam plays the tune by his front door, with neighbours welcome to stand on the pavement and sing along.

Fiona said: “He has been practising in the garden every day, and is doing his lessons online.

“He’s doing something good for his community – giving his pipes a blow and doing something nice for

the kids that are stuck inside.

“I am really proud of him. He doesn’t like standing up in front of people so it is good he is putting himself out there when things are tough.

“We are a family of pipers – Sam’s papa and two of his uncles are pipers.

“It’s a family tradition to play the pipes on someone’s birthday when the cake comes in. It’s so nice that he is sharing that tradition with the kids.

“One girl was too shy to stand at the door so Sam stood in the back garden and piped for her – she could hear it from her house.

“It’s something a bit fun to do and helps brighten their day. It’s so uplifting and makes people feel better; we just thought it would be a wee bit of fun.

“Sam’s birthday was April 4 so he knows how it feels.

“I don’t think he understands how big it is; he’s making people smile.”

Fiona added: “I’ve met more neighbours in the past few weeks than the past year of living here.”

Fee said: “It’s a really lovely thing that he is doing and he’s such a nice boy as well.

“Brodie kept saying, ‘Mum is that for me, is that for me’?

“It’s brought the community closer together. When it was Sam’s birthday, a few people came out to sing for him.”

At the beginning of the month Sam also played for Josie Wheatley, who was celebrating her seventh birthday. With her birthday party cancelled, and unable to celebrate with friends and family, Josie was delighted to have Sam play his bagpipes for her.

Josie’s mum Emma said: “Josie said she felt happy and amazing after being piped for and being sung to by all the neighbours. It really made her feel special. She phoned all of her friends and family to tell them about her special day. It really made her feel like she had a great birthday.

“When she heard it [the music] she was so over the moon.

“During such worrying times, Sam brings a smile to the children’s faces.

“I just think someone who is 12, to put themselves out there and to make these young people feel so special is such an amazing thing to do.

“It’s so nice to see a young lad use his skills to bring happiness to children on their birthdays.”