HADDINGTON Pipe Band have come together to raise a glass to one of their founding members, who has celebrated his 100th birthday.

Ramsay Borthwick, along with the late Alan Brotherston, David Leckie and Bill Bradford, was instrumental in forming the award-winning band.

Members came together at the Tyneside Tavern, where the band was born in 1981, last week to mark the milestone birthday.

Mr Borthwick, who now stays in Melrose, returned to Haddington and was treated to a performance by the band to mark the auspicious occasion.

He was joined at the Tyneside by two of the other founder members – Mr Leckie, who still plays in the band and was the pipe major for many years; and Mr Bradford, who is now the band’s honorary president.

Also attending was the Provost of East Lothian, Councillor John McMillan.

Pipe major Fraser Wilkinson was delighted to mark the occasion.

He said: “It was wonderful to welcome Ramsay back to Haddington to see the results of what he and the other three founder members began.

“It was notable that we had so many young pipers and drummers playing for him at the event, a real testament to the success and vibrancy of Haddington Pipe Band, and more evidence that the foundations that were laid back in 1981 have proved very strong indeed.”

The band was initially launched as the Tyneside Tipplers and made its inaugural appearance in fancy dress at the Haddington Festival parade in 1981.

Since then, the band has gone from strength to strength, winning the Scottish Pipe Band of the Year title in 2009 and continuing to play a major role in the local community and beyond.