Lone piper honoured to join opening celebrations

Standing atop a castle on a calm and clear winter’s day in Dunedin was everything it was piped up to be for Sally Craik.

The lone Dunedin bagpiper was on the Larnach Castle tower yesterday morning, playing as part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations.

"Even if there were howling gales and horizontal rain, I’d definitely still have done it — it’s for the Queen," she said.

She was one of hundreds of bagpipers across the United Kingdom, UK Overseas Territories and the Commonwealth who kicked off the four-day celebration by performing Diu Regnare — Long to Reign in unison at 9.35pm (British summer time), from locations of their choice, as a tribute to the Queen.

The tune was written for the historic jubilee by Scottish champion piper and pipe major Stuart Liddell.

The global performance was just one of many official events due to be held around the world during the celebration, which started yesterday and finishes on Sunday.

Ms Craik said she felt incredibly honoured to play in what is a very rare celebration.

It would be the first time a British monarch has marked 70years as Sovereign.

"I’m very grateful for this opportunity — it’s huge."

john.lewis@odt.co.nz