A Hamilton youngster got the surprise of her life when she and her pals were piped back into school this week.
Kali Davidson, who attends Neilsland Primary, was delighted when Larkhall piper Haroon Rashid stood at the gates and played Scotland the Brave.
The P3 pupil wrote about Haroon as part of a local hero project for her school work during lockdown.
Kali, 6, said: “Haroon Rashid is from Larkhall. He plays the bag pipes very well.
“He plays at the cenotaph and visited war veterans during lockdown. He was also on the BBC for clap for carers. Haroon is our local hero!”
Kali’s dad Craig said: “Kali has seen lots of things Haroon has done during lockdown for the locals and the war veterans.
“He has always piped at the cenotaph in Larkhall and still did that as part of the VE day celebrations this year despite the restrictions.
“She also watched him at the Larkhall NHS distribution centre during the clap for carers where he featured on television.
“So she decided to select him as her local hero as part of her school work. I told Haroon and he was very humbled by it.
“So as the schools were about to go back for their first full week he contacted me about playing for her and her classmates. To say she was delighted was an understatement. She felt like a celebrity. We can’t thank him enough. It was very much appreciated at the school, especially by Kali.”
Haroon was “taken aback” by Kali’s note and wanted to say thank you.
He said: “When I saw the little paragraph she wrote, I was really surprised.
“I’ve been piping a lot around Larkhall during lockdown and the feedback has been amazing. Receiving the note from Kali was the cherry on top for me. She is a lovely wee girl, a credit to her family.
“She took it all in her stride on Monday and it was a great being able to make her first day back to school special.”
Check the Advertiser’s Facebook page or website for a video of Haroon piping.
