THE WEE SCOTCH PIPER
The couple were none other than Alan Craig and his wife. The sight that their old eyes would soon see, as the happy tears dimmed their view, would be their son, their Ian. He was now a tall, manly piper in kilted uniform, marching and piping with the flower of Scotland's army.
By their side sat another. His kindly face shone with pride, and in his heart was a singing joy.
For Sandy MacGregor had taught this lad to play. It was the same old pipes of Sandy MacGregor that he still used. He would soon show those pipes to a cheering crowd as his fingers flew over the chanter. While he played, his arm would shelter the tartan bellows once sheltered by Sandy's own arm as the old piper had wandered over hill and through dale.
Sandy MacGregor had lived many years for this moment. As he craned his neck for a sight of the coming parade, he spoke to the little girl beside him.
"See, Betty, 'tis they coming now."
Betty, Ian's baby sister, was now a girl of the age Ian had been when first Sandy had met him.
Together, Betty and Sandy had dreamed and planned the day when together they would view their piper laddie on parade.
For Sandy had dwelt in the village of Aberfoyle these many years. While he had piped for his living, he had taught another piper, who was now to cover his old teacher with glory.