A teenage piper is back in Moray after a month of playing a leading role in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.<\/p>\n
Molly Sinclair performed in front of audiences of more than 8000 people who came along each night to witness the world-famous show, which takes place on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.<\/p>\n
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The 15-year-old shared the role of Ri Teachd along with two other girls on a rotational basis<\/p>\n
Directly reflecting its Gaelic meaning of “future”, the part is traditionally performed by a young piper, symbolising the importance of preserving the Tattoo\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n
Amongst other things, it meant Molly had to play the iconic tune \u2018Scotland the Brave\u2019 solo.<\/p>\n
It also required her to perform a short but important piece of dialogue with the narrator, before marching off with the massed pipes and drums.<\/p>\n
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Molly said: \u201cIt was definitely nerve-wracking at first, but you quickly start to enjoy it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned so much. In fact, the whole experience was amazing \u2013 performing in front of so many people, staying in Edinburgh, meeting new people. It was great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Molly, who also plays the cello to a high standard, is a member of the Elgin & District Pipe Band.<\/p>\n
In addition she\u2019s also a pupil at Gordonstoun, having gained a music scholarship.<\/p>\n
She was chosen along with the other two pipers for the Tattoo following auditions.<\/p>\n
Next, there then followed a fortnight of deeply intensive rehearsals before the tattoo began at the start of August.<\/p>\n
Family members took it in turns to stay in Edinburgh with her.<\/p>\n
That included her mum and dad, Tracy and Alan, plus her grandad, Gordon Duncan, a former Gordon Highlander and a good piper himself.<\/p>\n
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