For Margaret McNeil was marking her 100th birthday, and the pipers had insisted on playing their part in her birthday party at Braidwood Care Home.

Margaret had taken up art lessons when she had retired and the classes she attended were run by Duncan Brown. She studied with Duncan for 35 years and the pair became firm friends, even joining up for family holidays around Europe together.

Duncan is also a well-known piper and so, when he knew her big birthday was approaching, he rounded up friends from the bagpipe community to mark her special occasion.

The gathering of family and friends were also joined by two official guests: South Lanarkshire Deputy Provost Bert Thomson and Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Lanarkshire David Russell.

Deputy Provost Thompson brought Margaret flowers and a birthday card from the council, and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Russell passed on Royal congratulations and handed over a 100th birthday cards from King Charles, while both dignitaries also presented Margaret with commemorative certificates to mark such a wonderful birthday.

Margaret was born in Glasgow and attended the city’s Wellshot Primary and Secondary Schools before leaving at the age of 14 to become a butcher’s assistant in Wilson’s Butchers in Tollcross.

She changed career to become a professional dressmaker, working in Frasers, in Glasgow, as a dress fitter and teaching dressmaking at night school. In her spare time, Margaret would also make dresses, including wedding dresses, to order.

Margaret married Jim Birss in 1942, but lost her husband two years later when Jim was killed in action during allied invasion of France while serving in the Scots Guards. She married again in 1945, to John Lamond, and the couple had two sons, Colin and Angus, who blessed them with three grandsons. After their marriage ended, Margaret found love again, marrying George Mcneil in 1979.

When she retired, Margaret was not one for sitting idle and, as well as her art classes – with painting and drawing being an important part of her life – she also loved to bake and join activities linked to her local church.

Due to Margaret’s eyesight, she can no longer enjoy her drawing and baking but does still enjoy spending time with others and looks forward to the visits she receives from her family and many friends.

Margaret moved into Beechgrove Care Home in March this year, where she has settled well, making many new friends, participating in activities and enjoying chats with the staff, reminiscing about her fascinating life.