A famous Courier Country piper has serenaded Gandhi’s grandson for the activist’s 80th birthday.
Craig Weir, who has performed for other famous faces, including the Queen and the Dalai Lama, played a piped version of Happy Birthday over Skype to Arun Gandhi.
Mr Gandhi, who now lives in Rochdale, New York, is famous for his activism and spreading his grandfather’s message. And he said he was delighted with the special birthday piping.
“It was a great serenade I enjoyed it very much. It was certainly one of the more unusual birthday presents I have received,” Mr Gandhi said.
“I have been to Scotland twice but I wish to come again. I do own a kilt though,” he added.
Craig, 20, who last week won the Young Scot Arts award, said it was a delight to perform for another famous face.
“It was a real pleasure playing for Mr Gandhi,” the Dundee University student said.
“To meet such a famous man is obviously brilliant and I really hope to meet him face to face when he next comes to Scotland.
“I don’t really get nervous playing for famous people anymore, more a feeling of exhilaration.”
Craig got the opportunity to serenade Mr Gandhi after playing for another famous face, the Dalai Lama.
He said: “This all stems from when I played for the Dalai Lama in 2012.
“When I played for him it was organised by Victor Spence, who is the Scottish representative to the Dalai Lama, the international representative to Arun Gandhi and the founder of the World Peace Tartan.
“In 2012 he invited me to play for the Dalai Lama, who was the first wearer of the World Peace Tartan. The tartan was then officially launched in April 2013 by Arun Gandhi, so that’s where the link between the Dalai Lama, Arun Ghandi, Victor and me comes in.”
Craig, who takes the lead with the pipes in his band Gleadhraich, is already an internationally recognised piper in his own right. Last year he played for stars and VIP guests at the Mobos in Glasgow.