A NOT-SO little drummer boy from the Borders has played his part in celebrating the 65th birthday of Prince Charles.

Corporal Graeme Tait played at a Royal Salute at Edinburgh Castle to mark the birthday of The Duke of Rothesay.

The 46-year-old from Melrose is a member of the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS).

And he admitted that it was a privellege to take part in the ceremony.

Corporal Tait told the Border Telegraph: “1 SCOTS, who are based at Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh, were deeply honoured to provide the Royal Guard and the Pipers and Drums at the 21-Gun Royal Salute to mark the 65th Birthday of His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay.

“The Royal Salute provided another occasion for the soldiers of 1 SCOTS to display their professionalism and pride in conducting such an honour.” Since Graeme joined the Army in 2003 he has served and performed in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, The Falklands, Kuwait, Germany, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Russia, The United States, Kenya, Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Slovakia. He is a former pupil of Berwickshire High School, and has two children Daniel, 22, and 13-year-old Niamh.

The Royal Scots Borderers (1 SCOTS) is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Two infantry regiments - the Royal Scots and the King’s Own Scottish Borderers merged in March 2006, and with the other Scottish infantry regiments amalgamated into the single seven battalion strong Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Members of the pipes and drums are Assault Pioneers within the battalion.