Fond memories came rushing back when 88-year-old former piper Alex Morrison was treated to a private performance of the Army in Scotland's 'The Pipers' Trail' - a musical and theatrical spectacle touring Scotland over the next six weeks.

Alex, who lives at Tang House in Lerwick, Shetland, was delighted to hear tunes he had played across North Africa's deserts as a young piper in the second world war being played to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army.

"I joined the Black Watch TA regiment before the war so I could play the pipes, and before long I was with the 51st Highland Division in the Libyan desert," Alex said.

"Monty would come and give us all a talk, and we'd get issued two bottles of beer afterwards. We always knew that meant we were about to go back into action!".

"I heard the Pipers' Trail was coming, and I asked if I could be a part of it. I think it's the finest idea I've heard in years," he said.

Alex recounted his war exploits to Brigadier David Allfrey, Commander of 51 (Scottish) Brigade and the man behind the Pipers' Trail concept.

"It is an honour to meet Alex, because he displays all the values and standards that the Army still holds dear, such as courage, integrity, loyalty and respect for others," he said.

"I hope the Pipers' Trail will help people see what Army stands for," he commented. "Come and join us on the route, sponsor a mile, have a go at a workshop, or perform in a show. Think of a way to join the fun, and follow the piper!"

Pipers Trail began on Tuesday 17th July in Lerwick and will wind its way for 460 miles around most of Scotland's population centres with a celebration of bagpipe music, highland drumming and the historic connections through which the Army in Scotland is interweaved with the nation's culture.

More photos of The Pipers' Trail visit to Shetland (17-18 June) and Orkney (18-20 June) have been uploaded to flickr, you can click here to  view them .

Whiteness Primary School played host to the Pipers’ Trail today (18/06/08) when it joined forces with the Sodeya drum troupe.

Sodeya have been giving masterclasses to primary pupils who have spent around a year learning on how to play the drums from Shetland local woman Joy Duncan as part of the Youth Music Initiative.

The Piper’ Trail bumped into Sodeya when they were giving an evening performance in Lerwick and they decided to join up to give the pupils of Whiteness school something special.

Commenting on the performance Joy said: “The children loved it! They were all up dancing to what was a very special performance of Scottish Pipes and Drums and African Drum Music.”

Pictured are Sodeya and Joy (centre) with Drummer Robert McCutcheon and Lance Corporal David Barnett, in blue tops, both of the Scots Guards.