A MUSSELBURGH football coach is to be honoured as a Local Hero for his tireless work that has brought the sport to hundreds of young players over nearly three decades.

Scott Robertson will take part in the opening of the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament on July 2 by the Queen, after being nominated by Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh.

Mr Robertson’s fundraising to provide strips, footballs and equipment has also been recognised.

He is a founder of the Realgrassroots campaign, which involves one of the longest-running public petitions, related to youth football contracts, currently sitting at the Scottish Parliament.

It is turning out to be a historic year for Mr Robertson, who has volunteered his time as a football coach for 28 years at Musselburgh Grammar School and Musselburgh Windsor Football Club, of which he is now president.

He is one of seven principals in the Riding of the Marches, which takes place in the Honest Toun every 21 years. As a Halberdier, he is tasked with guarding the Honorary Provost during the ancient boundary-marking ceremony.

Mr Robertson, a former Musselburgh Citizen of the Year, has also been invited to be a special guest at Musselburgh Grammar School’s forthcoming prizegiving.

As a Local Hero, he will see the Queen when she leaves the Parliament following her address to members. He will then join Mr Beattie and other guests at the Riding – a historic procession that will make its way down the Royal Mile to the Parliament.

After lunch, the Parliament will open its doors to the people of Scotland for its Big Day Out. There will be an afternoon of entertainment, including musicians, dancers, Highland games and birds of prey.