IT WAS a birthday to remember for East Lothian’s Nessie Lamb – thanks to the official piper to Edinburgh’s Lord Provost.

Nessie, originally from North Berwick but who now lives at Musselburgh’s Pittencrieff Court, celebrated her 90th birthday on September 6.

Nessie has been the matriarch of Pittencrieff Court for more than 20 years and loves catching up with her neighbours and sharing stories with them.

As well as telling stories, Nessie would attend dancing in Dunbar and is also a keen fan of TV’s Love Island series.

She was born and brought up in North Berwick and attended the local schools. Nessie talks fondly of her time in the town.

She moved to Edinburgh after marrying her late husband Andrew, whom she wed on April 19, 1952. The couple had one son together, Richard, who lives in Longniddry.

Nessie moved to Musselburgh more than 20 years ago after Andrew’s death.

Andrew had his own business, Andrew Lamb Catering, and Nessie worked alongside him.

The pair catered for some major events, including the Royal Highland Show and for Hibernian Football Club. She enjoyed her birthday in the courtyard of Pittencrieff Court alongside her family and friends who came out to visit her.

At the time, the ban on household visits was not in place and social gathering numbers were not as strict as they are now.

Other residents also joined the party in a socially distanced fashion.

Graham Patterson, a friend and neighbour, arranged for Louise Marshall, piper to Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, and who has previously piped for Hibernian Football Club, to surprise the birthday girl by piping her Happy Birthday.

Nessie was taken out for breakfast by Richard on the morning of her birthday so things could be set up, which included numbered balloons, returning to what was described as a big surprise.

Neighbour Kimberly Connerton said: “Her little face just lit up when she saw everything.”

Kimberly and Nessie often watch the Grand National together, with Kimberly adding: “She loves seeing what is going on in the world.”

Nessie said her birthday was “a day she will never forget”.