Vernon's rooftop bagpiper pens tune in honour of Dr. Bonnie Henry

Vernon's rooftop bagpiper has scaled back his performances since the reopening of the B.C. economy and a return to busy streets in the city centre.

But, Pipe Major Don MacLeod of the North Okanagan Pipes and Drums, was so inspired by the reception he received for his daily playing during the pandemic lockdown that he has penned a tune in honour of B.C.'s top medical health officer and guiding light during the crisis, Dr. Bonnie Henry.

MacLeod debuted the song for Castanet on Wednesday, playing from his rooftop garden patio on 30th Avenue.

The piper had played daily for three and half months, often up to an hour and a half at a time, not only to practise in isolation, but also to add a spark of life to downtown Vernon during the height of the shutdown.

"I thought I'd liven things up a bit," he said, "so I took it upon myself to just start playing for people ... It lifted my spirits, and hopefully others' as well."

MacLeod said once word spread of his 1 p.m. performances, people would start to gather. Sometimes, he'd have 30 or more people watching from the street below.

"With the reopening and things getting more back to normal, I just play now when I want to ... but I felt Vernon needed me before."

Indeed, merchants told him it was just what the downtown needed.

MacLeod's titled his homage A Tribute to Dr. Bonnie Henry.

"At first, I drew a blank. I tried for something lively, upbeat. But then I thought it needs to be more like her – calm and quiet, soothing."

MacLeod described it as "a pretty little piece."

You can still catch him playing, if you're lucky, on the rooftop across from The Phoenix restaurant.