Former world champion and Commonwealth Games highland dancer Dr Joanna Buchan heard the familiar melodies of a bagpipe chanter outside Port Macquarie's hospital earlier this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That moment, matched by her kilted dance skills, has since earned her a place among the ranks of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Pipes and Drums.
The Scottish-born performer, and anaesthetist, competed in world championships titles at the annual Cowal Highland Gathering held in Dunoon, Scotland from 1999 to 2009.
She also performed a solo choreography piece at the handover ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Dr Buchan moved to Port Macquarie in February.
"I've been in Australia for four years now, living in Victoria and then the northern beaches before moving to Port Macquarie not knowing what to expect at all," she said.
"It was on my first day at work as an anesthetic registrar and I was walking across the car park when I hear someone playing the chanter (bagpipes).
"I thought I was hearing things, maybe I was homesick or imagining things. It was a little slice of Scotland and I wasn't expecting that at all."
Dr Buchan has performed with the Pipes and Drums at various local events including Anzac Day.
"I think highland dancing is really energetic, it's lots of hopping and there's lots of history about Scottish heritage. It's an excellent way of keeping fit, having fun and making friends."
Dr Buchan began highland dancing at age four, began competing at age five and won her first championship at age eight.
She also joined the Port Macquarie-Hastings pipe band learner program to learn the snare drum, which her grandfather Ernie Blow has played for most of his life.
"My grandfather, Ernie used to drum in a pipe band back in Scotland and learning the snare means a lot to me," she said.
"He's now in his mid-80s but I have a lot of my memories of him drumming at the table on his placemat. He's a bit of a role model for me and I think he's a bit proud (of me learning to play the snare drum)."
Port Macquare-Hastings pipe sergeant Jenny McKenzie said Dr Buchan has good timing and natural ability - a perfect fit to join the band.
"I couldn't believe we had a world champion in Port Macquarie, what a coincidence," she said.
"We've not had a dancer before and it adds a lot to the entertainment of the band. It's another aspect we can add to the show and something different that people love."
The band will be performing at the Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival on June 5.
New members are always welcome and no musical experience is required.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Bookmark our website
Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
You can support us with a subscription
Follow us on Twitter: @portmacnews
Follow us on Instagram: @portmacnews
Follow us on Google News