Piper to perform lament for Seafield baby funeral

A tragic baby found dead on a path almost two years ago will be laid to rest with a piper and a specially-made burial gown this Friday – thanks to a big-hearted drive from Lothian residents.

Cameron McKay has offered to play at the funeral. Picture: Jon Savage

Police launched a major investigation in July 2013 when the body of the boy was discovered by a dog walker near Seafield Crematorium, but attempts to identify the infant and track down family through public appeals, DNA testing and forensic examinations all failed.

The disturbing find shocked residents from across the Capital, with flowers placed at the site as a mark of respect in the weeks that followed.

Police Scotland has announced the baby will be laid to rest this Friday at a service in Seafield Cemetery at 10am, and appealed for members of the community to attend the funeral. Since then offers of help and support from kind-hearted residents have been flooding in.

Piper Cameron McKay, from Cousland, near Dalkeith, was so moved by the story he has offered to play a lament as the baby is laid to rest.

The 21-year-old said: “My mum bought the paper and I just saw the story. I thought it would be something nice to do. I’ve recently started up my own piping company, and I have the time to do it. It’s pretty sad – especially if nobody was at the funeral.”

And retired dressmaker Margaret Halliday, from Corstorphine, is set to stitch a special funeral outfit for the tragic infant to be buried in.

The 66-year-old, who works with Inverness-based charity Angel Wings, said: “It’s heartbreaking, it really is. To know that there is nobody there for him is really sad.

“Everybody feels that babies should be buried in something they love, and I feel like this baby hasn’t really got anything to love.”

Tests on the baby found it may have been up to six weeks old at the time of discovery, with police revealing it was possible it had lain on the path for up to a month. But baffled detectives said they believed the infant was healthy and well fed in the run up to its abandonment.

Detective Inspector Rory Hamilton said: “There has been a overwhelming response from the local community regarding this incident and their support has been invaluable.

“We are still continuing with our efforts to trace the child’s mother.”

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