MacMoray Festival’s sweetest moment? Callum Beattie makes six-year-old’s birthday extra special on stage
‘Mum did I actually go up there?’ - those were the sweet words of a stunned six-year-old who had just appeared on stage in front of 10,000 people.
Cyra Milne turned six on August 10 and singer Callum Beattie made sure her day was one she won’t forget in a hurry by singing Happy Birthday to her in front of thousands at Elgin’s MacMoray Festival.
The Turriff Primary School pupil, who loves coming to MacMoray, was celebrating her big day by watching Beattie - one of her favourite singers - in the front row while eating cake.
That’s when, with the help of hundreds of chanting fans, the Edinburgh-based singer noticed her and grabbed her on stage.
Cyra’s mum, Alannah, was was born in Elgin, said: “She said before that she really wanted Callum Beattie to sing her Happy Birthday, but that she didn’t think he would. She didn’t think she would get to meet him.
“It was honestly amazing. No-one thought that would happen. She was loving it, dancing away and eating her cake, and that’s when Callum noticed her and said to go up on stage.
“She is amused that she got to go on stage with how many people that were there. When she came off the stage she was trying to get over it. She said to me 'mum did I actually go up there?’”.
Alannah thanked Callum for his kind gesture, as well as the crowd members who grabbed his - and security’s - attention with their calls for Cyra to be allowed on stage.
She added: “All the crowd were shouting. I've never seen an atmosphere like that before. It was amazing for that to happen.
“I wanted to thank everyone that was there because none of that would have happened otherwise. The amount of support was great.
“She's overwhelmed with it and just wants to show people at school.”
On bringing Cyra on stage, Callum Beattie said: “I saw a birthday cake, so I assumed it was her birthday and invited her onto the stage.
“I don't know how many thousands of people are here - maybe 15,000 - but we all sang her happy birthday.
"I hope she enjoyed herself. She looked a bit scared when she got up - but it was a lovely thing to do.
“You never know - she might be coming to my gigs until she is 60, if I'm still alive!"
Alannah, who regularly travels through with Cyra for MacMoray, added: “It has aways been good and everyone has a good time.
“It would be a shame if it didn't carry on. It brings a lot to Elgin.”
