Scottish music: A bagpipe like the one played by the Dundee band at the opening ceremony

An amateur pipe band from Scotland today described being hand-picked to perform at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony  'like winning the lottery'.

The small Dundee band were spotted by Chinese officials when playing abroad last year and thought it was a joke when asked to play at the prestigious event.

The Mains of Fintry Pipe Band, whose members include a decorator, a fireman and a meat inspector, had to keep their biggest-ever show secret ahead of the Games.

Even family members were said to have been surprised when they watched the band march out into the stadium.

Their performance will have been seen by around 4 billion people around the world.

Piper Eddie Wighton said of the invite: 'It seemed too good to be true but we looked into it a bit further and started to get excited.

'Not only were we chosen to represent the UK but the whole of Europe.

'Never in a million years would I have imagined that we would have an opportunity like this.

'It has been like winning the lottery.'

The pipe band is a charity and had to rely on local businesses and suppliers for help with the cost of uniforms and travel expenses.

Mr Wighton said: 'We didn't even have a full set of uniforms never mind the funds to accommodate a trip to Beijing.

'We got busy writing off to everyone we could think of for support and were amazed at the response.

'People were so keen to help and really pulled out all the stops for us.'

He added: 'Since our arrival in Beijing we have all had a fantastic time.

'The city is amazing and the people are fantastic.

'We can see the average person on the street is very proud to be hosting the Games and they have made us very welcome.'

Pipe Major Richard Smith, who has been playing for over 30 years, said: 'My only trouble has been selecting 16 members to play from our band of 26 - no easy task but I was a very popular man for a time.'

Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie congratulated the band's achievement.

He said: 'It is quite a leap from the Fintry community centre in Dundee to the Birds Nest in Beijing, and their performance is absolute Olympic gold.'

Dundee Lord Provost John Letford said: 'It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with the band, both playing and non-playing, that they should be given such a great honour.'