Peter Piper graduates

St Andrews student Peter Meiklejohn is a familiar face at graduation ceremonies, having served in the role of Chancellor’s Piper since 2023. This week it was his turn in the limelight when he graduated with an MPhys in Theoretical Physics from the School of Physics and Astronomy this week.

Peter, from Edinburgh, has been piping since he was ten years old, having received lessons as a pupil at George Heriot’s School and has been Chancellor’s Piper at six graduation ceremonies at the University of St Andrews. When he first started learning to play the pipes, he practised at home. Although Peter said he doesn’t think the neighbours were annoyed,  he and his brother played, “so our parents certainly put up with a lot as we were growing up.”

It was his interest in problem-solving and a desire, “to gain insight into how the universe works at the deepest level,” that led him to choose Theoretical Physics.

He said his favourite part of the physics program was completing his Masters research project. Although a considerable amount of work, Peter said he found the independent research aspect of it particularly rewarding.

In addition to serving as Chancellor’s Piper, Peter also enjoyed piping in The Gaudie, St Andrews’ annual procession to commemorate student John Honey, leading the procession from Younger Hall to the pier on his pipes.

Peter will join the Government Operational Research Service through the Civil Service Fast Stream and will take with him memories of his time at St Andrews, in particular his trips to the Highlands with the University Breakaway Hillwalking club. He said that anyone considering pursuing a degree at St Andrews should, “get involved in as many different things as you can – there is always so much going on.”