A former Citizen of the Year nominee has been found guilty of racially abusing a couple from the travelling community by calling them "gypos" and "minky tinks."

A former Citizen of the Year nominee has been found guilty of racially abusing a couple from the travelling community by calling them "gypos" and "minky tinks."

Drum Major Tom McDonald berated the state of the couple's garden and then launched into a tirade of abuse in a row over a drum pad worth £4.

McDonald, 82, who set up the Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band and was nominated as Blairgowrie's Citizen of the Year, denied making any racist comment.

He told Perth Sheriff Court he did not know what the term "gypo" meant.

McDonald was found guilty after trial by Sheriff Michael Fletcher of a racially aggravated offence in Rattray, Perthshire, last May 16 and fined £200.