From my days in the Can. Black Watch

**NorCalPiper** · 25th March 10, 11:24 AM

Well......Thats kind of a fib. In 1987, when I was 16, I went to work for the summer at the Isle de St.Helen in Montreal as a 78th Fraser. This is basically the old fort the Island that has a french reenactment squad and a Scottish squad. Most of the lads were either in the Black Watch Pipes and Drums, or the youth brigade. Anyway, I was room mating with a guy who was in the Black Watch P&D and I would go with him to his practices and practice with the band. LOw and behold, the band fell one member, and I was substituted to compete with the band at Maxville and to do the Canada day parade. So twice as I was able to be kitted out and march (AND COMPETE!!) with the Black Watch. My mother had come up to watch us at Maxville, and before she left back for Atlanta, she had wanted a picture of me in full dress.....For those of you that have worn such gear, you know how long it takes to assemble, so by the time I had gotten everything on, I just didn't want to put on the hose tops and spates (So I'm only wearing our day Lodens ). Anyway, my mother found that pic and emailed it to me. Pretty neat, huh? I'm not sure too many AMericans have been able to do such a thing either with the Canadian, or Scottish BW.-

**Galician** · 25th March 10, 11:50 AM

Wow, Josh, seeing you in that get-up, I realize how intimidating even 16 year-olds could be back in the day, on a battlefield.

**NorCalPiper** · 25th March 10, 12:46 PM

I did have to do drill with them before I could march.....Notice the thumbs....It seemed it was always about correct hand position...NAd the mean look....That seems to have never left me....Still gotta work on that.

**NewGuise** · 25th March 10, 01:22 PM

Severe and intimidating yet so darned cute in that outfit ...

**BoldHighlander** · 25th March 10, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by NorCalPiper

Pretty neat, huh? I'm not sure too many AMericans have been able to do such a thing either with the Canadian, or Scottish BW.-

Very cool

I have an old friend (full-blood Cherokee /'Nam vet - US Special Forces) who was the first full Native to serve as a member of the Canadian Black Watch many moons ago, or so I've been told.

I don't know if he has any photos, I'll have to ask.

**NorCalPiper** · 25th March 10, 02:10 PM

Well my Grand-Father was full blooded Cherokee (4th trail muster roll Anigatogewi) . Does that count? ;-)

**BoldHighlander** · 25th March 10, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by NorCalPiper

Well my Grand-Father was full blooded Cherokee (4th trail muster roll Anigatogewi) . Does that count? ;-)

Close enough

**NorCalPiper** · 25th March 10, 02:52 PM

In retrospect, I think that was really one of the funnest times of my life. To be 16 and by myself in Montreal at age 16.....Wow!
At that time Pipe Major Andy Kerr was leading up the BW band and had really done a good job. I can't remember if we competed grade 2, or 3...I think it was grade 2. Anyway, he had selected some fantastic tunes for MSR and MEdley, and really sculpted us for that competition at MAxville. I can't remember if we won (I actually think we placed 3rd), but that was the summer that the 78th Frasers (The big band led by Bill Livingston) was taking the world by storm with their precision tuning and technicality, and P/M Kerr really strove to emulate that kind of sound. That was really the turning point for improving my piping, and after that summer I moved up to Grade 2 for solos and really got into piping with the Atlanta Pipe Band.....Although I missed the regimental look and discipline of the BW.

I haven't thought of those days in a LONG time!