Black Watch in DC 1963

**Woot22** · 6th November 13, 04:10 PM

Not sure if this link to a video of the Black Watch performing at the White House back in 1963 with President Kennedy has been posted here or not. But I just ran across it myself over on Facebook so I figured I would share the link here if anyone else was interested. It is a very neat video and from the date attached to it, it appears they performed for the President only about a week before the tragic events unfolded in Dallas of that year. So check it out for a brief look into a moment that is both American and Scottish history.

http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-View...WHF-WHN11.aspx

**Downunder Kilt** · 6th November 13, 06:14 PM

What a great find Woot22, thank you very much for bringing it to our attention. Just love to see old films and newsreels such as this. Cheers

**Woot22** · 6th November 13, 06:58 PM

I really enjoy these old films as well, glad you like it Downunder.

**MacGumerait** · 7th November 13, 12:07 AM

Great video .

I seen a documentary about JFK many years ago and they spoke of his fondness for The Black Watch . According to their report ... when JFK discovered that The Black Watch were touring North America , he invited them to play at the White House . Not saying this is exactly how it happened , just what the documentary reported .

Also , Jacqueline requested The Black Watch to be a part of his funeral , both the procession and the ceremony at Arlington . If memory serves me correctly , I think the lament was The Flowers of the Forest .

**OC Richard** · 10th November 13, 10:30 AM

I have the programme of the Black Watch's tour in front of me now... it makes for interesting reading.

In the programme of their 1979 tour it states:

"In 1963 the Regimental Band, Pipes and Drums made a triumphal return to the United States and was honoured by being requested to play for a special performance at the White House for President John F Kennedy. A month later they were again called back to the White House... this time for a very different occasion. The Kennedy family requested the pipers of The Black Watch to play at the funeral of our fallen President- the only British regiment ever requested to play at a funeral of an American President."

My understanding is that they had to break off their North American tour for this reason. The Pipe Major of The Black Watch during this tour was J Anderson.

Pipe Major John MacLellan composed a tune Coronach for John F Kennedy.