The Band of the Scots Guards

**creagdhubh** · 4th March 13, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

The Pipes & Drums of the various battalions are holding onto the last vestiges of the old distinctive uniforms.

Which makes complete sense!

**gordontaos** · 9th March 13, 09:20 PM

Going to see them tomorrow afternoon in Albuquerque! According to the article in yeaterday's paper they have not toured in 7 years because of constant deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. I was surprised to learn that they all have "day jobs" as machine gunners, antitank gunners, etc. Also surprised to see that the CO says that they are better received here in the USA than back in the UK!
Anyway, I'm going to wear my MacDuff tartan, since that is from the Black Watch side of the family. My Great Uncle, Private Thomas Spence, died in France in 1918 while wearing the Black Watch tartan.

**cck** · 10th March 13, 05:55 AM

I would be interested in learning how many kilts appear in the audience. There were very few in Austin.

**gordontaos** · 10th March 13, 09:38 PM

Maybe 20 kilties were there.

**rsvpiper** · 11th March 13, 03:51 AM

Good to see your enjoying the tour, it's a shame we here in the UK don't get to see them other than at the Tattoo!

**OC Richard** · 16th March 13, 06:17 AM

Very interesting RSVPiper. I hadn't thought about that.

I would guess that the immediate area around each regiment's barracks might get to hear their bands more often? Maybe not?

I know in Edinburgh I've heard pipers practicing, Army pipers attending the School of Piping there.

A local example for us here in SoCal is the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing band, which I get to hear fairly often. They play at several of our local Highland Games and I've seen them at Disneyland (where I work). Once I saw them three days straight: Saturday and Sunday at our Highland Games and Monday at Disneyland:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCYs4nodha0

Notice that they use rope tension drums! How cool is that.