This photo was published in Queen s Own Highlanders by Lt-Col Angus Fairrie with the caption ‘The Pipes and Drums and the Regimental Band of the 1st Bn Queen’s Own Highlanders at Edinburgh Castle 1970’. The drum major stands at the front, on the left, and the bandmaster on the right. The pipe major is at the front of the line of pipers on the left; the other pipers,14 visible, are in lines near the front, flanked by the band musicians. The drummers are at the back. The pipes and drums normally played together under the command of the drum major. They were fighting men who formed their own platoon on active service. The musicians are commanded by the bandmaster who trained at the Royal Military School of Music.
In his book, published in 1983, Colonel Fairrie says, ‘The bandsman of today is an accomplished and versatile musician. The range of the regimental band’s repertoire extends from ceremonial parade music to the latest ‘pop’ songs and dance tunes. Their music, both on and off parade, is a popular and inherent part of regimental life. In addition to their role as musicians, the bandsmen are trained as medical orderlies and so have an important part to play in wartime.’
Parade Music
Royal Salute -The National Anthem
General Salute - Scotland the Brave
Slow March - Garb of Old Gaul
Quick March - The Regimental March
Advance in Review Order - Highland Laddie
At Mess Dinner nights the band play March of the Cameron Men after the dinner, and the bandsmen sing the lyrics written in 1829 by Miss Mary Maxwell Campbell. The tune is also a regimental pipe tune, set as a 6/8 march for the bagpipes.
