Event Details: The Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch: Sounds of Scotland SOLD OUT!

The Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiments of Scotland and the Band of the Scots Guards harkens back to 1739. The War of the Austrian Succession brought The Black Watch its first Battle Honor, at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745. Shortly afterward, it distinguished itself at the Battle of Ticonderoga during the French and Indian War.

The Black Watch participated in many battles during the Revolutionary War. The Regiment's service since World War I has sent it to Borneo, Korea (where it fought with the U.S. Marines) as well as several tours in Germany and Hong Kong.

The red hackle worn on the bonnets of The Black Watch was adopted in 1795. In the Regiment, the red hackle represents an honor and on most headdresses is worn in lieu of a regimental badge. The scarlet doublets (Highland jackets decorated with white "Crown and Inch" lace, Inverness skirt flaps and wings) worn by the drummers of The Black Watch have remained virtually the same since 1914. Both pipers and drummers wear a regimental pattern white hair sporran (Highland purse) with five black hair tassels. The regimental dance team, which is drawn from the Pipe Band, wears modified Pipers and Drummers uniforms.

Today the operational role of the Pipes and Drums is that of Machine Gun Platoon, an elite unit within the Regiment. All its members are fully trained machine gunners. No matter where the battalion finds itself, one can be sure that pipes will soon appear. Tim Ainslie, who served as a piper with the 2nd Battalion during World War II, expressed it best, "Wherever the pipes are, the sound of the Scotland is close at hand".

Ticket Prices: $20, $35, $55, $75, Student discount available