Over the years I have been lucky enough to blow pipes with numerous Scots Guards pipers and in fact my first two tutors had both been Scots Guards Pipe Major’s. So we thought we would share a few vintage photos of the Scots Guards Pipes and drums.

The Scots Guards Pipes and Drums today

The Pipes and Drums are an essential part of Regimental life, with Pipe tunes marking events throughout the day as well as each company within Battalion.

The Pipes and Drums are divided into two sections; the Pipers under the Pipe Major and the Drummers under the Drum Major. Pipers and Drummers are infantry soldiers first and foremost who receive their musical training at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming in Edinburgh.

On operations they are employed as Assault Pioneers, trained in explosive entry, demolitions and basic base construction. It was while deployed on operations during the Falklands Conflict in 1982 that Pipe Major Riddell produced his pipes on the summit of Mount Tumbledown and composed the famous pipe tune, The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain.

The Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards are known throughout the world and are regularly called upon to perform at high-profile events. Recent engagements include a two-month tour of the United States, including a performance at the Pentagon, Jules Holland’s Hootenanny and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.