In Highland forces, from early times, the Piper has held an honoured position.  Unlike other musicians he was also a fighting man, accompanying and inspiring his comrades in action.  His duties commenced at daybreak when he roused the camp with the stirring notes of his piob mhor (great pipe).

The counties of Argyll and Sutherland, and the isles, have always been noted for producing good pipers, many from boyhood; in the early nineteenth century those from Sutherland (especially the parish of Tongue) came 'as if trained in a school.'

Until about 1850, marches and quick-steps were only allowed to be played when on the march, and reels for dancing; at all other times the recognised music was piobaireachd (pibroch), the classical music of the piob mhor.

In very early days, drummers were used as messengers between opposing armies, for which purpose the drummers had to be men of intelligence.  In time, signalling by beat of drum gave way to the more distinctive calls of the bugle.  Each bugle call was preceded by the regimental or battalion call in order to catch the attention of the correct unit.  The senior drummer (Drum Major from 1810) was responsible for training the drummers and boys in bugle calls and drum beating;  he also had to carry out the sentences of corporal punishment (the latter were rare in the 93rd).

The Highland regiments held pipers and drummers in companies, the pipers being held against other established posts such as fifers and drummers until 1854 when the War Office recognised pipers and established Pipe Majors.  Additional instruments and accoutrements were funded by the officers.  Thereafter pipers were often formed as a band, to which the drums were added as accompaniment.  Unlike fifes and drums, the drums did not precede but followed the pipes.  Hence the Pipes and Drums, as we know them, came into being.

Throughout the 1815 New Orleans campaign the pipers encouraged their comrades on every possible occasion, especially the disastrous attack on 8 January.  During the 1854-55 Crimean War the pipers were prominent.  In India 1857 as Sir Colin Campbell's Highlanders fought to relieve Lucknow, pipers sounded 'The Campbells Are Coming' as a signal of hope to the besieged Residency.  At the storming of the Begam Kothi, Pipe Major MacLeod was one of the first in, and played throughout the fighting.  When all was over he was complimented for his bravery and replied "Ay, Sir, I knew our boys would fight all the better when cheered by the pipes!"  In South Africa 1899 at Magersfontein it was Piper Corporal MacKay of the 1st Argylls (91st) who rose up under fire and steadied the Highland Brigade, an act of bravery which had a direct effect on events.  On proceeding to France in 1914, the 2nd Battalion (93rd) had twenty-one pipers; after ten months of fighting, eleven were casualties.

In 1910 an Army School of Piping was established at Edinburgh Castle to train potential pipe majors.  Today a joint school teaches piping and drumming.

Nowadays the Pipers and Drummers are qualified infantry soldiers who still bear their share of operational tasks.  It is to their credit that they also maintain their musical skills to such a high level of professional competence.

Continued: Pipe Banners