Scottish War Drums?

**MacHenderson** · 15th December 08, 08:10 PM

Listening to bands like Wicked Tinkers and Albannach, you hear some really cool tribal drums in the background.
I've heard some vague mentionings of Scottish War Drums, unrelated to the modern Scottish marching band drums. I've only found mention of actual, ancient Scottish war drums in an article on a band, Soar Patrol. http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/SaorPatrol.htm
(Another pretty good tribal celtic band.)
The actual quotation is "Real Scottish war drums are made from massive slices of tree trunk and are too heavy to pick up, so they’re only used for studio work."
Does anyone know any more info on these drums? I'd like to try building some. What about alternates to these drums?

**Derek Conley** · 15th December 08, 11:46 PM

I'd be interested in learning more about this as well.

If anyone's interested, here's Saor Patrol's Myspace.

**Arlen** · 16th December 08, 06:44 AM

Honestly, I have NEVER seen or heard anything about a Scottish war drum made from a huge tree.
I'm from Scotland and I actually studied Scottish history and Scottish Music and the like. I've never come across anything like it.
Before marching drums came about the thing most used was a large bodhran which still wouldn't involve a giant tree.

I'm a fan of Saor Patrol, but I wonder if they were pulling someone's leg.
As an alternative to a drum like that, I'd say go ahead and build yourself a bodhran.

**davedove** · 16th December 08, 06:51 AM

I can't say I've ever heard of Scottish drums like that, but I did see a group once that combined bagpipes with African drums of that nature.

**Jock Scot** · 16th December 08, 06:52 AM

I am with Arlen.That's news to me too.

**cajunscot** · 16th December 08, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by Arlen

Honestly, I have NEVER seen or heard anything about a Scottish war drum made from a huge tree.
I'm from Scotland and I actually studied Scottish history and Scottish Music and the like. I've never come across anything like it.
Before marching drums came about the thing most used was a large bodhran which still wouldn't involve a giant tree.

I'm a fan of Saor Patrol, but I wonder if they were pulling someone's leg.
As an alternative to a drum like that, I'd say go ahead and build yourself a bodhran.

When I first read this thread, I thought of a Lambeg Drum, but that's really more of an Ulster thing and not that ancient:

http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/lambegdrum.asp

DISCLAIMER: For information purposes only. Let's not discuss the Troubles, please.

Regards,

Todd

**Detroitpete** · 16th December 08, 10:06 AM

When I first read this I thought --WOW a drum I haven't heard of! I'm a drummer and percussionist and have played a variety of celtic/folk/tribal/ethnic styles with many varied instruments. I've never heard of this type of drum, but if its the sound you're looking for--they don't have to be celtic to sound tribal, ya know what I mean? (drummer speak, sorry) The deeper, darker thunder tones you might be looking for can be made from various drums. Stave drums tend to offer this depth because of the fabrication, but look at many cultures and you'll find drums with the tones you are looking for from Djembes, taikoes, bodhrans, congas, etc.

If you're looking for someone to play this with you--get a good percussionist--he'll know what to look for from 'de-tuning' heads to choosing different drums.

Good luck!

**Finn** · 16th December 08, 10:10 AM

Dave~ I think I saw those guys in Roanoke in '05.

**cloves** · 16th December 08, 10:48 AM

taiko drums are so cool! Sorry to hijack, but have you ever seen the taiko drummers that run big marathons...then play a concert once they've finished their run?? Incredible!

**pipe23** · 16th December 08, 11:31 AM

The drums they may be talking about in the Saor Patrol article could be similar to Native American "table drums" like these at http://www.allnativedrums.com/
Some are made from a hollowed out section of tree trunk or log, others are made of staves. They are heavy but I can see them using something like that in a studio.
The drums they and other goups like them are usually bodhrans and Brazilian Surdos, much easier to carry and dance about with.
As the earliest form of drum was probably a hollowed out section of tree trunk with an animal skin stretched over it the ancient Scots or whatever they were at the time probably did something like this.