The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), 1949.

[Dave Kerr]

111-SC 333265, Credit NARA.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/630273...in/dateposted/


Dave

[OC Richard]

That's really cool.

So interesting that they're using rope-tensioned drums! Pipe Band drum technology has come so far, what with Kevlar drum-heads, floating drum-heads, the drums being worn high and straight mounted on harness contraptions that go over your head, and who knows what else.

Note that the "side drummers" (snare drummers) have big flaps of white leather to protect the kilts from getting torn up by the drum.

And the Tenor Drummer is wearing a tiger skin, a legacy to the bands who served in India back in the old days.

Generally the Bass Drummer would wear a tiger or leopard skin, and sometimes the Tenor Drummers too. Seems that in the old days these skins were plentiful and inexpensive and worn to protect the doublets and kilts which were expensive items that had to come all the way from Britain.

Here's a modern video of the Black Watch pipes & drums' drum-corps. They're still wearing the snare and tenor drums on shoulder-belts, quite oldfashioned in the pipe band world today.

But they still have those skins!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM3lSOLv9Ow

[OC Richard]

In contrast to that video, here's a modern military pipe band in civilian kit competing at a Highland Games.

Their kilts, flashes, and Glengarries are from their regimental uniform, while their ghillies, hose, sporrans, waistcoats, and shirts are civilian.

Note the snare drummers are wearing the modern harnesses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIx4XBM-304