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Over a century of aviation history ended at Leuchars today when the base was formally handed over from the RAF to the army. A poignant and militarily precise ceremony marked the end of 95 years of the RAF at the base. A flight of RAF and army personnel was led on to parade by the RAF Leuchars Pipes and Drums, led by Pipe Major Ian Hughes and Drum Major Alastair Pether.(snip) As senior officers took their positions, the pipe band played Hielan’ Laddie. "Heilan' Laddie"The Band of the Scots GuardsClick)

BANFF Academy’s pipe band will join entrants from other Aberdeenshire schools aiming to ‘give it a skirl’ at the world’s largest schools piping and drumming competition in March. The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships (SSPBC), dedicated to stoking up passion for Scotland’s national musical heritage, will be held in Edinburgh. Nearly 30 schools have already registered for the competition, taking place on Sunday, March 8, at Broughton High School and neighbouring Fettes College in the capital. Graham Drummond, pipe major at Banff Academy, said: "I’m very excited to be making history with Banff Academy, as this is the first time...

The iconic sight and sound of pipers playing Auld Lang Syne at Hogmannay Street Parties could be under threat – according to piping enthusiasts who are campaigning for more tuition in state schools. More than 75,000 people are expected to descend upon Princes Street on December 31 to attend one of the world’s biggest and most famous celebrations, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, which will see thousands of revellers sing along to the famous song at Midnight. However, according to David Johnston, Championships Convenor for the Scottish Schools Pipe Band, the world famous tradition could become a thing of the past...

The most successful pipe band of all time has won a tenth world title at the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland. The Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band has now defended its title in the top division for the fourth year in a row. Based in Lisburn, County Antrim, the band was founded almost 70 years ago. Another band from Northern Ireland, Bleary and District from County Down, also performed well, coming second in grade two of the competition. 'Premiership title' Northern Ireland's drum majors also dominated this year's championships, claiming 15 of the 18 available prizes. Drum major Zoe...

Fife was represented at a special Drumhead Service at Edinburgh Castle on Sunday to commemorate the centenary of World War One. The multi-faith ceremony on the castle esplanade marked the start of the five-year Scottish Commemorations Programme. Thousands of veterans, servicemen and women and relatives of heroes of World War One braved torrential rain to pay tribute to those who fought in the conflict. And among them was Kirkcaldy man Bert Hannah, who has been a driving force to have a local soldier’s bravery recognised 100 years after the battle in which he won a Victoria Cross. Mr Hannah (68)...

ONE of Scotland’s oldest Highland games will get underway today. Organisers are expecting crowds to flock to the public park for Tomintoul Highland Games, which is now in its 173rd year. Competition begins at 11am, with the massed pipes and drums marching into the park from the village square at midday, led by games chieftain James Fraser. The bands will play throughout the afternoon, with drum majors competing to throw their maces over a banner in time to the music. Heavy events are a particular attraction for foreign visitors, with athletes taking part in hammer and stone throwing as well...

The stirring sounds and colourful spectacle of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will come to Dundee for the first time next month. The free event in the city centre will showcase more than 600 performers coming from as far afield as Canada, Australia and Singapore. The line-up for the Taste of the Tattoo show will include the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra, Highland dancers, military bands, an Indian cultural troupe and the inimitable Massed Pipes and Drums.

A new season of Perthshire Highland Games opens this weekend with one of the most spectacular events on the annual calendar — the Atholl Gathering and Highland Games. The two-day extravaganza is the first of 14 events that will see tens of thousands of spectators descend on the region over the next four months. The summer of tradition and sport begins today with the Atholl Highlanders Parade — the annual inspection of Europe’s last remaining private army.

YOUNG pipers raised the roof at Broughton High School in Edinburgh as the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships got under way. Pupils from 98 different schools travelled from across the country to compete in the event and demonstrate their mastery of traditional Scottish music. A record number of youngsters took part in the championships, which are in their second year, with many getting their first taste of performing in public. Bands travelled from as far away as the Outer Hebrides and the Scottish Borders to compete in a variety of categories ranging from debut and experienced to a unique "freestyle"...

Drum Major Michael McLaughlin leads the regiment on Armed Forces Day They have marched into the heat of battle and brought tears to eyes at some of the most dramatic moments of world history. Now the Pipes and Drums of The Black Watch 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, will play at The Black Watch Castle and Museum in Perth for one night only on Tuesday May 13. The band is keen to support the heritage of The Black Watch and all funds raised from the concert will be in aid of the conservation and exhibition of the...

The Massed Pipes and Drums - Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2013 The sounds of the Massed Pipes and Drums welcome you to 2013's Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Bands featured: The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland 1st Battalion Scots Guards 1st Battalion The Royal Tank Regiment 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment The Wallace Pipes and Drums, Malta The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Guard of Oman

COMPETITIVE action in this year’s World Pipe Band Championships has got under way, with around 8,000 pipers and drummers vying for the top spots in their respective categories. The event is being held at its familiar home of Glasgow Green this weekend. It is the first time the annual gathering is being held over two days. Overall, 225 bands are taking part in the event, which is expected to be attended by thousands of spectators today and tomorrow. The gates opened at 8am today, with the competition beginning at 10am. An event spokesman said there was already a “great” atmosphere...

Part-time soldiers who have been on active duty in Afghanistan were presented with medals by the Duke of Rothesay at his home on the Balmoral estate, Prince Charles presented six Afghanistan campaign medals and one long service medal as the Territorial Army men’s proud families looked on. Afghanistan honours were presented to Major Kevin Wood, Corporal Iain McKinnon and Privates Chris Chambers, Benjamin Mellish, Andy Scott and Declan Taylor. Colour Sergeant Gary Buchanan was given the Long Service and Good Conduct medal for his fifteen years service to the Army. Damp weather didn’t deter the spectator’s enthusiasm as the ceremony...

All Grades (2, 3 & 4) - 1st Prize £700, 2nd Prize £200, 3rd Prize £180 and 4th Prize £170 Annan Riding of the Marches Pipeband Contest already attracts in excess of 25 bands annually from across the Country and the contest is expected to get bigger and better in the coming years. Following the afternoon contest the day culminates in the impressive sight and sound of mass pipes and drums marching on Annan High Street. Annan Riding of the Marches is recognised as being one of the best displays of pipes and drums in Scotland with the closing ceremony...

A YOUNG cancer sufferer was stunned when a famous Army marching band turned up at his door to perform in his honour. Garvey Evans, 12, was amazed as The 1st Battalion Scots Guards put on a special show just for him. The kilted drum-and-pipe band travelled hundreds of miles from their base in Yorkshire to Foxhole, Cornwall, after hearing of Garvey’s brave battle against a brain tumour. And he couldn’t believe it when they blasted out Scotland The Brave on his doorstep.

"Well done lads!" — that was the shouted sentiment of one voice which captured the mood of hundreds on the streets of Forfar as the newly returned heroes of The Black Watch marched proudly through the Angus town on Thursday. And the stirring sight of the Red Hackle-wearing soldiers, bayonets fixed, was more than enough to lift the gloom of a dreich morning as the first of a series of homecoming parades in Tayside and Fife received a royal salute. Led by the battalion pipes and drums and the band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, some 300 Black Watch...

STIRLING’S military connection will be further strengthened on Saturday when the Royal Regiment of Scotland is awarded the Freedom of the City. The Royal Regiment of Scotland is the senior and only Scottish line infantry regiment of the British Army Infantry and consists of five regular and two territorial battalions. While in combat dress, each battalion wears its own unique coloured hackle on the Tam O’Shanter: On Saturday, there will be a parade from Stirling Castle to Stirling Council’s Old Viewforth where the regiment will be awarded the civic honour in recognition of their services and strong links to the...

Pupils at St Mary’s RC Primary School were treated to a special performance from The Highlanders army pipe band on Thursday before many received lessons in how to play the instruments. Drum Major (Sergeant) Danny Brown introduced four pipers and three drummers from The 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland to the children to help promote the music and instruments to the next generation. Drum Major Brown works with the community engagement project run by the army in Scotland called The Pipers Trail. The army works with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, National Piping Centre and local...

VISITORS from around the world were among thousands of people who carried torches up Calton Hill in Edinburgh yesterday evening as the city’s Hogmanay festival officially began. Organisers say people from more than 50 countries, including Botswana, New Zealand and Taiwan, are expected to join the festivities which include the world-famous street party on New Year’s Eve. Meanwhile, communities from Shetland to the Scottish Borders are gearing up for their own celebrations which will see thousands of people defy the winter chill to party at open air events across the country. As well as street parties and firework displays in...

EVERY August for the last 16 years, Melrose and its annual pipe band championships have proved a magnet for attracting some of the country’s best pipers and drummers to compete for the prestigious silverware. From a small initial event, the championships now boast fierce competition among top bands and thousands of pounds are pumped into the local economy. But this year’s contest could be in jeopardy following the decision of founding chairman, Ian Graham, and the event’s entire committee to step down and call it a day. Just two members of the committee are not members of Mr Graham’s family...