The Black Watch Pipes and Drums 3SCOTS

01/05/2026

30/03/2026

Members of the Platoon were happy to support 4 SCOTS Pipes and Drums with The Regimental Gathering this past weekend in Edinburgh, celebrating 20 years of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The weekend included a Beating Retreat, the launch of the new Regimental music book (thanks mostly to 2 SCOTS - Pipes, Drums & Bugles.) and finished on Sunday with a march down the Royal Mile to Canongate Kirk.
We in The Pipes & Drums are often deemed as the custodians of the traditions of The Black Watch, evident in our uniform and in the tunes we play whilst on duty and on parade. We take this role extremely serious and are privileged to carry such a name.
We are equally as proud to be members of and represent The Royal Regiment alongside our fellow Jocks and take great pride in our Cap Badge as the Army continues to adapt.
The Platoon would like to thank all those who have served in The Royal Regiment of Scotland for their service throughout these past 20 years.

05/03/2026

The Platoon would like to congratulate the newest members of the team. Privates Breen (Drummer), Sanger and Young (Pipers) have recently just passed out from The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming after completing their class 3 courses.
The course is one of the longest in the British Army lasting 6 months. All three arrived completed beginners and have finished with high praise from their instructors with Private Breen being awarded the Best Bugler on the course.
The Battalion, friends and family are all very proud on what they've managed to achieve and we would like to send out our thanks to the Piping School, particularly to our own Cpl McCaskill who is currently stationed there as an instructor.

21/02/2026

As our time in the South Pacific comes to an end the Platoon would like to send out a vote of thanks to those that made this possible:

Firstly to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for having us on the tour, secondly to our friends in 2 SCOTS - Pipes, Drums & Bugles. 7 SCOTS Pipes & Drums and The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming for the support along the way. Finally to the audience who made it an unforgettable experience, both in Brisbane and Auckland

These opportunities, the people you meet and the places you see is often only achievable by those within the Pipes & Drums of the Regiment. Representing the Battalion at such events is always a great honour.

12/02/2026

It's opening night in Brisbane as The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes its show Down Under. Many hours of grueling rehearsals as well as dealing with the jet lag will finally pay off for the lads as they get to perform in front of 30,000 people in Suncorp Stadium tonight.

From the ANZACS in Gallipoli to modern conflicts in Afghanistan, Australia & New Zealand have always been some of the UK's closest and strongest allies.

The platoon are very proud and grateful for getting the opportunity to represent the Regiment at such an event and are looking forward to the next 4 nights playing in Brisbane.

🇬🇧🇦🇺🇳🇿

04/02/2026

Upon official appointment as Pipe Major of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, the hand over of the reigns has now been completed from Pipe Major James Muir to Pipe Major Jake Noble.
PM Muir took over PM in 2020 and has overseen such commitments as the Platinum Jubilee, HM The Queens Funeral, HM The Kings Coronation as well numerous Tattoos and parades throughout the years.
PM Muir also guided the Platoon through our Operational commitments from training the Ukrainian Forces on Operation Interflex to leading the Machine Guns through Exercise Bull Storm in Kenya.
The Platoon would like to wish PM Muir all the very best as he settles into his new role as Pipe Major of the Army Piping School in Edinburgh, teaching the future army pipers and would like to congratulate PM Noble on achieving such an honourable position.

06/01/2026

Happy Red Hackle Day

Traditionally celebrated on the 5th of January or the first Tuesday back from Christmas Leave, it is the Battalions day to acknowledge and pay tribute to all those who came before us.

The day is started at 0630 with the Senior ranks waking up and serving 'Gunfire' (tea laced with whisky) to the juniors whilst the pipers play the respective Company marches. The rest of the day is often reserved for sports and a lunch served to the Jocks by their chain of command.

The Pipes and Drums are the custodians of Regimental history and tradition within the Battalion. All of us would like to wish all those who serve and have served under the Black Watch/3 Scots banner a very happy Red Hackle Day.

FTFT 🔵🔴🟢

17/11/2025

Our very own old Drum Major Muir in his new role recruiting for the Army, if anyone following this page is interested in a career in the military, give the Career Office in Inverness a follow and reach out to a Career advisor today.

Recruiting tomorrow's Army today.

Visit Jobs.army.mod.uk to find out more.



Have you got what it takes to be a Piper or Drummer in The Black Watch 3 SCOTS? 🤔

Get in touch with this page, SCOTS Careers or your local Armed Forces Career Office Inverness.

09/09/2025

The Royal Regiment of Scotland – Pipe Music Book Update 🎶

Preparations are well underway for the very first Pipe Music Book to be published by the Regiment, marking our 20th Anniversary in early 2026. This exciting publication will include all SCOTS and Battalion duty tunes, along with music composed by members of the Regiment, accompanied by history, stories, and photographs from the past 20 years.

So far, 51 pipe compositions have been submitted, and tunes can still be sent in until 14 September 2025 by serving members and veterans of RRS. After this date, submissions will be shortlisted, and those selected will be contacted.

👉 Regimental Piobaireachd Competition
As part of this project, RHQ has also commissioned the creation of a Regimental Piobaireachd. This unique tune will be closely tied to the Regiment and officially recognised as our Piobaireachd.

Please note: The competition to decide the winning composition will now take place on 1 December 2025 in Edinburgh (rescheduled from October). The judging panel will include esteemed pipers from within the Regiment as well as a member of the Piobaireachd Society.

More details will be released in due course — but this is a historic opportunity for serving and retired pipers to leave a lasting musical legacy for the Regiment.

🎵 A proud moment in our history, and one we look forward to sharing with you all.

23/08/2025

After tonight's final performance at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and 18 Years in Platoon it is time for both our Pipe Major and Drum Major to move on.

CSgt James Muir and Sgt Peter Muir both joined the Pipes and Drums straight from phase 2 training. Both non players they learned their respecitve instruments from March - September 2008.

Pipe Major Muir assumed his role in 2020.
Drum Major Muir assumed his role in 2022.

Together they made history as the first twins to hold these prestigious roles.

Whilst under the command and guidance of Pipey and Drummy Muir they have been fortunate to take the band overseas to Basel, a first overseas trip in 8 years, this opened the flood gates for band and individual jobs worldwide. Our most notable performance would be at the Diamond Jubilee, Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II Funeral and the Coronation of King Charles III.

Pipe Major James Muir leaves to assume the role of School Pipe Major at ASBM&HD.

Drum Major Peter Muir is posting to Inverness Recruiting Group and promoting to CSgt, he hopes to recruit future members for the platoon whilst in role.