The Transvaal Scottish Pipes and Drums
Senior Bagpiper Craig Whitley and Senior Drummer Antony Evans, Leaders of the Band.
Formed in 1902 from volunteers of Transvaal province, the Transvaal Scottish Regiment is proud to be one of the oldest military units of South Africa. The band fought in the battles of the WWI and WWII. At present it is a part of the reserve forces.
The drummers of the regiment wear the Merray of Etoll tartan while the bagpipers – the Merray of Tallibardin tartan. The regimental emblem is the Scottish flower thistle with Gaelic motto “Alba num Buadh” (Scotland – Motherland of Valour). All these together with the regiment name is accommodated on the star the Order of Thistle.
The Regimental Pipes and Drums belong to the best bands of South Africa. Many musicians of the band are champions of their country in solo performance. The band often takes part and wins in the national competitions (including in 2003, 2004 and 2006). In 1999 the band represented South Africa at the Royal tournament in London in the presence of Her Majesty Elizabeth II.
