Cape town highlanders drums and pipes

The Drums and Pipes of the Cape Town Highlanders is South Africa’s oldest pipe band, dating back to 1889.

Our slightly unusual name (most pipe bands are referred to as ‘Pipes and Drums’) is a legacy of our connection to the Gordon Highlanders – reputed to be the original military pipe band - who added bagpipes to their drum corps. We continue to play in the Gordon tartan, and our Regiment maintains an alliance with the Gordons’ antecedent regiment ‘The Highlanders’, 4 SCOTS.

The band is made up of an eclectic mix of reserve force volunteers and civilians and performs at a wide range of events including military-ceremonial events and tattoos; Regimental and Regimental Association parades and events; community outreach initiatives; pipe band competitions; and various private functions.

The Drums and Pipes are South Africa’s most experienced international pipe band, with an excellent reputation on the world stage.

We have been fortunate to have performed at a number of leading international events including the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2012); the Basel Tattoo (2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022); the Berlin Tattoo (2011); the Cherry Blossom Festival in Jinhae, South Korea (2009); and were one of only six bands invited to perform at a special event in celebration of the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor, UK (2016).

We are always on the lookout for new members so if you are an experienced musician, or would like to learn how to play the bagpipes or drums from scratch, please get in touch!

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