Each year an eight day intensive course of piping and drumming instruction is held at Cameron Barracks in Inverness during the Easter school holidays. The course is attended by well over 200 cadets from all over the UK. It is organised by Major Jim Stout, National Cadet Piping Executive Officer, who is assisted by an expert team of instructors. Cadets can, and do, study for a variety of awards. The course ends with public performances in Inverness and Dingwall.

The first part of this video shows extracts from a band practice on the parade ground at Cameron Barracks. The army cadets are wearing their own specially commissioned tartan (red) while the air cadets are wearing the Royal Air Force tartan (blue). This was a working rehearsal which was not open to the public, so it is fascinating to watch the band working with the course instructors.

The historic surroundings of the Cameron Barracks high above Inverness on Knockentinnel may bring back memories for some. In 1910 the first Army Class of Instruction was taught here by PM John MacDonald under the supervision of the Piobaireachd Society. The barracks were the home of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders from 1886 until 1960.

Also included are extracts from the two public performances by the cadets. The salute at the Beating Retreat ceremony in Falcon Square in Inverness was taken by the Depute Provost of Inverness, Jean Slater.

In Dingwall we see the band coming 'over the bridge' into the town from the old Seaforth Barracks and saluting the Seaforth Highlanders South Africa 1899 -1902 War Memorial as they pass. We then see the band marching along Dingwall's High Street. The salute was taken outside The Royal British Legion by the Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, Janet Bowen.

You can find out more about cadet piping and drumming at www.armycadets.com from where you can also download sheet music for all the music featured on this video.

MUSIC LIST

[00:00] CAMERON BARRACKS, INVERNESS (afternoon, 10 April 2014)

[00:00] The Atholl HIghlanders (second part) [attrib. Lady Charlotte Murray c 1780]
[00:42] The Glasgow Gaelic Club [traditional]
[01:24] Queen Elizabeth's March (1941) [PM William Ross (1878 - 1966)]

[02:06] The Atholl Highlanders (first part) [see above]

[02:48] The Highland Brigade at Magersfontein [J MacLellan DCM (1875 - 1949)]
[03:51] The Green Hills of Tyrol [Rossini, adapted by PM John MacLeod (1854) from the Tyrolienne from Rossini's opera William Tell]
[04:53] When the Battle's O'er [William Robb (1863 - 1909)]

[05:40] The Barren Rocks of Aden [attrib. James Mauchine (1843)]
[06:21] Highland Laddie [traditional]
[07:03] Mairie's Wedding [traditional]

[07:44] FALCON SQUARE, INVERNESS (evening, 12 April 2014)

[07:44] Drummer's Call

[08:46] Fear a' Bhàta (The Boatman) [traditional Gaelic air]
[09:46] Itchy Fingers [PM Robert Pinkman (1953 - 2012)]

[11:05] La Boum [Mort Shuman (1936 - 1991), adapted by Betrand Louët for Bagad Brieg. Originally this was the song Un été de porcelaine from the film L'Hôtel de la Plage (1978)]

[13:21] DINGWALL (afternoon, 11 April 2014)

[13:21] The Glasgow Gaelic Club/Queen Elizabeth's March
[14:57] The Rowan Tree [traditional]