Massed bands of the Scottish Division - Highland Laddie and The Black Bear

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If you're interested in hearing a version that tends to be performed at the trooping of the colour, you can find the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56CY95zsX1A


"Highland Laddie", also known as "Hielan' Laddie", is the name of an old and popular Scottish folk tune that has, as with many old melodies, seen various incarnations involving a number of lyrics, over the centuries. The most memorable of these were penned by Scotland's most famous and favourite son, Robert Burns in His poem, "Highland Laddie, Highland Lassie".

Highland Regiments raised in the 18th and 19th centuries employed many unique symbols and distinctive music to announce their arrival onto the battlefield; which according to some, may be linked to the Ancient Clan culture of the Highlands. However as a result of the Cardwell Reforms of 1868-1874; an attempt supported by Prime Minister Gladstone to enact more efficiency in the British Army, all British Army Highland Regiments were required to use "Highland Laddie" as their regimental march. Over time, many of these regiments returned to their pre-Cardwell marches when, in March 2006, saw the amalgamation of Scotland's historic regiments into the new Royal regiment of Scotland and the subsequent adoption of the march, "Scotland the Brave". This particular version is performed by the massed bands of the Scottish Division, and has the accompanying tune "The Black Bear".