Pipes & Drums of Blackwatch Come to State Theatre, 1/13

The Pipes and Drums of The Black Watch 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and The Band of Scots Guards bring their legendary pipes, drums and highland dancers to the State Theatre on Sunday, January 13th, 3 PM.

The Lehigh Valley's own world-renowned Liberty High School Grenadier Band will open the show.

Tickets are $40 & $35 and can be purchased by visiting the State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton Street, Easton, by calling 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132 or online at www.statetheatre.org. Sponsored by WDIY 88.1 FM.

Featuring bagpipes, traditional military marches, drum solos, Celtic dancing and beloved songs, this event promises a spectacular afternoon of pageantry and excitement for the entire family.

The War of the Austrian Succession brought The Black Watch its first Battle Honor, at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745. Shortly afterward, it distinguished itself at the Battle of Ticonderoga during the French and Indian War.

Although The Black Watch participated in many battles during the Revolutionary War, it clams no honor for these engagements against its American cousins. The red tackle or plume, which the Regiment considers a Battle Honor, was awarded in 1795. Legend claims it was awarded for service at the Battle of Geldermalsen. However, more than likely it was an award for many years of service in North America.

During the nineteenth century, The Black Watch served all over the world. In the Napoleonic Wars, it comprised part of the British Army at the Battle of Corunna, Toulouse, the Peninsula Campaign and Waterloo. It also fought against Russians in the Crimean War, quelled mutineers during the Sepoy Rebellion in India, fought against Colonel Arabi Pasha in the Egyptian Campaign of 1882 and the Dutch South Africans in the Boer War.

The Regiment raised 27 battalions for service on all fronts during World War I, Battle Honors for the Great War include the Marne, Ypres and the Somme.

The Black Watch fought the "Axis" in theaters as far away as France, Greece and North Africa. Notable engagements during World War II include Crete, Tobruk and El Alamein.

The Regiment's service since World War I has sent it to Borneo, Korea (where it fought with the U.S. Marine Corps at "The Hook") as well as several tours in Germany and, most recently, Hong Kong.

Today, The Black Watch continues to serve as a fully operational Battalion in the modern British Army. The Black Watch was spared during the recent defense cuts, which caused the amalgamation of many historic regiments.

The red hackle worn on the bonnets of The Black Watch was adopted in 1795. In the Regiment, the red hackle is more than a trophy; it represents an honor and on most headdresses is worn in lieu of a regimental badge. When the feather bonnet (which does have a badge) is worn by the Pipes and Drums, the Pipe Major and Drum Major wear a small sphinx under the tackle in commemoration of the Battle Honor "Egypt" -specifically the 1801 Battle of Alexandria. Pipers of The Black Watch have always worn the feather bonnet.

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