Lecture | The Musical Heritage of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Synopsis: The music of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders has lifted the spirits of generations of soldiers, and civilians too. Our music has identified the regiment with its signature tunes, acknowledged actions and personalities, underpinned important events, worship and entertainment, and alleviated the tedium of long marches. Music signalled commands, and regulated the routine. Music has encouraged Highlanders forward into battle. Conversely, the beauty of music has sent generations of soldiers to sleep at the end of a long day, and laid them in their final resting places. In a tough profession, a bugle call or a familiar pipe tune could do much for esprit and the will to carry on. So here we trace the regiment’s musical heritage. Why were things done the way that they were? Who did what? With sound and vision we hear the music, and the stories that bring the music to life.

Speaker: Hamish Clark

Hamish’s service to Queen and Country spanned fifty years. Enlisting in 1963 he passed out from Sandhurst into The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. His service has been shaped by his generation’s UK Defence policy: the Cold War ‘watchful readiness’ in West Berlin and West Germany; operational service on the jungle frontier of Sarawak in Borneo, in Crater the crucible town of Aden, on the Hong Kong-China border, and in the streets and border country of Northern Ireland. His extended service continued on the full-time staff of the Territorial Army, and finally on the staff of the Army’s Military Secretary supporting the Chief of the General Staff. Hamish’s extra-mural regimental responsibilities included those of Mess President, Pipe President and Band President. For many years he also served as an active Committee Member and Trustee of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum.

6.30pm Drinks Reception (Drink included in ticket price), 7.00pm Lecture Commences

£11 non members | £9 Friends