#Royal Scot Dragoons

[scotianostra]

On April 14th, 1972, 52 years ago today, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards topped the UK charts with Amazing Grace.

Almost fifty years ago an Army pipe major approached his regimental music director and asked him to make an arrangement for a spiritual hymn that went well on the pipes. The Pipe Major was Tony Crease, the tune was Amazing Grace and The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards were about to take the popular music world by storm

One of the band’s top fans was the late BBC disc jockey Alan Freeman. He said: ‘I don’t see it as the pop sound of the 70s but this record is the greatest.’

Amazing Grace topped the singles chart for 5 weeks, the RPM national singles chart in Canada for three weeks, and rose as high as number 11 in the US. It also topped the charts in Ireland and South Africa. In 2007, Universal records released a new album by the group, Spirit of the Glen, some of the album was recorded at a military base in Basra, my friend’s husband played in the band, which went on to be awarded a Classical Brit award.

It is also a controversial recording as it was a bit of a first, blending the pipes with military brass band instruments. It was a new sound, odd as that seems today. There was something of a controversy at the time; the Pipe Major of the regiment was summoned to Edinburgh Castle and rebuked for polluting the pipes with Sassenach metalwork.

In 2007, Universal records released a new album by the group, Spirit of the Glen.

Many artists have performed the song over the years, checking out my go to place fortunes, Allmusic, they list over 1,000 recordings – including re-releases and compilations! Some of the most well artists who have sung versions are; Judy Collins, Kenny Rogers, The Beatles, Jeff Buckley, Rod Stewart, Boy George, Aretha Franklin, George Jones, Grace Kelly, Glen Campbell and Elvis Pressley.

[barbucomedie]

"Ferguson" Breech-Loading Rifle from Aberdeen, Scotland dated to 1776 on display at the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum in Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

These rifles were invented by Lieut-Colonel Patrick Ferguson of Pitfour, Aberdeenshire. Ferguson's improved quick thread breech-loading rifle was an improvement on an earlier invention. He served as a subaltern in the Royal North British Dargoons (Scots Greys) from 1759 to 1762. Ferguson was killed in South Carolina at the Battle of King's Mountain in 1780 during the American Revolutionary War.

Photographs taken by myself 2023

[monkeyssalad-blog]

The Royal Scots Greys postcard by Harry Payne by totallymystified

[kdo-three]

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipes and Drums - Auld Lang Syne (2008) w/ The Band of The Coldstream Guards Robert Burns / Traditional from: "Auld Lang Syne" (LP|CD)

Pipe Major: SSGT Derek Potter Director of Music: Lieutenant Colonel Graham O. Smith (MBE)

Scottish | Pipes and Drums | Celtic

JukeHostUK (left click = play) (320kbps)

Recorded: @ The Angel Studios in London, England UK

[odk-2]

U.S. Memorial Day, 2023

The Pipes and Drums and Military Band of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - Amazing Grace (1967) Traditional from: "Heart of the Highlands: The Great Celtics Anthems of Scotland" (2002 Compilation)

Arranged by Graham Owen Jones

JukeHostUK (left click = play) (320kbps)

[charlotte-of-wales]

The Duke of Kent receives an 89th birthday treat from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, who have performed 'Happy Birthday' outside Kensington Palace. The Duke served for over 20 years in the Royal Scots Greys | October 9, 2024

[aimeedaisies]

Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, Katherine, the Duchess of Kent, Lord Nicholas Windsor and Prince Michael of Kent watched three pipers from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) play outside Wren House, Kensington Palace to mark Prince Edward's 89th birthday, on 9th October 2024.

The Duke is Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and served as an officer in the Royal Scots Greys between 1955 and 1971. The regiment was subsequently amalgamated with the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales Dragoon Guards) in 1971 to become the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

[satureja13]

Chapter 27

The One

Where they

finally get to enter the Therapy Game!

celebrate Beltane

Uh - I don't want to spoil more ö.ö'

'Smiles in the sunshine and tears in the rain Still take me back to where my memories remain Flickering embers grow higher and higher As they carry me back to the Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre Oh, mist rolling in from the sea My desire is always to be here Oh, Mull of Kintyre'

Mull of Kintyre - Paul MacCartney & The Wings

[captain-price-unofficially]

Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Challenger 1 during the Gulf War with a lot of extra kit

[ginandoldlace]

1896 Balmoral - A image of Emperor Nicholas II in the uniform of the Royal Scottish Dragoons. An icon depicting the monarch canonized in 2000 hangs in the regiment headquarters in Edinburgh and accompanies it during military operations, while the band of this military unit plays the anthem of the Russian Empire, ‘God Save the Tsar!’, at ceremonial events.

The Royal Scottish Dragoon Guards Regiment is, indeed, the elite of the Armed Forces of the country. It was formed in 1971 by combining the 3rd Carabinieri Guards Regiment (Prince of Wales Dragoon Guards) and the 2nd Dragoon Regiment (the so-called ‘Royal Scots Greys’).

Both military formations have a long history (since the 17th century) and many glorious victories are credited to them, but it is the ‘Greys’ that have a special bond with Russia. In 1894, Queen Victoria, in honor of the engagement of Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich (future Emperor Nicholas II) with her favorite granddaughter, Princess Alice of Hesse (future Empress Alexandra Feodorovna), appointed him to the honorary post of Chief Colonel of the 2nd Dragoon Regiment.

On November 19, 1894, in St. Petersburg, in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Nicholas, who had already become tsar, accepted the honorary patronage over the regiment and, two years later, Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Welby officially represented the Dragoons at his coronation.

In 1896, Emperor Nicholas II made his first foreign visit after his coronation to Great Britain. For a meeting with Queen Victoria at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, he arrived in the red uniform of the Royal Scots Greys and it was these soldiers who accompanied him on his journey through the country.

In 1902, Nicholas II commissioned his portrait in the uniform of a colonel of the Dragoon Regiment from famous Russian artist Valentin Serov and presented it to his charges. Today, it is in the Royal Scots Greys Museum at Edinburgh Castle.

[scotianostra]

The memorial erected to the Fallen Heroes of the Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons) on Princess Street in Edinburgh was unveiled by the Earl of Roseberry, K.G., P.C., on 16th November 1906.

The memorial is opposite the junction with Frederick Street and is an equestrian statue in bronze, of a trooper of the Scots Greys in full review order of 1899.

The statue is mounted on a pedestal of rock which bears the bronze plaque containing the inscription and Regimental badges. The sculptor was Mr William Birnie Rhind; the models for the statue were *Sergeant-Major Anthony James Hinnigan and his horse called “Polly”.

Anthony James Hinnigan was born in Jedburgh in 1866 and in 1882, at the age of 16, he joined the Royal Scots Greys. For the next 17 years he served with the Greys on home duty but in September 1899, by now with the rank of Sergeant-Major, he went with the Greys to South Africa when they were mobilised for service in the Second Boer War.

On his return from South Africa in 1904 Sergeant-Major Hinnigan and his horse Polly were selected as the models for Rhind’s Memorial.

Sergeant-Major Hinnigan was discharged from the army in 1911 and became landlord at the Railway Inn at Irvine in Ayrshire.

*Please note I had a look around the net when researching this and relatives of many people who served in the regiment also claim that it was their relative in the statue, although most sources give Hinnigan’s name.

I would say with it’s prominent position on Princes Street in front of Edinburgh Castle, it is one of the most photographed statues in Edinburgh, and possibly Scotland. More on the Scots Greys Regiment in just over a week.

[barbucomedie]

Basket-Hilted Cavalry Sword from the British Empire dated to the Mid-18th Century on display at the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum in Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Swords of this type were purchased by the colonels of the British cavalry regiments for the use of their men. The styles of hilt varied from regiment to regiment. Basket-hilted swords became popular, not just with Scottish regiments but many cavalry regiments around Europe.

The 2nd Royal North British Dragoons were part of the War of Austrian Succession (1740 - 1748) as part of the coalition forces. They fought at the battle of Dettingen in 1743 where King George II became the last British monarch to fight in a battle. In 1745 the last Jacobite Rising took place and unlike in the last risings the regiment were left in Flanders.

Photographs taken by myself 2023

[kdo-three]

US Memorial Day 2024

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 - 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 / 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 (𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟖) Words: "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon Music: "Flowers of the Forest" (Traditional) from: "Spirit of the Glen: Journey" (CD)

Pipes | Scottish | Military | Requiem | Spoken Word

JukeHostUK (left click = play) (320kbps)

Narration by James Naughtie Produced and Arranged by Jon Cohen

'For the Fallen', Poem Spoken Over a Solo Piper. Recorded on a Military Runway in Basra, Iraq.

For the Fallen (excerpt) They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. by Laurence Binyon (1914)

[odk-2]

U.S. Memorial Day, 2023

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - For the Fallen / Flowers of the Forest (2008) Words, "For the Fallen": Laurence Binyon Music, "Flowers of the Forest": Traditional from: "Spirit of the Glen: Journey" (CD)

Pipes | Scottish | Military | Requiem | Spoken Word

JukeHostUK (left click = play) (320kbps)

Spoken Word by James Naughtie

Produced and Arranged by Jon Cohen

'For the Fallen', Poem Spoken Over a Solo Piper. Recorded on a Military Runway in Basra, Iraq.

For the Fallen (excerpt): They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. by Laurence Binyon (1914)

[thestrangestperson]

For those of you who do not know:

FLOWER OF SCOTLAND IS REAL (and Crowley shouldn't know it)!!

It is considered the national anthem of Scotland. Scotland has no formal anthem, however Flower Of Scotland is the go-to - Especially at rugby and football games. We will ignore how when Scotland entered the world cup, we went by Yes Sir, I Can Boogie by Baccara.

It is a lovely tune and often accompanied by bagpipes. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards do a fantastic rendition, as well as The Corries who originally wrote it. The strange thing is, it wasn't penned until the 1960s. So I'm not sure how Crowley knew that one..

Unrelated note, there was a clan called the McPhails which is like. Very close to "MacFell" Aziraphale you lucky bastard.

[aimeedaisies]

The Princess Royal’s Official Engagements in June 2024

04/06 As Master of the Corporation of Trinity House, attended the Trinitytide Anniversary Annual Court Meeting, Church Service and Luncheon. 💼⛪️🍽️

As Colonel-in-Chief, The Royal Corps of Signals, this afternoon inspected The Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment on public duties at St James’s Palace. 🫡

As Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Members Election Commission, held a Members Election Commission Meeting at St James’s Palace. 💼

05/06 With Sir Tim As Colonel-In-Chief of The Royal Regina Rifles, unveiled a statue and attended a Reception at 10 Place des Canadiens, Thue et Mue, Bretteville. 🇬🇧🇫🇷🇨🇦

With Sir Tim Attended a service of commemoration and reception to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings at Bayeux War Cemetery. 🪦🪖

With Sir Tim As President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, attended the Annual Service in Bayeux Cathedral to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. ⛪️

With Sir Tim As President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, attended a service to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings at Bayeux War Cemetery. 🪦🕯️

06/06 With Sir Tim Attended the Annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. 💂

As Colonel of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), attended a Household Cavalry Council Meeting at Hyde Park Barracks. 🐎

07/06 Opened Forest of Dean Community Hospital. 🏥

Visited Ruskin Mill Trust in Nailsworth. 🏫

09/06 Attended the Bramham International Horse Trials Prize Giving, on its 50th anniversary. 🏇🏼

11/06 Opened Mercator Media Limited’s 25th Anniversary Seawork Marine Exhibition in Southampton. ⛴️

As Patron of the British Nutrition Foundation, visited the British Armed Forces Nutrition Programme at The Royal Logistic Corps Regimental Museum in Winchester. 🍏🍊

As Patron of Farms for City Children, and Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, attended a Festival of Learning at Butchers’ Hall. 🥩🥓🍖

Unofficial Sir Tim attended a reception at the King Edward VII Hospital and unveiled a plaque dedicated to Sir Jameson Boyd Adams. 🍾

With Sir Tim As Royal Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, attended The Prince Philip Fund Commemoration Dinner at Prince Philip House. 🍽️🍾

12/06 On behalf of The King, held an Investiture at Windsor Castle. 🎖️

As Chancellor of the University of London, attended the School of Advanced Study 30th Anniversary Reception at Senate House. 📚📖

As President of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences, attended a Dinner. 🍽️🗺️

13/06 As Patron of Transaid, visited the Multimodal 2024 Exhibition. 🛻

As Patron of the Townswomen’s Guilds, attended the Annual General Meeting. 💼

As Patron of the Foundation for Future London, attended the UK Cultural Exchange launch. 🇬🇧🗺️

With Sir Tim As President of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, attended a President’s Panel Discussion and Dinner. 🎤🍽️

14/06 Presided over a conference attended by the Colonels of the Regiments of the Household Division. 💂

Cavalry Regiments

Blues and Royals - Princess Anne

The Life Guards - Non - Royal

Footguards

Grenadier Guards - Queen Camilla

Coldstream Guards - Non - Royal

Scots Guards - Prince Edward

Irish Guards - Catherine, Princess of Wales

Welsh Guards - Prince William

Reserves

London Guards - Prince Edward

15/06 With Sir Tim Trooping the Colour

17/06 With Sir Tim Attended a chapter of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in the Throne Room, Windsor Castle. 🏰

With Sir Tim Attended a luncheon, hosted by the King, at Windsor Castle. 🍽️

With Sir Tim Attended an Installation Service was held in St George’s Chapel at which The Duchess of Gloucester was installed as a Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. 🪽🎖️

18/06 unofficial Attended day one of Royal Ascot. 🏇🏼

19/06 unofficial Attended day two of Royal Ascot. 🏇🏼

20/06 unofficial With Sir Tim Attended day three (Ladies Day) of Royal Ascot. 🏇🏼

21/06 With Sir Tim Attended the RNLI Beating Retreat, Reception and Dinner at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. 🛟🥂🍽️

22/06 With Sir Tim As Patron of the Eric Liddell 100, attended a Service in St Giles’ Cathedral, followed by a Reception to commemorate 100 years since Eric Liddells Olympic gold medal win. 🥇

~ Engagements cancelled due to hospitalisation ~

Total official engagements for Anne in June:

2024 total so far:

Total official engagements accompanied by Tim in June:

2024 total so far:

FYI - due to certain royal family members being off ill/in recovery I won't be posting everyone's engagement counts out of respect, I am continuing to count them and release the totals at the end of the year.