Brothers Make Army Music History On Parade Square At Catterick

Two brothers have made history in the British Army's Royal Regiment of Scotland by lining the parade square together as Pipe Major and Drum Major.

Since the formation of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, there has never been a brother combination to hold these two appointments at the same time.

4 SCOTS Pipe Major Colour Sergeant Peter Grant and 4 SCOTS Drum Major Sergeant Ruaridh Grant took to the parade square together at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire.

CSgt Grant spoke about the "proud moment' he was sharing with his brother.

He said: "When you think back going through the years when we were younger growing up together, I never thought we would end up like this, together here on this stage at the same time."

As well as being a highly skilled and qualified piper and drummer, they are also trained assault pioneers and professional infantry soldiers who have toured across the world, including in Canada, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, USA, Russia, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Iraq and Afghanistan.

CSgt Grant had wanted to join the Army since he was young, becoming an Army cadet.

He said: "We lived close to Balmoral Castle, so the Queen's Royal Guard always came up to Ballater every year."

CSgt Grant saw them every year and thought "I want to get involved. I want to do that".

Sgt Grant, however, did not share his brother's interest.

He said: "I joined initially just to join the Army. I actually had no interest or experience with pipes or drums... my brother persuaded me down the pipes and drums route." 

Due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions, this was the first time the brothers had performed on parade in front of an audience in almost a year. 

In April, however, CSgt Grant performed before a global audience when he was called to play as the lone piper at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral – the only solo during the ceremony.

He played a lament inside St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, one representative of 4 SCOTS, the battalion of which the Duke of Edinburgh was Royal Colonel.

CSgt Grant said: "It was quite a lot of pressure playing to nine million people worldwide, but it was the greatest honour of my career and I'll never forget it."