The Cape Town Highlanders Drums and Pipes were in Germany earlier this month to represent South Africa at the first ever international Berlin Tattoo.
The Highlanders were also the first ever military band from the southern hemisphere to march through the famous Brandenburg Gate.
The military tattoo brought together about 1 000 contributors in 22 military brass and pipe bands from 11 countries, including all over Europe, the US, Canada, Russia and as far as Oman and South Africa.It featured a varied programme including music, dance and singing.
According to Captain Ian Long of the Cape Town Highlanders, the 29 Bandsmen were guests of the Bundeswehr (German Federal Defence Force). They are all volunteer members of the South African National Defence Force and represent not only the Highlanders and SANDF, but also Cape Town and South Africa. The City of Cape Town’s logo is displayed on the pipe banners, to show where they are from.
“For the duration of the Berlin Tattoo Cape Town Highlanders had pride of place with the centre rank, and our base drummer was the lead drummer and took centre position, so the City was well advertised on our base drum,” he said.
The Highlanders regularly participate in international tattoos, and were honoured to be invited to participate in Berlin’s first tattoo. They are planning to return to the famous Edinburgh Tattoo in 2012, after six previous appearances. They have also been invited to the Moscow Tattoo and the Paris Tattoo next year.
The City of Cape Town hosted a luncheon for the Highlanders on the occasion of their 125th birthday last year. They also have the Freedom of the City.
The Cape Town Highlanders can be seen this year at a sunset concert, which is taking place at the Castle of Good Hope at 19:00 on 18 and 19 November 2011. It will feature the South African Army Band Cape Town, and the Cape Field Artillery Pipes and Drums.
