Kuwait celebrates The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

In recognition of the Amir’s 10th year since accession, as well as 55 years of Independence and 25 years since Liberation by coalition forces, the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland visited Kuwait from 17 - 27 February 2016 to perform musical program to celebrate this unique period of time. The Band is a part of the United Kingdom’s 51 Brigade, which is twinned with the GCC countries to provide training and support. It is therefore with great pleasure that the British Embassy Defense Section in conjunction with the UK Ministry of Defense has been able to organize the visit and celebrate the Kuwait/Britain bilateral relationship.

During their visit to Kuwait, the Band will play at numerous venues including: The British School Kuwait, the British Embassy, The Avenues, Al-Shaheed Park, the Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College and one or two other surprise venues.

The Band’s History

In 2006 the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland was established to supersede the Lowland and Highland bands of The Scottish Division. The role of the band is to support the Army and the State and Ceremonial occasions that occur in Scotland’s capital city and beyond. These engagements include Garden Parties for the Royal Family, state banquets and Guards of Honor at Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh and Stirling Castles and Balmoral.

In addition to concert and marching band, through the diverse skills of its musicians, the band are able to provide a wide range of musical variety encompassing pop and soul ensembles, folk and ceilidh groups, fanfare trumpets and various chamber ensembles. All members of the band are fulltime musicians but are also trained as soldiers: in 2003, many members of the band served their country in Iraq, working in support of 33 and 202 Field Hospitals. More recently in 2011 the band served in Afghanistan entertaining the troops over the Christmas period. They are conducted today by their Director of Music, Captain Tony Williams.