Massed Pipes & Drums

There is a great deal of Scottish history in Pinehurst, North Carolina; Moore County was settled by Highland Scotts and even golf course designer Donald Ross, hailed from Scotland. With this in mind, it is only fitting that the historic events in Pinehurst pay homage to our roots with a nod to an even greater tradition, of the Pipes and Drums. For the first time, Pinehurst will welcome over 100 pipers, drummers and highland dancers recreating a time honored tradition called the Massed Bands Tatoo.

On Saturday night at 8:30pm when the last ball falls in the cup on the golf course the village will hear the sound of a piper, much as it does every evening at dusk. Only this evening that single piper is just the beginning. Olmsted’s curved streetscape is the ideal setting to begin the procession of the pipes, each from a different spoke in the wheel. As the regiments march toward each other and to the Village Green you can hear the piper’s song, first from the right, then from the left as each corps plays a single verse.

As if the procession isn’t exciting enough, the entire compliment of musicians will fall into a military parade formation on the Village Green with all one hundred playing the familiar tune Scotland the Brave. The evening’s entertainment will continue with traditional Highland dancers, lively bagpipe music and perhaps even a visit from old Donald Ross himself. Of course, no Tattoo would be complete without the playing of Amazing Grace. This time, the lone piper only begins the tune. By the last verse, when the one-hundredth piper joins the song, you will feel as if Donald Ross, Scotland and the Old Course of Saint Andrews truly exists here in Pinehurst.

The word “Tattoo,” is derived from “tap toe” (“toe” is pronounced “too”), the Dutch for “last orders”. Translated literally, it means: “close the (beer) tap”. For Pinehurst, it is the close of the events on the Village Green before the final day of play for the U.S. Open.

This year Pinehurst will host four pipe and drum regiments:

Wake & District Public Safety Pipes and Drums. This group hails from Raleigh, NC and is comprised of a loyal group of public servants representing the police and fire departments.

Warpipes. Coming all the way from Roanoke, Virginia. This relatively new pipe band is turning bag piping on its side with some non-traditional piping coupled with outstanding, unique drumming.

Jamestown Pipe and Drum. Coming to us from deep in the Piedmont and the small town of Jamestown, NC the Jamestown Pipe and Drum band will be making their first trip to Pinehurst.

NC State Pipe and Drum. This group composed of students and alumni bring over 45 years of piping and drumming heritage with them.