Crowds lined the streets of Dingwall yesterday to enjoy a masterclass of military music.
The town’s High Street was buzzing as onlookers experienced the Beating of the Retreat by the massed pipes and drums of the Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and Sea Cadets Corps.
Now in its 11th year, the first Beat the Retreat event took place in Dingwall in April 2006 and has become a firm favourite in the town’s annual event calendar.
Cadets from all over the UK every year arrive for tuition at Cameron Barracks in Inverness.
The barracks in the Highland capital were the traditional home of military piping, with the first Army classes run by the Piobaireachd Society there in 1910.
When looking for a location to run the piping and drumming concentration for the cadets about 16 years ago, it seemed fitting for the organisers to return to Inverness to run the workshops.
The annual event has since gone from strength to strength.
At the end of their week’s tuition in Inverness, the cadets are given the opportunity to show off their skills with the public showcase in Dingwall.
Major Ross Munro, national cadet piping and drumming executive officer, said it had been an enjoyable occasion.
“After a week of intensive instruction it is great for the cadets to get the chance to put what they have learned into practice and to entertain the public at the same time,” he said.
The cadets marched off from the Army Cadet Centre on Ferry Road at 2.30pm before heading along Dingwall High Street.
They massed outside the Royal British Legion where the salute was taken by the Depute Lord Lieutenant, Mr David Lockett.
The cadets then entertained onlookers with a retreat programme.
About 300 cadets from the three services across the UK are currently involved in piping and drumming.
Their show will arrive on stage tonight with a special concert at the Inverness Ironworks venue, with doors opening at 7pm.
