The Rose & Thistle Pipes and Drums had the honour of playing at Portsmouth Armed Forces Day, held on Southsea Common.
This is a special event for the band, as many members are ex‑services, ranging from Scots Guards, Falklands veterans, Royal Marines, and both serving and veteran personnel of the Royal Navy.

The band played several sets in the main arena, along with some impromptu numbers by the Rose & Thistle marquee, where members of the public had the opportunity to try on kilts and have a go at the bagpipes and drums.

At 11:43, the band joined everyone on Southsea Common as an Airbus satellite passed overhead, capturing the crowd gathered to form a giant “100”—a unique moment in Portsmouth’s history.

We were also treated to an extra highlight when we were joined by the Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band, performing a number of joint sets that were greatly enjoyed by all. A big thank you to Hampshire Cal for joining us and helping make it a truly fantastic event.