The uniform shown here is the Full Dress uniform of a Drummer Sergeant of the 48th Highlanders.
In Highland regiments like the 48th Highlanders of Canada, drums have served not merely as musical instruments but as vital tools of military communication and ceremonial tradition. Historically, drums regulated daily routines in camp—sounding reveille, assemblies, meals, and tattoo—and on the battlefield they relayed commands over the noise of combat. During advances or charges, drumbeats could direct troops to form lines, advance, or retire.
Types of Drums in a Highland Unit
Traditionally, Highland units use several types of drums:
- Side Drums (Snare Drums): The most recognizable, used for marching cadence and signals.
- Bass Drums: Large drums carried at the waist, providing a deep beat to anchor the rhythm.
- Tenor Drums: Mid-sized drums often beaten with soft beaters to enrich the ensemble.
In the later 19th and 20th centuries, pipe band configurations incorporated modern tenor and bass drums as part of ceremonial displays.