Our Origins

Highland Watchers Pipes and Drums was founded by a group of veterans and passionate musicians aiming to preserve Scottish tradition and values from battlefield to civilan life.

Spiritual Godfather are MacKidd family from MacKenzie Seaforth Highlanders clan, mainly : Bill, Nancy and Joanna. Swiss local Amassadors living in France are : Mark & Francine PERRIER.

Mark & Francine stayed loyal to christian Royal Crown of United Kingdom, specially to Ma'am memories.

We are a Scottish Pipe Band but also a fellowship of military veterans, firefighters, police officers, and civilians who honor the flags under which they served.

Drawing from the historical spirit of freedom fighters and from the solidarity of the Highlands, our band embodies a profound respect for memory, brotherhood, and music.

'Love and respect our culture and that will be a honour for us you wear our Tartan', Bill McKidd, Lonach Gatherin, 2015.

Our journey began in Wallis (Swiss) then Burgundy (France), but now our spirit transcends borders.

Founders' Vision

• Be loyal to the British Crown & Scottish clan, honour and respect HM Queen Elizabeth II memories & values.
• Maintain the spirit of comradeship and perpetuate the memory of those who served for freedom through the tradition of Scottish Pipes and Drums.
• Honor the legacy of veterans, fallens, missings, former soldiers and freedom defenders.
• Promote Scottish musical and cultural heritage.
• Foster brotherhood through music and events.

To go further : Corporal Mark Perrier Former soldier regimental history.

1. History of the 4th Regiment of Command and Manoeuvre Helicopters (4e RHCM)

• The 4th Regiment of Command and Manoeuvre Helicopters (4e RHCM) was a unit of the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT), stationed at Essey-lès-Nancy.
• Created on July 1, 1985, it was disbanded on June 30, 1999.
• Origins and mission
• The 4e RHCM inherited the traditions of the 4th Transport Battalion, originally founded by Napoleon I in 1807.
• It belonged to the 4th Airmobile Division (DAM), part of the Rapid Action Force (FAR), designed to quickly project forces to distant theatres of operations.
• The regiment’s primary mission was command, support, and airmobile manoeuvre, with a rapid and autonomous deployment capacity.
• Equipment and structure
• The 4e RHCM was one of the largest ALAT regiments in terms of personnel and equipment.
• It operated a wide fleet including light Gazelle helicopters, Puma SA 330, and AS 532 Cougar transport helicopters.
• The regiment was spread across multiple sites: light helicopters at Essey-lès-Nancy, manoeuvre helicopters at Phalsbourg, and a Puma flight also based at Pau.
• Operational engagements
• The 4e RHCM participated in several overseas operations.
• In August 1990, elements of the regiment were deployed to the Gulf for Operation Daguet, with 155 personnel and 13 Puma helicopters engaged.
• The 3rd Squadron was awarded the Croix de la Valeur Militaire for its actions.
• Legacy and dissolution
• The regiment was disbanded on June 30, 1999, as part of the Army restructuring.
• Its traditions were passed on to the 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment (4e RHFS), established in 1997, which today specialises in special operations with a powerful multi-role helicopter fleet.
• Motto and honours
• The regiment’s motto was "Te ipsum vincere" ("You must conquer yourself").
• Its flag bears the battle honour "ITALIE 1944", referring to its ancestor units' participation in the Italian Campaign during WWII.
• The 4e RHCM left a strong mark on ALAT history for its operational achievements and its role in developing the French Army's airmobile capabilities.

2. History of the 4th Division Airmobile Signals Company (4e CTDAM)

• The 4th Division Airmobile Signals Company (4e CTDAM) was an essential component of the 4e RHCM, playing a key role in the French Army’s airmobile operations.
• Origins and mission
• The 4e CTDAM traces its roots to the 88/84 Mixed Signals Company, created in 1943 in Marrakech as part of the Moroccan Mountain Division.
• It later evolved into the Divisional Signals Company (CTD) of the 4e RHCM, created in Nancy along with the Airmobile Division.
• Equipped with the RITA system, its main mission was to ensure communications between the airmobile division command posts and the Rapid Action Force (FAR) HQs.
• Evolution and legacy
• During the Army restructuring in the late 1990s, the Airmobile Division became the Airmobile Brigade.
• The 4e RHCM was disbanded on June 30, 1999, and the CTD became the Command and Signals Company (CCT) attached to the Airmobile Brigade.
• This company was disbanded in 2010, then reactivated in 2016 in Clermont-Ferrand as part of the Army's reorganisation plan.
• In 2019, it was renamed Airmobile Command and Signals Company (CCTA).
• Symbols and traditions
• The unit's personnel wear the blue beret of the French Army Light Aviation, featuring the Signals insignia, reflecting their dual identity as part of both the Signals Corps and ALAT.
• Their motto, "Te ipsum vincere" ("You must conquer yourself"), symbolises discipline and self-mastery.
• The 4e CTDAM made a significant contribution to ALAT's operational success and the development of the French Army's airmobile capabilities.