The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada is Canada's Senior Highland Regiment. Formed in 1862, the unit earned distinction in the Boer War, WW I, WW II and Korea. During World War One, it was a piper's job to lead the Regiment into battle, often first 'over the top' to stand on the trench's edge to rally the troops to battle. Pipers even accompanied patrols behind enemy lines, where legend has it they would play Highland Laddie, the Regimental march past, before escaping back to their own trenches. It was the sights and sounds of these brave, kilted warriors that led the Germans to nickname the Black Watch: "The Ladies from Hell".Military Regiments live and die on the strength of their traditions and history. In the case of the Black Watch, the unit's tradition and history are embodied in the sounds, uniform and deportment of its Pipes and Drums. The Black Watch Pipes and Drums are the oldest organized pipe band in North America, and has, over the years, been consistently ranked among the top bands in the Canadian Forces and North America.

All members of the Regiment wear the distinctive red hackle. The Regiment wore the Red Hackle in its bonnets during its early days but, because of its legend as a battle honour, the Canadian units of the Black Watch did not wear the Red Hackle upon proceeding overseas during the First World War of 1914-1918. Due to the gallantry or the 13th Battalion CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) during the first gas attack in the Second Battle of the Ypres in 1915, and the three Canadian Battalions of the Black Watch in the Battle of Vimy Ridge during Easter in 1917. So impressed was the commander of the Imperial Black Watch, that an order was given to allow the Canadian regiment to wear the red hackle in the bonnet in place of the cap badge. The Canadian Black Watch are only one of two regiments in the Commonwealth who wear a battle honour in place of the cap badge. The other regiment of course being the Imperial Black Watch.

The Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch (RHR) of Canada are always in great demand, both locally in Montreal, and throughout North America and Europe. Members of the Pipes and Drums appear at over 350 engagements per year alone! The Pipes and Drums have appeared at many events over the years, including the Ed Sullivan Show, tattoos and highland games throughout North America, including Fort Ticonderoga New York, Maine, Miami, Kentucky and the Stone Mountain Highland Games and Tattoo in Atlanta, Georgia. The Black Watch have played at the U.S. Bicentennial Celebrations in 1976 and was the only foreign band to march in the parade celebrating the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, Members of the band have also participated in the Edinburgh Tattoo, the Nova Scotia Tattoo, and also supply pipers to the Band of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa.

The Regimental Dancers are pipers, drummers and soldiers who perform traditional Scottish dances which include the Highland Fling and the Sword Dance, which was a celebration dance over the capturing of the enemy's swords in a previous battle. In addition, the dancers perform the Argyle Broadswords which is a dance designed to entertain the troops.

Balhousie Castle - Perth, Scotland - 2000