Does "Balaclava Company" A&S Highlanders still have pipers?

[erracht]

One of my favorite Highland regiments, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (eventually downgraded from a regiment to the the 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland) was unfortunately reduced to one company for ceremonial duties, "Balaclava Company", in 2012. In videos of them on Youtube, they are seen on parade being led by the well-turned-out Pipes and Drums of the Highlanders (4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland) or by the military band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. But do they still have any pipers of their own?

[aboode]

5 SCOTS have not had a pipe band since 2013; Scott Methven was their last Pipe Major.
I had a look at the 2019 Journal of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the report on 5 SCOTS mentions that with the help of the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the combined pipes & drums of the 1st and 2nd Battalions the Regiment re-established its ceremonial reputation in London. It also mentions a successful Beating Retreat and Cocktail Party at Victoria Barracks, supported by the Ballater and District Pipe Band.
No mention of 5 SCOTS having any pipers.

[erracht]

Originally Posted by aboode

5 SCOTS have not had a pipe band since 2013; Scott Methven was their last Pipe Major.


...


No mention of 5 SCOTS having any pipers.

What a pity.

[Adam Sanderson]

There are the Balaklava Pipes and Drums, who are based at the 51st Highland Division T.A. in Stirling. They are a Regimental Association "volunteer" pipe band and play A&SHA engagements, Armed Forces Day, as well as on the esplanade of Stirling Castle throughout the summer.

The last time I saw the 5 SCOTS in the flesh, in the summer of last year, they were being led by the Pipes and Drums of the Highlanders, (4 SCOTS), which was more pleasing to the eye and ear.

[erracht]

Originally Posted by Adam Sanderson

There are the Balaklava Pipes and Drums, who are based at the 51st Highland Division T.A. in Stirling. They are a Regimental Association "volunteer" pipe band and play A&SHA engagements, Armed Forces Day, as well as on the esplanade of Stirling Castle throughout the summer.

The last time I saw the 5 SCOTS in the flesh, in the summer of last year, they were being led by the Pipes and Drums of the Highlanders, (4 SCOTS), which was more pleasing to the eye and ear.

Ah, yes. Now that's a well-turned-out pipe band if ever there was one. I love the P/M's beard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRdklLoEvjw

[pancelticpiper]

What I don't understand is since Balaclava Company was put on Civic Duties it seems obvious that they would need a Pipes & Drums.

[CalumII]

Originally Posted by pancelticpiper

What I don't understand is since Balaclava Company was put on Civic Duties it seems obvious that they would need a Pipes & Drums.

That I think was the original logic, but in practice I suspect it turned out they spent an awful lot of time without public engagements, which might be deemed inefficient. Not sure. I don't really know what their workload looks like.