Alexandria Scottish Walk 2022

Roy Wulf was delighted to put on the uniform of a World War I Lovat Scout bagpiper and march with the Fraser Clan in the Alexandria Scottish Walk Christmas Parade on December 3, 2022!
In 1899, Simon 16th Lord Lovat raised the Lovat Scouts as a volunteer unit to fight in the Boer War. Their cap badge was the Fraser stag’s crest and their motto was the family’s own “Je suis prest.”
In WWI, they served on the Western Front, Gallipoli, and Macedonia. In WW II, they trained in Ski & Mountain warfare before serving in the Italian campaign.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

My compliments to your pipe instructor. I live about 40 minutes give or take from Guilford Courthouse National Military Park where the 71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser's Highlanders fought.

[@mr.roywulf]

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park is on my list of historical locations that I hope to visit at some point.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

@@mr.roywulf I hope to visit there in a few days. I always like to go around the 4th of July. I like walking the driving trail around the park. Much of it is wooded as it was at the time of the battle and you can imagine the fighting that went on in those woods.

[@mr.roywulf]

@@MarkWYoung-ky4uc I live near the Manassas Battlefield, and it is very well preserved from the time that the battles of First and Second Manassas were fought there. Unfortunately, there is a plan to build the largest data center complex on earth right next to the battlefield. I fear it will be very detrimental to the tranquility of the land there.

[@henry6644]

I live in Alexandria va I was also at this parade

[@mr.roywulf]

Very nice! You are the second guy I know who lives and Alexandria, who is interested in history and aviation, and who is named Henry! Good job with your videos by the way. Concerning the building of a Lego Bleriot 11, you probably already know about it, but there is a Bleriot 11 replica in the Military Aviation Museum down in Virginia Beach.

[@Ruz-T]

Cool are you from virginia

[@mr.roywulf]

It's a great place to be from for doing things that are historical and/or musical! Lots of opportunities for that around here!

[@mairiconnell6282]

Gosh I thought it was my home town Alexandria Scotland. Why? The Somme started on 1 July and this walk for what purpose is in December ended with Jingle Bells. I can't stop laughing. My grandfather before anyone starts was gassed at the Somme.

[@mr.roywulf]

To clarify ... This video was made at the Scottish-themed Christmas parade held each year in early December in Alexandria, Virginia. It's a Christmas event with Santa Claus and such, so Roy played Jingle Bells for that very small child you see in the video. Roy dresses as a Scottish bagpiper at certain events to help keep alive the memory of the many who perished in World War I. There is certainly much less awareness of the Great War in the United States than in Britain. Elsewhere on this channel there is a little video made on the 105th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme (before he assembled a more accurate uniform) as well as a little story about the Christmas Truce of 1914. These are just amateur filmmaking attempts, but the motivation has been to recall the sacrifice made by soldiers like your grandfather and many others, which we feel was so monumental. Happy New Year to you and those Alexandria, Scotland as well! Reply

[@mairiconnell6282]

@@mr.roywulf Thank you for your very gracious explanation. Perhaps a change of clothing would be appropriate. I appreciate your efforts and congratulations to all. Remember though we endured 1914-1918 starving and then 1939-1945 food rationing only ended in 1953 for The Queen’s Coronation. I am a Vet, my sons serve, their father served, both sets of Grandparents served and I could go on. Anyway he’s not a bad piper.

[@mr.roywulf]

@@mairiconnell6282 Thank you so much for your service and your family's service. No offense was intended. My son genuinely appreciates the history of the British military and only desires to honor the service of those who sacrificed in the past and who continue to serve today. The Fraser Clan here in the area asked Roy to march with them in his WWI uniform as a Lovat Scout as several of their members had ancestors in the Lovat Scouts. That said, it is also a Christmas event, so that's why some Christmas music was played alongside tunes from the Great War, such as "Lovat Scouts" and others. I can see how the video may have given the wrong impression. Have a very happy 2023!