The Balmoral Highlanders march through a Sicilian town

A lot of well known pipers drummers and dancers do work for the Balmoral Highlanders run by Pipe Major Willie Cochrane (shown top right). I was able to join them on a film set in San Gimignano, Northern Italy (right). The film is Tea with Mussolini and stars Dame Judi Dench, Cher, Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright and is the life story of its Director, Franco Zeffirelli during the liberation of Italy at the end of WWII.

The Italian policeman in the middle had been our guide through the streets.

You can see the Balmoral Highlanders at the start of Michael Flattley's Feet of Flames video as well. In fact Willie Cochrane has done a lot of prestigious work over the years.

Ian Davidson, Stuart Davidson, Alistair Smith and Alastair Pether admiring the view of a Sicilian town that we had just marched through.

Over the years Willie and the Balmoral Highlanders have been seen by millions of people all over the world. TV shows, theatre performances (even ballet!), marches, weddings and State occasions, if you would like to hire the Balmoral Highlanders then email Willie Cochrane.

Pipe Major Willie Cochrane

Alastair with Chris Larkin
(Maggie Smith's son) on
the set of Tea with Mussolini

Maria Pether is one of many dancers with the band for shows, cabaret, etc.

The drummers perform the drum salute.

Wille Cochrane was also
the Dewars Highlander!