IDENTICAL twins Sergeants James and Peter Muir grew up together, served on the frontline together and now they are performing together at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The musical duo, who are Pipe Major and Drum Major of the 3rd Battalion (3 SCOTS), share an unbreakable bond and give new meaning to the term ‘band of brothers.’
The 32-year-old siblings, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, who joined the Army on the same day, have served together in a dozen countries including Afghanistan, France, India, Jordan and Sweden.
But the brothers admit marching out onto the Castle Esplanade together at the Tattoo is a magical shared moment they will treasure forever.
Drum Major Peter, who has grown a beard so folk can tell them apart, said: “For the last 12 years this is the only job in the British Army I have wanted, and it makes it special to share the roles and responsibilities with my brother.
“We have done everything together and this is just another moment to share. From being on my first tattoo as a side drummer to leading the pipe band on the esplanade has been a brilliant journey, I will do the Battalion and the Regiment proud for my stint as Drum Major.”
Pipe Major James, who has played for the Queen at Balmoral, added: “It is always an honour to lead this band out anywhere as Pipe Major and I have enjoyed this on many occasions already but nothing will beat sharing the Esplanade with my brother, to put our own little mark in a Regiment and Battalion that is already in itself steeped in tradition and history.”
The brothers, who are based in Fort George Inverness, enlisted into the army on September 10, 2006, and joined the battalion’s Pipes and Drums.
James, who is engaged to fiancé Kirsty Archibald and has a 20-month-old daughter Lucy, said: “Peter was the driving force behind joining the Army as from a young age he was Army orientated and that was going to be his career path.
“My initial plan was to do four years, gain some life experience and then join the Police. This has now
turned into a full career that has allowed us both to see the world.
“Between us have served in more than 12 different countries, including in front-line operations on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.”
Peter, who has two sons - Lucas, four and Noah, 19 months with wife Stephanie, added: “James had always wanted to play the pipes growing up so he started to learn the chanter in 2008. He took to it like a duck to water and since 2015 he has been a bagpipe training corporal.
“I was encouraged to learn the drums and although I hadn’t considered it as an option, after I got my teeth into it, I realized I actually enjoyed playing it, from then on, I made it my goal to achieve Drum Major.
“Throughout our careers we have been fortunate to travel all over the globe with the band and as well as the tattoo one of the biggest highlights was doing a three-month concert tour of USA and Canada.”
The twins, who attended St Marie’s Primary and St Andrew’s High School in Kirkcaldy, have made their parents very proud.
Their mum Elizabeth said: “We are so proud of everything that James and Peter have achieved since joining the Army. They have worked so hard and have given their all. It was amazing a few years ago when we were able to watch them in their first Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as private soldiers.
“We will be bursting with pride this year when we watch them together, for the first time as Pipe Major and Drum Major. We can’t thank enough all of those who have supported them through their career.”
The Muirs are not the only brothers on parade at the Tattoo - Colour Sergeant Peter and Sergeant Ruaridh Grant will also be performing as Pipe Major and Drum Major with Catterick-based 4 SCOTS.
The siblings, of Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, joined the Army in 2005 and 2010 respectively and have served together in countries across the globe.
In April last year Peter had the honour of being the lone Piper at the funeral of HRH Prince Philip, who was Royal Colonel of 4 SCOTS.
