The Barren Rocks of Aden

The 78th Highlanders were stationed in Bombay in the mid 19th century and sent a detachment to garrison Aden, at the southern tip of Arabia. Military historian David Murray writes that Piper James Mauchline wrote the march there. Pipe Major Alexander McKellar of the same regiment claimed it too, insisting that every note, and the name, were his; he may have added a third part.

The first two parts suited the flute, so drum and fife corps took it up, and English regimental bands played it so often that they accused the pipers of stealing their tune. It is now one of the best known Scottish marches.