Photos, Video: Black Watch Regiment Pipe Band

[Updated] The Pipe Band from the Black Watch Regiment of Scotland marched through the Black Watch Pass area today [Oct 22] to mark the rededication of a well dug by members of their military unit to help during a disastrous 1848 Yellow Fever outbreak.

The Black Watch Regiment — now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland as its 3rd Battalion — was based in Bermuda when a Yellow Fever epidemic broke out.

Members of the Regiment, among other fever relief activities, dug a well by today’s Ducking Stool Park on the North Shore.

It became known as the Black Watch Well and the nearby Pass through Mount Langton took its name from the Well and its military builders, when it was constructed in the 1930s.

The Well has not been in use for many years and its later status as a historic site also fell away as traffic flows made it difficult to visit and the Well’s remains began to show signs of neglect.

The construction of the new roundabout nearby will reopen easier pedestrian access to the Well, which has been restored and its surroundings re-landscaped.

The Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch are on island to participate in this week’s Bermuda Tattoo marking the 50th anniversary of the Royal Bermuda Regiment.

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Update 4.10pm: Speaking at today’s event, Minister of Public Works Craig Cannonier said, “It is with great pleasure that I welcome the pipes and drums of the Black Watch to Bermuda, to join in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bermuda Regiment.

“The presence of the pipes and band of the Black Watch here today illustrates just one link that exists between the past and the present.

“Bermuda has a rich and diverse historical and cultural heritage…that is why it’s important that significant historical landmarks such as Black Watch Well are preserved for future enjoyment, remembrance and appreciation of our shared past.

“This historic Black Watch Well has lain trapped and neglected between the two roads for a long time. I’m pleased that with the building of a new roundabout this landmark will be easier and safer for public access. Our Ministry team has been able to provide a new and improved setting for the Well where it can be better recognized and enjoyed.

“Improvement to Black Watch Pass junction has been an aspiration for many years; we are pleased to finally bring the scheme to fruition.

“While the improvement project is primarily focused on road safety, access and traffic flow, the scheme area also has additional environmental benefits:

• The scheme has given us the chance to reduce pollution from surface water discharged to the ocean from the road;
• Working with Belco, we’ve been able to get some of the overhead cables underground to improve the setting of the park and Government House;
• We will be providing a better car park for the Ducking Stool park and improving accessibility to the park with improved sidewalks, crosswalks and bus-stops

“I’d like to thank the Ministry teams from Works & Engineering, Parks, and Land Surveys Section for their work and sometimes long hours on the project.

“I know it has not been easy for them on a complex scheme and with resources being stretched by wall collapses around the Island, hurricane clean-up, and men retiring, but it is good to see the scheme nearing completion and I look forward to it being open in the next few weeks.

“Today we have marked a part of history that was established to assist residents. Now, future generations will have greater access and a safer environment for all Bermudians.”

Click to enlarge photos:

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