During their first visit to Scotland, in 1842, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert stayed with the Marquis of Breadalbane at Taymouth Castle. There, it was customary for pipers to play during meals. The couple took such a liking to this that the Queen wrote to her mother declaring her intention to have her own piper. True to her word, Queen Victoria engaged Angus Mackay the following year and he acted as piper until he became ill in 1853. William Ross (left) took over the role in 1854 and remained Queen's piper until 1883. The Queen remarked that 'his well known stout figure, white hair and beard, gave him a presence, which looked so well as Royal Piper.' Other members of the Royal Family followed Queen Victoria's example. The two other pipers pictured, C. Cameron (middle) and William MacDonald (right), were employed by her two eldest sons.