Historically, Louisiana’s culture has been dominated by both French and Spanish traditions. However, since achieving its status as the 18th state in 1812, Louisiana has continuously accumulated a wide variety of other cultures, including African, Creole and Native American. 
One culture that usually doesn’t come to mind when thinking of Louisiana is Scottish. Despite this assumed absence of a Scottish presence, Baton Rouge boasts a sizable society offering awareness and fortification of Louisiana’s Scottish heritage.
The Caledonian Society of Baton Rouge, formed in 1976, provides Louisianans with a perspective of their state’s culture which is significantly different than that of typical thought. The society comprises several boards and positions, which cater to specific facets of Scottish art and life. As a society associated with the city of Baton Rouge, the Caledonian Society looks to bring its message of culture and intrigue to all corners of the metropolis, one kilt at a time.
Milt Westmoreland, the society’s president, calls the Caledonian Society’s pipe band the “most visible [group].” Performing at Baton Rouge parades and other events, the pipe band represents both Scottish art and aesthetic. Alongside the band, the society maintains a group known as a coterie, which aids in genealogical studies and cultural education. 
Westmoreland said the Caledonian Society’s membership is relative to Baton Rouge’s size and around 50 to 60 members of varying ages. As far as societal requirements, the group is open to any and all people interested in being a part of the intrigue toward Scottish background. 
“Obviously if you are a Scottish-American, that helps,” Westmoreland said. “But anybody that’s interested in Scottish history, Scottish culture … It is open membership. You don’t have to be a Scot. Being in a diverse area like south Louisiana, you’ll notice maybe some Cajun accents mixed the Scottish brogue.”
The Caledonian Society’s pipe band is considered by Westmoreland to essentially be the face of the group. Effectively, the band is a vibrant personification of Scottish presence in Baton Rouge.
For nearly 13 years, Stan Masinter has led the band as pipe major in its mission to bring Scottish music to Baton Rouge.
In his long run as major, Masinter has looked to strengthen his community’s closeness through the band. 
“We want to continue our mission … To support civic activities that are positive such as law enforcement events, firefighters, veterans charities and so on,” Masinter said. Though deeply rooted in traditional style, the pipe band’s members listen to a range of artists outside of their realm to widen the scope of their expertise. 
“We listen to all kinds of music,” Masinter said. “Music is music. We’re listening for harmonies … so that we can create the same feel that other types of music and other bands have. Some adaptations that we do reflect the local color like ‘When the Saints Go Marching In.’ We’re working on the LSU pregame.” 
As a result of Masinter, the pipe band and the Caledonian Society itself, pipe playing has grown into a newly realized opportunity for Baton Rouge’s already miscellaneous offshoots of musicianship. 
“In those 38 years, it started essentially with one piper,” Masinter said. “Now in Baton Rouge, there are probably over 30 pipers. We’re always interested in teaching any person, young or old, who’s interested in how to play either the pipes or the drums.” 
Of the society’s many components, the broadsword team is one of the most historical. Established out of Scotland’s long-time reputation of military dynamism, the Caledonian Broadsword Academy of Baton Rouge contains a team of students trained in the ancient art of broadsword fighting. The academy’s leader, James Mungall, started the academy in 2009. He said he sees broadsword as a martial art with significance in both history and skill. 
“Broadsword is under the category of historical European martial arts, referred to as HEMA,” Mungall said. “We study the historical use of the Highland broadsword from historical manuals and through actual practice and experience. Scotland has a long and proud martial culture. If you look at ‘Braveheart’ or Rob Roy [MacGregor], most of the time when you’re talking about Scotland’s history, you’re talking about fighting of some sort.”
Historically speaking, Mungall’s academy members focus specifically on the later part of Scotland’s martial reputation. A time characterized by the relationship between Scotland and Britain, which stirred continuous military force out of Scotland. 
“Most of what we’re doing is from the 18th century,” Mungall said. “In a lot of these planned feuds and planned battles, we are using … a style that they would have been familiar with. Also, particularly during the expansion of the British Empire, the Scots were really … some of the last foot soldiers to give up their swords and retain the firearm.” 
Of the society’s many annual events, Westmoreland placed emphasis on the Baton Rouge Highland Games, a two-day occasion focusing on Scottish culture’s many features including pipe playing, dance and broadsword             prowess. 
The Highland Games have been on hiatus for several years but are expected to return to Baton Rouge in 2015. 

Gallery • 4 Photos

Raegan Labat

Members of the Baton Rouge Caledonian Pipes and Drums (left to right), Stan Masinter, Rosemary John, Thomas Martin and Ellis Jackson, perform Saturday, October 11 outside the PMAC.