The Scots Guards were originally formed in 1642 by King Charles. The precise origins of the band are unknown, however in 1716 a small band of 'hautboys' existed.

The band grew in strength during the early part of the 19th century, and by 1838 could boast some 32 performers. Throughout the 19th century the band expanded, until in 1888 there was an establishment of 44.

During 1916 they entertained troops at both Ypres and the Somme. During World War II they were again entertaining troops on the home front. This was sometimes through the medium of wireless, an example of this being March 18, 1942, when at 1am the band reported for a BBC Overseas broadcast at the Paris Cinema. Musicians also found themselves on Fire Watch duties based at Egerton House, Buckingham Gate.

The Scots Guards were the only Foot Guards Band to be deployed on active service during the Gulf War in 1990 (with three of their colleagues from the Irish Guards Band). Many different aspects of hospital duties attached to the various departments of 33 General Hospital based in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia were involved in their work there. In 1992, the Colonel of the Regiment, HRH The Duke of Kent presented the band their Gulf War medals, which are still worn by their owners today.

The band played at the handover ceremony in Hong Kong in 1997, and completed an extensive 10 week tour of the USA and Canada in early 1998. In February and March 2000, they performed at concerts in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, before travelling on to Wellington, New Zealand to take part in the first ever performance of the Edinburgh Tattoo abroad.

The band visited Brisbane again in October 2000 to participate in the Brisbane Festival 2000 International Military Tattoo.

In recent years the band has travelled far and wide, including; France, Italy, Germany, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, Kenya, South Korea and Australia as well as performing coast to coast across the United Kingdom in both a concert band and a marching band capacity.