This year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is themed ‘A Call to Gather’ and although the Royal Air Force is the lead service, British Army soldiers are still front and centre forming part of the Tattoo’s iconic massed pipes and drums.
The Massed Pipes and Drums of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.. The Tattoo performed its preview night in Edinburgh to a 8600 strong crowd.
Pipers and drummers from; The Queen’s Royal Hussars, The Royal Dragoon Guards, The Royal Irish Regiment, 10 Queens Own Logistic Gurkha Regiment, 152 (North Irish) Regiment Royal Logistic Corp and 154 (Scottish) Royal Logistic Corps, the Combined University Officers Training Corps, and the Royal Air Force will take part in 26 live performances on the world-famous Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
“It’s a huge responsibility but also a tremendous privilege. We’re expecting our Army pipers and drummers, to take part in a production that’s viewed live by 8,500 people every night and by millions around the world.”
They will join acts from all over the world, including The German Army Band Koblenz, New Zealand Army Band, the Qatar Police Academy Band and Drill Team and the United States Army Field Band.
Soldiers first, musicians second
Pipers and Drummers are an integral part of the British Army. They are trained as soldiers first and foremost - a testament of the versatility it takes to be part of this unique group. These soldiers take part in a 22-week training course at the prestigious Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming (ASBM and HD), which is in addition to their soldiering role.
“Bringing together pipers and drummers from across the Army is always a rewarding challenge."
When asked how daunting it can be for pipers and drummers to perform in a globally recognised event like the Tattoo, Major Ross McCrindle, the Director of Army Bagpipe Music said: “It’s a huge responsibility but also a tremendous privilege. We’re expecting our Army pipers and drummers, who have very busy primary role combat jobs, to take part in a production that’s viewed live by 8,500 people every night and by millions around the world.”
Preparing for the world stage
Rehearsals took place at Redford Cavalry Barracks, overseen by the Senior Pipe Major of the British Army, Warrant Officer Class One Peter Grant who said: “Bringing together pipers and drummers from across the Army is always a rewarding challenge. Many of these soldiers come from different cap badges, have different musical backgrounds and, most importantly, have demanding primary roles within their units.
“In just a short period of rehearsals, they must develop the precision, discipline and teamwork needed to perform as one cohesive band."
“In just a short period of rehearsals, they must develop the precision, discipline and teamwork needed to perform as one cohesive band.
“It is a privilege to prepare them for an event, not only representing the British Army but the United Kingdom to audiences from around the world.”
Many pipers and drummers from the ASBM and HD have progressed to high profile appointments such as Piper to the Sovereign.
“It is a privilege to prepare them for an event, not only representing the British Army but the United Kingdom to audiences from around the world.”
This year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo runs from 7 to 29 August. The first Tattoo took place in 1950. Since then, over 50 countries from across six continents have been represented. Her Royal Highness Princess Anne became Patron of the Tattoo in 2006, and the Royal title was bestowed by her mother, the late Queen, in 2010.
The British Army is recruiting right now to fill 10,000 jobs across the UK with more than 200 roles to choose from, covering everything from frontline combat and cyber security to helicopter pilots, chefs and support roles. If you’re aged 16 to 50 and if you want to find out more about a career in the Army, click Army Jobs website.
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