International dancers and musicians will join members of the British Armed Forces at this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
An incredible 800 dancers and musicians will take part in this year’s world-famous military show to be staged on the magnificent Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. It will showcase musical performances and acts from around the world including the United States of America, Australia, Canada, India and Switzerland.
The 74th Tattoo runs from the 2 to 23 August and this year’s theme Journeys will celebrate the journey of connection through music, dance, culture and military traditions.
One of the world’s leading military bands, The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes, from South Carolina in the USA will also join this year’s Massed Pipes and Drums.
The Massed Pipes and Drums is made up of more than 230 pipers and drummers, including the Pipes and Drums of 1st Battalion Irish Guards, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, The Royal Gurkha Rifles and the Combined Pipes and Drums of the Royal Tank Regiment and the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry. The military bands will be supported by fellow pipers and drummers and military musicians from around the world.
The Combined Pipes and Drums of the Royal Tank regiment and Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry has been formed especially for this year’s Tattoo. The pipers and drummers from both Regiments have a rich history dating back centuries.
The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry is a light cavalry regiment and uses the Jackal light armoured vehicle. Its reconnaissance role requires it to work ahead of other friendly forces, gathering intelligence on the enemy and the local environment. The gathered information is sent back to commanders to help tactical decision-making.
The Royal Tank Regiment is the oldest tank unit in the world. Its arsenal includes the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the Bulldog 2 Armoured Personnel Carrier.
The Tattoo will start with a Fanfare by 21 Royal Navy trumpeters followed by the rousing sounds of The Massed Pipes and Drums as they march across Edinburgh Castle’s historic drawbridge to the Esplanade.
The Majesticks Drum Corps from Switzerland will showcase a performance including precision drill and Teamwork Arts India, including the Rajasthani Bagpiper, The Bhangra Queens and the Bollywood Ensemble, will also perform.
Over 230,000 people are expected to enjoy the show as well as viewers tuning in to watch on television around the globe.
As night falls over Edinburgh Castle, each evening’s performance will end with a dramatic rousing finale when the National Anthem will be performed by The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines.
The Lone Piper will mark the close of festivities with a performance of Guth a’ Phiobaire, composed by Major Stevie Small MBE.
The first Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo took place in 1950. Since then, over 50 countries from across six continents have been represented at the Tattoo. Her Royal Highness Princess Anne became Patron of the Tattoo in 2006 and the Royal title was bestowed by the Late Her Majesty The Queen in 2010.