Edinburgh Tattoo (military display outside Edinburgh Castle)

In 2010 the Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be performed each evening (except Sundays) from Friday 6 August until Saturday 28 August.

The photos below were taken at the 2006 event.

Seats are set up on three sides of the esplanade

The event is usually a sell-out

MASSED PIPES AND DRUMS

The 2006 event began with the arrival of the Massed Pipes and Drums. The "pipes" are bagpipes: the traditional musical instrument of Scotland. The pipers came not only from Scotland but also from Ireland, Nepal, South Africa and Australia.

WATOTO CHILDREN'S CHOIR

Watoto Children's Choir are from Uganda (in East Africa). Watoto is an organisation which cares for children who have lost one or both of their parents because of AIDS or war. The choir sang twice during the evening: the second performance was the song "Can you feel the love tonight?" from the film/musical "The Lion King".

40 children came from Africa to perform at the tattoo

The choir sing "Can you feel the love tonight?"

GURKHAS

The Gurkhas are members of the British army recruited from Nepal. The Band and Pipes and Drums of the Royal Gurkha Regiment performed Accelerando.

Gurkhas

MASSED HIGHLAND DANCERS

Highland dancing is a traditional form of Scottish dance (originating in the Highlands in northern Scotland). The Edinburgh Military Tattoo Highland Spring Dancers were joined by the Highland Dancers from South Africa. Below you can see them taking part in a pretend battle, in which the South Africans have surrounded the Scots.

Highland dancers

NEW ZEALAND ARMY BAND

The New Zealand Army Band contains both brass and rhythm sections.

The New Zealand Army Band in one of their more traditional moments ...

... and here showing more originality (performing a Maori dance)

KUNG FU GROUP

The Jiangxi Xishan International School Kung Fu Group are from China. They performed a display of martial arts.

CHILE

The Concert Band of the Army of Chile were joined by the Evendart Artistic Company, a group of professional musicians and dancers who base their performances on Chilean folklore.

TOP SECRET DRUM CORPS

The Top Secret Drum Corps come from Basel in Switzerland. Their skilful use of flags and drumsticks were particularly popular with the spectators.

TRIBUTE TO THE SCOTTISH SOLDIER

The Massed Military Bands performed a special tribute to the Scottish soldier. This showed the role performed through the years by Scottish soldiers in the British army. At the end a large saltire (the Scottish national flag: a white Saint Andrew's cross on a blue background) was unfolded and its image was also projected onto the walls of the castle.

FINALE

All of the performers returned for the finale. At the front were the Guard of Honour, which in 2006 were soldiers from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

At the end of the each late night performance on Saturday evening there was a firework display, lighting up the sky above the castle.

This event was attended by a member of the Royal Family, so the audience stood up while the National Anthem was played.
This was followed by Auld Lang Syne, a verse written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns which is often sung at the end of meetings, after which people go their separate ways:

Auld Lang Syne (by Robert Burns)
First verse:	Translation:
Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot And days o' lang syne?	Should old friends be forgotten And never remembered? Should old friends be forgotten And the days they shared together?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my Dear For auld lang syne We'll tak a cup o kindness yet For auld lang syne	For days now in the past, my dear For days now in the past We'll drink a toast of kind remembrance For days now in the past

A Lone Piper stood on the castle wall and played the Highland Cradle Song on his bagpipes.

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MARCH OUT

At the end the performers marched out, playing a range of rousing tunes including Scotland the Brave.

Tickets for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo can be bought:
- online: click here
- from the Tattoo Office, 32 Market Street, Edinburgh (telephone: +44 (0)8707 555 118; map). This is close to the main exit for Edinburgh Waverley train station.

At any time of the year visitors to Edinburgh can see a free exhibition called The Spirit of the Tattoo at 555 Castlehill, Edinburgh (map). This is close to the entrance to Edinburgh Castle, at the top of the Royal Mile.

The following are some of the souvenirs which you can buy for the tattoo (you can buy these online or at the Tattoo Office):

	Music CDs: Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2006 Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2005 Edinburgh Military Tattoo Tribute To buy these see: Tattoo Shop (CDs)		DVDs: Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2006 Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2005 Spirit of the Tattoo To buy these see: Tattoo Shop (DVDs)
	Books: Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Mar 2006)

Highlights of the tattoo are usually shown on BBC television on the final day of the event.

The official website for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk

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Photos from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo