Pipes, Drums, Dances: A Royal Fest

August 27, 2022

Previously I show you inside Edinburgh Castle and views from the battery overlooking the city.

Every year in August, the castle hosts the Royal Military Tattoo. A tattoo is a European term for a parade. In Edinburgh the event takes place on the esplanade before the castle, a space just slightly smaller than a football pitch. This year features and ensemble of various bagpipe and drum bands from all over the UK and as far away as Australia. They mass together and march down the esplanade. It was quite the spectacle and absolutely fantastic!

This year's theme of the Tattoo was "Voices." More than just Scottish music; the crowd was presented with  

The Massed Pipes and Drums

Bando Monumental de Mexico (Band and dancers - Aztec Warriors and Day of the Dead)

The United States Army Field Band and Singers

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Performers Highland Dancers

Top Secret Drum Corp of Switzerland

United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team

New Zealand Army Band

The Highland Divas (Traditional Scottish Gaellic singers  - pronounce it Gal-ick in Scotland)

Electro Pipes

The Massed UK Military Bands

Guard of Honour

Each presenting their own show, and at the end a grand finale featuring all of the performers together, with a final march up and down the grounds by the mass pipes and drums groups, and a fireworks display. 

It was amazing and highly recommened if you can get to Edinburgh in August!

Opening Fanfare

The Massed Pipes and Drums

Featuring:

2nd, 3rd , 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland Pipes and Drums

Combined Scottish Universities Officer's Training Corps Pipes and Drums

Royal Air Force Pipes and Drums

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums

The Crossed Swords Pipes and Drums

Brisbane Boys' College Pipes and Drums

Paris Port Dover Pipes and Drums

The Pipes and Drums of Christchurch City

The US Army Field Band, playing the White Strips. They also played a bit of "Cool" from West Side Story, and some of the women sang "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"

Bando Monumental de Mexico - Aztec Warriors

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Performers

Bando Monumental de Mexico - Day of the Dead

The Highland Divas

New Zealand Army Band

Electro Pipes

The Massed UK Military Bands

Finale - Full Cast

Fireworks and March Off

This entire performance was thoroughly enjoyable. I can't recommend it highly enough! Put it on your bucket list!

I've decided that Edinburgh Pub Crawl photos stay in Edinburgh. But let's just say, for an introvert like me, who doesn't really interact with people I don't know in bars in foreign lands (or even home lands), I had such a great time. I met and actually conversed with new, albeit temporary, friends from India, Canada, Zurich, Bristol (England), Tennessee, Nebraska, London, and probably a few more places. I surprised myself and somehow felt at ease with my companions in drink. 

We visited 6 pubs and dance clubs, received shots at each, shared a beer or two, on whomever's turn it was for the round at each. I played Song Bingo, but could never get that last square for the exciting prizes. (Totenham Hotspur hat anyone?). I met a couple of cool people Ellie and Kieran from Newcastle and could have talked more with them. 

Okay, okay, here are a few pictures. I relent!

By the way, the pub crawl was the first night in Edinburgh, if you want the proper timeline. I really all blended together anyway. 

A great time was had by all in all venues and restaurants.

Next we'll explore different art scenes from museums to streets, from Edinburgh to Glasgow.