October release date set for New Tattoo DVD

A new Edinburgh Tattoo DVD featuring highlights from this year’s popular 60th Castle Esplanade spectacular is due for international release on Monday, October 19th.

The 90-minute recording includes previously unseen footage of performers as distinctive and diverse as the She Huo cultural troupe from Edinburgh’s twin city of Xi’an in China, the South Sea Island magic of Tonga’s Royal Corps of Musicians, the Swiss Army’s elite military orchestra – the Central Band, and one of the world’s most sensational percussion groups, the Top Secret Drum Corps from Basel.

It also features the world-famous Massed Pipes & Drums, a multi-national Massed Highland Dance troupe, and the stirring music of the Massed Military Bands, which embraced the exceptional abilities of the Bands of the Royal Air Force and The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Plus, also included is footage of a special Burns 250th anniversary tribute presented by vocalists from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and Canada’s Calgary Burns Singers, which helped celebrate Scotland’s first ever year of Homecoming.

Tattoo Chief Executive & Producer, Major General Euan Loudon said: “The best moments from this summer’s popular production are captured on this new recording, which showcases some of Scotland’s finest heritage and culture alongside a number of colourful representations from overseas.”

The programme comes complete with musical favourites such as Scotland the Brave, The Black Bear and the powerful spiritual Amazing Grace, together with a specially commissioned composition entitled Tour of Duty by Runrig founder member and Scottish Traditional Composer of 2008, Blair Douglas.

Unreleased extras on the DVD includes a behind-the-scenes featurette focusing on activities beyond the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle, and a video news release, which provides a flavour of the rich variety on show at this year’s Military showpiece event.

The film of the 60th Tattoo was recorded for BBC Television by John Smith and includes the commentary of BBC Scotland Radio presenter Iain Anderson, while West Linton-based film production company, Electric Picture Machine, fashioned the extra material for the DVD.

Copies of the highlights from the 2009 Tattoo may be obtained on DVD from the Tattoo Shop, 33-34 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QB.  This recording, priced at £17.95 (plus P&P where applicable), can also be purchased via the internet at www.edintattoo.co.uk/tattoo-shop or from your local DVD retailer.