Tattoo Grandstand work underway as Scottish Government confirms support for project

Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP today announced that the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise have agreed to help part-fund the Edinburgh Tattoo’s £16 million Castle Esplanade replacement grandstand project to the tune of £3 million.

Culture Minister, Fiona Hyslop MSP said: “Edinburgh's spectacular and world-renowned Military Tattoo, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, raises the international profile of Scotland, showcasing our creative talent and bringing significant economic benefits to the Capital and Scotland as a whole.

This funding – from the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise – will reinvigorate the Tattoo, providing a new and improved arena for spectators and performers alike which will further enhance our reputation, maintaining Edinburgh's position as the world's pre-eminent festival city.”

This sum matches the £3 million already set aside for the new development by the City of Edinburgh Council, who have also secured a preferential low-interest £6 million loan arrangement on behalf of the Tattoo.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Chair of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, The Rt. Hon. George Grubb remarked: “The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, delighting thousands of local and international spectators every summer. The Council was pleased to be able to contribute towards the new arena and it is very exciting to see work now getting underway.”

The additional £4 million funding required for the new arena, which is expected to be in place for the summer of 2011, will come from Tattoo revenues.

“We are delighted that the Scottish Government has now confirmed its financial commitment to the new stands project, which I’m happy to report is proceeding apace,” commented Tattoo Chief Executive and Producer, Major General Euan Loudon.

“We would also like to acknowledge the support received from The City of Edinburgh Council with this imaginative new development, which we aim to deliver for our August 2011 Tattoo production,” he concluded.

Linda McPherson, regional director at Scottish Enterprise said, “The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of Scotland’s largest tourism opportunities, attracting 80% of its 220,000 annual audience from outwith Scotland, and generating tens of millions for the Scottish economy each year. As well as the direct benefits the event brings, it plays a huge role in marketing Scotland globally through television coverage in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and China.”

Providing modern seating accommodation, improved corporate hospitality facilities, and superior rest and retail areas, the new facility, which will also reduce the time it currently takes to erect and dismantle the stands, will offer an enhanced experience for both spectators and performers.

It will replace the existing 35-year old, award-winning Tattoo grandstands which were based on the innovative Mero system used for Germany’s 1972 Munich Olympics.

This new venture is also expected to help meet Edinburgh’s longer-term entertainment needs, which would significantly increase the £500 million generated by the Edinburgh Tattoo for the country’s economy over the last decade.

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For further information, please contact:
The Tattoo Office, 32 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QB,
Tel: 0131 225 4783, Fax: 0131-225 8627, Web. www.edintattoo.co.uk