Music, Colour, Pageantry and Action

The world’s most spectacular Military Tattoo will next year host a plethora of talent from as far afield as Scandinavia, the Middle East, North America, Europe and the Antipodes, as over 1200 performers come together to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th year under the theme of Tunes of Glory.

This will be the 67th Tattoo to be staged at the Scottish Capital’s ancient castle, an inspiring backcloth for the internationally acclaimed event. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has now sold out for 17 successive seasons - an extraordinary 220,000-strong audience over 25 performances in August each year.

The line-up of performers for 2016 includes massed pipers, drummers, fiddlers, singers and dancers along with other featured acts from home and abroad.

This coming summer the emphasis is once again on music, movement and pageantry, supported by cutting edge technology, lighting sound and projections. The show will chart the rich history of military music, both on the battlefield and in peace, from the earliest times to the present day.

Tattoo Chief Executive and Producer, Brigadier David Allfrey, said: “We are hugely excited at what lies ahead. We are developing a remarkable score with some of the finest performers in the world. It is such a privilege. There will be a strong heritage texture to the Show, not just celebrating our Nation’s Armed Forces and their musical pedigree but also celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th year - a brilliant combination which provides us with a perfect excuse to bring together the best of our military musicians and those of some longstanding friends and allies. The Tattoo always delivers huge colour and pace but I sense this coming year we will hit a new height.”

Show-stopping turns are expected from the King’s Guard of Norway, while the Imps from London’s Docklands are set to provide a thrilling motorcycle display performed at breath-taking speed.

Antipodean attractions are also on parade with the internationally acclaimed New Zealand Army Band, who will be accompanied by the all-girl Lochiel Marching Drill Team.

Once again, some of the finest highland dancers in the world come together in beautiful massed displays while Shetland’s fiddle players, ‘Hjaltibonhoga’, bring their special magic to Edinburgh.

As always, the 100-minute programme will include the famous Massed Pipes and Drums, the Massed Military Bands and the famous Lone Piper, playing high on the Castle battlements above the parade ground. Among the many bands taking part will be The Band of The Household Cavalry, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, The Royal Regiment of Scotland and The Royal Irish Regiment.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which is set-up and run for charitable purposes, is grateful to official partner, the Royal Bank of Scotland, for its continued support. Malcolm Buchanan, Chair of the Bank's Scotland Board said: "The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an iconic event firmly rooted in the fabric of Scotland. The Royal Bank of Scotland are proud to support all of the fantastic activity the Tattoo does to support both traditional music and dance in Scotland, and the important economic benefit and global profile it brings to our country.”

Next year’s production takes place nightly, Monday to Friday, at 9pm with two performances on a Saturday at 7.30pm and 10.30pm. Tickets for the 2016 Tattoo (5-27 August), priced £25.00 to £70.00, will be available for sale online at www.edintattoo.co.uk or by telephone on 0131 225 1188 from 10am on Tuesday, December 1st 2015.