Royal Navy stars in Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Hundreds of sailors and marines are set to star in the world renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which takes place on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle from 4-26 August 2017.

Returning for a 68th season, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a thrilling display of music, dance and military entertainment from around the world, rooted firmly in Scottish culture and history.

In recognition of this being the Year of the Royal Navy, and Scotland’s unique role in building UK warships, the finale will see the Esplanade transformed into an aircraft carrier flight deck, featuring a Lynx Mk III maritime aircraft, and an CGI projection onto the Castle walls of an aircraft taking off from the deck.

As the audience arrives they will also walk under a life-sized model of the new F-35B fighter, with Royal Navy personnel providing a warm welcome too.

The Royal Navy will be represented in the show by:

• The Massed Bands of HM Royal Marines (Portsmouth, Scotland and Commando Training Centre)
• There will be a 24 strong Royal Navy Guard of Honour welcoming the audience every night
• The 90 strong Royal Navy and Royal Marines Tattoo Support Group have taken the lead in making the arrangements for the involvement of the UK Armed Forces this year
• Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset will berth in Leith for the last week of the Tattoo and host a number of capability demonstrations
  

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said, “The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo represents all that is best in the UK’s Armed Forces – talented, professional, and engaging internationally with our global allies.

“This Tattoo helps showcase our Armed Forces and has raised over £10m through its Charitable Trust, and it contributes £77m a year to the Scottish economy.”

Celebrating the theme ‘Splash of Tartan’, these Armed Forces musicians will make up a cast of 1,200 artists performing to a live audience of 220,000, and a global TV audience of more than 100 million.

Performers from 48 countries have taken part in the extravaganza with this year’s top international acts including the United States Naval Forces Europe Band and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force Central Band.