Edinburgh and London (My Travels)
... Royal Air Force - and then the real Tattoo, as I’ve always imagined it: while the sun is setting, a huge massed band of pipes and drums comes out from the Castle’s gate and slowly parades in the esplanade, playing a rich medley of Scottish songs.
The Tattoo mixes performances of pipes and drums with exhibitions of foreign military bands and of Scottish folk groups: thus a first interlude shows the Royal Corps of Tonga, some Burns’ vocals, and an enliven act by the Chinese She Huo cultural troupe.
Then pipes and drums again perform a selection of Scottish traditional tunes, and a second interlude shows the Swiss Army band, massed highland dancers, drums percussions, and a performance by the RAF band.
About two hours have passed, and the military bands now gather with massed pipes and drums to play a touching ‘Going Home’ and then ‘Amazing Grace’. After them the Finale, including the ‘National Anthem’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’, and the Tattoo is over: all musicians leave the esplanade, with pipes and drums marching out playing a classic Scottish Medley, while fireworks light up the sky above the Castle.
It has been a superb show, and I go back to my hotel persuaded that this trip to Edinburgh has exceeded my most optimistic expectations.
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