Navy-themed Royal Tattoo set to make a big splash
EDINBURGH Castle’s esplanade will be transformed into an aircraft carrier flight deck as this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo puts the Royal Navy centre stage.
The finale of the world-renowned spectacle will feature a Lynx Mk III maritime aircraft and a CGI projection on to the castle walls of an aircraft taking off from the deck.
The display is in recognition of 2017 being the Year of the Royal Navy, as well as Scotland’s role in building UK warships, the Ministry of Defence said.
Overall, hundreds of sailors and marines are set to star in the Tattoo, which is returning for its 68th season.
The Royal Navy will be further represented in the show by the massed bands of HM Royal Marines, and a 24-strong Royal Navy Guard of Honour will also welcome the audience to the castle every night.
In total, Armed Forces musicians will make up a cast of 1,200 performing to a live audience of 220,000 and a global TV audience of more than 100 million over the course of the Tattoo’s August run.
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.”
The Tattoo will run from August 4 to 26.