Highland Military Tattoo scrapped by board

THE HIGHLAND Military Tattoo at Fort George has been cancelled following poor attendances and a ‘risky financial situation’, writes Neill Bo Finlayson.

The event’s board announced on Tuesday it has decided not to hold another tattoo, despite it attracting more than 6,000 visitors this year.

In a statement, the board said: ‘Despite tremendous praise for the event again this year, the board are in full agreement that another year of low attendance rates, the likelihood of increased costs for Ministry of Defence support and the tattoo’s risky financial situation make it unsustainable.’

The event attracted 6,174 visitors this year, 843 more than in 2016, but was still well short of the 8,000 target.

Although the tattoo recorded small losses in each of its first three years, the 2017 event made a larger loss as ticket sales fell short and grants and donations could not fully cover the cost.

Previous years at the Highland Military Tattoo have included performances from military bands, RAF displays and traditional Scottish dancing and civilian pipe bands.

The tattoo’s director, Major General Seymour Monro, said: ‘We have delivered this authentic, high quality performance for four years but we have come to the sad conclusion it is not sustainable, even though we have received a new, generous funding offer from Historic Environment Scotland. Simply put, we needed more bums on seats and more sponsorship, including a headline sponsor.’

General Monro added that although the tattoo aims to support the armed forces and their charities, Ministry of Defence charges are likely to increase significantly in 2018 and beyond.

‘The directors cannot go on shouldering the financial losses and I have nothing but praise for what the team have achieved. We are all enormously grateful to the many performers – especially the younger ones – who have produced really professional shows. And praise, too, for all our excellent contractors without whom the tattoos would not have happened and huge thanks to our generous supporters.’

Highland Council has since responded to the news. Provost Helen Carmichael said: ‘While we respect the decision of the board of directors of the Highland Military Tattoo, this is very sad news for the Highlands.’