Tattoo link with Games
Historic link with military showcase
Top acts from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo are coming to the Strath capital for this year’s Crieff Highland Gathering.
It was announced this week that the New Zealand Army Band and the Nepal Army Band have been secured for the August 21 showpiece in Market Park.
Event chairman Ian Stewart said: “In bygone years, Crieff Games had a close association with the Tattoo and we are excited to see this link resume.”
Top acts from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo are coming to the Strath capital for this year’s Crieff Highland Gathering.
It was announced this week that the New Zealand Army Band and the Nepal Army Band have been secured for the August 21 showpiece in Market Park.
Reflecting on what’s regarded as a major coup for the organisers, event chairman Ian Stewart declared: “Just when you thought it impossible for the Games to get any bigger or better, we are delighted to announce two of the top acts from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be performing at Crieff Highland Gathering.
“In bygone years, Crieff Games had a close association with the Tattoo and we are excited to see this link resume.
“We owe a great deal of gratitude to our former chieftain and honorary patron, Brigadier Melville S. Jameson CBE, for his assistance in putting this together.
“Crieff will certainly be the place to be on August 21.”
The annual Gathering is one of the biggest highland games in Scotland and features a host of new and traditional events.
The Ryder Cup – one of the most iconic trophies in the world of sport – will also be on show this year.
The Games is also popular with Trainspotting star Ewan MacGregor and was praised by the actor during a recent television interview.
Asked about the historic event on the BBC’s One Show on Monday last week, Crieff-raised former chieftain Ewan said: “It’s a great Highland Games and there’s a heavyweight competition where you can see people tossing the caber and throwing the hammer.
“It’s a wonderful day out and brings the community together in Crieff – that’s what it’s there for.”
Local businessman Mr Stewart said all is in hand for the event, with around 70 ‘Gamesmakers’ recruited to help out on the day.
And he is delighted acts associated with the Edinburgh Tattoo will be returning after a gap of many years.
He said: “This is big news for Crieff and people have been asking if we could have them back for years now.”
The New Zealand Army Band is the country’s only band of its kind and has a reputation as a versatile and innovative music ensemble which is also recognised as one of the finest marching bands in the world.
The Nepal Army Band traces its history back to the First World War and comprises 314 members who perform an important role in Nepalese military music, with a primary focus of preserving cultural music and heritage.
The Gathering also features t raditional Highland Games competitions; the heavyweight, native heavyweight and light field Scottish championships – as well as athletics, cycling and tug o’ war contests.
Other traditional crowd-pleasers include the extensive programme of Highland dancing, stalls, a funfair and an array of pipe bands.
The Glenturret Music Tent is an increasingly popular part of the Gathering and this year features Philadelphia singer Charlie Zahm, folk act Breabach and experienced Highland music exponents Skipinnish.
A new attraction for this year is the Taste of Tartan food and drink marquee showcasing the best of Scottish fare.
Top chef Jason Henderson, of Knock Castle Hotel and Spa, will be serving up cookery demonstrations and samples.
The Ryder Cup will be on display in the arena under the watchful eye of chieftain David Murchie, Crieff Golf Club professional and chairman of the PGA.
Ian added: “It will be great to have the Ryder Cup on display and I think people will enjoy the chance to view it.
“We’ve also got a fantastic line-up for the music tent and with that, the traditional Highland games and the other events on offer it’s going to be a really big and exciting day.
“We’re also looking forward to having David as chieftain and have a great response from the public to him.
“And this year, we’ve got more pipe bands than ever so we’ll have a fantastic parade coming down the streets and playing in the arena.”
Doors open at 10.30am when the heavyweight events begin, while the Kilt Run – a one- mile tartan dash through the town which finishes in front of the chieftain at Market Park – starts at 10.45am.
All bands will begin by marching through the town in the Chieftain’s Parade around 11am before performing in the main arena throughout the day.
The event will be brought to a close with the spectacular sight of massed bands in the evening.
For more information and to buy tickets visit the website www. crieffhighlandgathering.com