Direct from Charlie Martin…

Well, I’m down to the final three performances so will pass on a couple more pictures.

Here are some pictures of me in front of the Scottish National War Memorial at the top of Edinburgh Castle.  A very moving place to visit if you have a chance and housing books of remembrance from wars past.

The Pipes & Drums of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT) forms three files of the 12 that make up the massed pipes and drums.  My file is flanked by the 1st Batt. Scots Guards and the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

The Pipes & Drums of the REMT is a civilian band (though many have military experience) that has representation of 16 countries from around the world.  Quite a testament to how piping is now an international phenomena. I’m told that there were over 140 musicians who auditioned for the band of 75.

The other military bands are from the Irish Guards, The Royal Irish Rgt, the Royal Tanks Rgt., Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry.  From the US, the band and pipes & Drums of the Citadel Military School.   The Pipes & Drums of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police represent Canada very well.  Australia is very well represented by two files from the Brisbane Boys School and one by Australian Police Federation.

The Theme of the Tattoo this year is centered around the navy so the band of the Royal Marines is front and center.  The combined bands of the United States Marine Corps and Navy also play key roles along with the US Navy’s Honor Guard and drill team.

Personally, this has been an overwhelming thrill to be part of.  It is, of course, a huge theatrical production with all the mechanics that go with such a production. But, most of all, this has been a great meeting of like-minded pipers/drummers who come together from all over the world to produce one of the world’s truly magnificent shows.

Cheers for now!
Charlie

Following a highly competitive selection process, this past week our own Branch 25 piper – Charles Martin – participated in The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  According to Wikipedia:

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual series of military tattoos performed by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and international military bands, and artistic performance teams on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in the capital of Scotland. The event is held each August as one of the Edinburgh Festivals.

You can see Charlie entering Edinburgh Castle on the first night below.

Here is another clip where we can pick out Charlie.  The march out of Edinburgh Castle at the end of the first night of performances.

You can also catch the full procession out of the castle  (although we couldn’t find exactly where Charlie was marching in this one.

And here is some footage of the final rehearsal march off with Edinburgh Castle in the background.

More footage from Charlie, as they march out for the second scene (i.e., the jig set) during one of the performances.

In Charlie’s own words:

Greetings from not-so-sunny Edinburgh!

The Tattoo is progressing well with the first full week of performance under our belts.

It is quite the treat to be positioned between the Scotts Guards and the Gurkha Rgt.
This year’s theme is the Navy so a very nautical program featuring the Royal Marines, Royal Navy and the US Navy prominently. With a Bollywood act tossed in to spice things up!

Also performing this year is the Pipes & Drums of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The band here is made up of members from their 4 bands across Canada. There are members from Nova Scotia to BC. Most are not currently, or ever were in the RCMP but as can be seen by the decorations, have served in some capacity. A good group of folks representing Canada very well. An all volunteer band.

Anyway, one week to go! The time really has flown by with so much happening. An outstanding team of great musicians. Playing with the various bands is such a treat! Really an opportunity of a lifetime that I never thought I would have a chance to be part of.

Cheers,
Charlie

Congratulations to Comrade Charles Martin on what must have been the experience of a lifetime!  Below are some of the pictures he has posted or has sent along.