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.