The Massed Pipes & Drums opened the show by spelling out REMT 75. I’m on the curve of the 5.

This year, once again, I was privileged to be accepted to perform at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT).  While last year’s performance was a grand new adventure for me, this year was extra special!  2025 marked the 75^th anniversary of the first Military Tattoo held in Edinburgh Castle, and I knew a great show was planned.  Neither the show, nor the experience disappointed!

A closer shot of me in “the 5” during the closing scene of the show.

The Tattoo’s theme of “Tattoo ’75, The Heroes Who Made Us” celebrated not only the acts and traditions from the show’s long history, but the local heroes who contribute today to make our society a better place.  With a new Creative Director, Alan Lane, the show returned to its military roots.  The Royal Regiment of Scotland was well represented with both the brass band and the bulk of the pipes and drums present.  Poland and Ukraine had military brass bands present and the U.S. Army’s Old Guard fife and drum corps, along with the U.S. Air Force’s precision drill team, represented the United States Military perfectly.

The band also performed in Glasgow during the “Piping Live” events before the World Pipe Band Championships.

As with last year, I was part of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes & Drums.  This band made up three of the eleven files of the Massed Pipes & Drums.  Numbering over 85 musicians, it is the largest band on parade and, actually, the largest performing pipe band in the world.  Musicians from all over the world apply and audition each year to be a member, with the final choices being made by the band’s leadership and the head of the Army School of Bagpipes and Scottish Drumming.  To be part of such an outstanding group of musicians is a privilege and pure joy which makes up for the challenge and hard work that goes into getting ready for the show’s production.  This year was especially challenging with rehearsal days of 14 hours the norm!  A great treat was to once again perform with my friend, Drum Major Colleen Wilson from Clovis, CA and with first-time performer, drummer Daren Olson.  Daren is the lead drummer for the California Professional Firefighters Pipes & Drums, and I’ve known and performed with him for years.

The REMT Pipes & Drums paying respect to the Scottish War Memorial chapel, Edinburgh Castle.

This was on top of getting back together with many of the performers from last year and meeting new performers from the 19 countries that were represented by the band, Tattoo Dancers and Tattoo Fiddlers that make up the entire REMT Performers.  There was a large Canadian contingent this year.  Both in the REMT Pipes & Drums/performers and the participation of the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band from Ontario.

The “Canadian” contingent.  Both from the REMT Performers and the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band.

Daren was fortunate to be able to contribute to the performance’s history!  His mother-in-law was present at the very first Tattoo, 75 years ago!  She was in attendance this year with Daren’s family and was the subject of a BBC interview.

It was great to perform with my friend, Daren Olson, who is a member of the California Professional Firefighters Pipes & Drums. Here, with his Mother-in-Law who attended the very first Tattoo.

For me, one of the best parts was a new feature where the performers would go out and meet the audience before the show.  This led me to meet three WW2 veterans; one from the Royal Scots Rgt., a Polish Tank Rgt. veteran, and a fine lady that was in the WAFs.  I was particularly honored to be chosen to meet Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, during a “meet and greet” luncheon after the last day of rehearsals.  To say that HRH is a gracious professional at making people feel at ease is an understatement.

HRH, Princess Anne is the Royal Patron of the REMT.  Getting to meet her was a special honour.

From the music and drill, to the people and experience of the show, this year’s Tattoo created memories of a lifetime.  I was very fortunate to be selected to be part of such a fine group of musicians and performers.  Marching across the Castle’s draw bridge to open the show never gets old. Nor does performing before a packed house of close to 9000.  For me, getting to meet so many fine people, who came from all corners of the world to see the show was icing on the cake.  To do this with friends, new and old, is an honour to appreciate forever.

The thrill of marching out of the Castle and forming up the Massed Pipes & Drums never got old.

 

Charles Martin, Piper

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.