MORAY PERSONNEL ARE in the thick of things as the special ‘Battle of Britain’ programme at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo draws to a close this week.
This has included pipers and drummers from RAF Lossiemouth, the RAF Lossiemouth Pipe Band and 2622(Highland) Squadron Pipes and Drums.
Both service and civilian members of the bands volunteered to play under the direction of the RAF’s principal director of music, Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, in a performance that included ‘Aces High’ and the ‘Battle of Britain March’ framed by a special effects sequence.
The Moray personnel also joined in the highlight of the Tattoo, the massed pipes and drums that included 14 Regimental and Commonwealth bands comprising of 250 pipers and drummers.
Producer of the Tattoo, Brigadier David Allfrey, commented: “The Pipes and Drums are special – everyone waits for their moment and you can feel the sense of expectation across the stands.
“We have added an extra set again this year and are bringing the pipers together with dancers, fiddle players, traditional instruments and Gaelic song. It is stunning!”
Throughout the month-long run in Edinburgh in which the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain has been a key theme aircraft, both historic and current, has featured – including flypasts by RAF Lossiemouth Typhoons.
Performers from over 48 countries have taken part in the Tattoo – and around 30% of the 220,000 audience each year are from overseas. In addition the Tattoo has been televised in more than 40 countries to an annual television audience of 100million people.