Due to be going to the Tattoo this Thursday for the first time in over 50 years.
The last time was when I was 8 and it was the Dress Rehearsal. Audience of Army personnel and Service wives and brats. We drove through to Scottish Command HQ at Craigiehall. Dad went off to the Officer’s Mess for gin and tonics, Mum to bridge and sherry with the General’s wife and we got parked in front of the tv where I watched ‘Hopalong Cassidy’ for the first time ever.
On to my first ever visit to Embra and walking up the Mound to the Castle Esplanade. Sitting there high in the stands enveloped in a fug of tobacco smoke and alcohol fumes. In those days, the Tattoo was a lot more martial in character with lots of gun races and re-enactments of famous episodes from our military history. A totally magic experience.
So magic a memory that it is why, in part, I have taken so long to go back, for fear of being disappointed by comparison.
JM,
I was fortunate to have been in Edinburgh for the 1970 Commonwealth Games. I saw the lot from the opening ceremony until the closing ceremony. I was up there on detachment from my unit in England. We were billeted in the Castle. Probably the best duty I ever had to perform during my time in the Army. In-between working, I was able to make the most of my time there and managed to pack in a many of the sights, we of course had a free run of the Castle. I have fond memories of theThe Ensign Ewart pub and spent time there bellying up to the bar. As pubs go, it was unusual in as much as soldiers were drinking there in full ceremonial uniforms.
I have never made it up to the Tattoo but make a point of watching it every year. Frankly, what with the swinging cuts and operational commitments of the Armed Forces I’m surprised that it is still up and running.
Have fun.
Could probably name a good few of the ‘wars’ and some of the ‘battles’! Korea?
Mrs FEEG and I went to the Tattoo a few years ago now. We went to the late program on the Saturday night and it was nearly midnight by the time it was finished. Most of the military displays were musical., although we did see the RAF drill squad. There were also some Australian Ladies Scottish dancing team there. Although it was August, by that time of night it was getting somewhat parky and the lassies were leaping about in their kilts, looking as though they missed the warmth of the Australian sun.
The best bit was, of course the massed pipes and drum bands. I wish I could remember who said that there is nothing so excruciating as a bagpipe solo, or as stirring as a pipe and drum band!
Why is it call a tattoo? Nothing to do with the modern skin disease, I guess.
‘doe den tap toe’ – Dutch, I understand, for, ‘close the taps,’ – beer taps on the kegs in the local hostelries, that is.
Nothing with a lone piper – faintly heard on the wind it means, ‘Hang on, boys, the Jocks, (Or the Gurkhas, depending on your Brigade – either will do nicely,) are comin.’ 😀
Scotland, one must have at least grudging respect for the only country on earth in which blokes can wear skirts and not be considered Nancy-boys.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Thanks toc. I did like it a lot.
Due to be going to the Tattoo this Thursday for the first time in over 50 years.
The last time was when I was 8 and it was the Dress Rehearsal. Audience of Army personnel and Service wives and brats. We drove through to Scottish Command HQ at Craigiehall. Dad went off to the Officer’s Mess for gin and tonics, Mum to bridge and sherry with the General’s wife and we got parked in front of the tv where I watched ‘Hopalong Cassidy’ for the first time ever.
On to my first ever visit to Embra and walking up the Mound to the Castle Esplanade. Sitting there high in the stands enveloped in a fug of tobacco smoke and alcohol fumes. In those days, the Tattoo was a lot more martial in character with lots of gun races and re-enactments of famous episodes from our military history. A totally magic experience.
So magic a memory that it is why, in part, I have taken so long to go back, for fear of being disappointed by comparison.
JM,
I was fortunate to have been in Edinburgh for the 1970 Commonwealth Games. I saw the lot from the opening ceremony until the closing ceremony. I was up there on detachment from my unit in England. We were billeted in the Castle. Probably the best duty I ever had to perform during my time in the Army. In-between working, I was able to make the most of my time there and managed to pack in a many of the sights, we of course had a free run of the Castle. I have fond memories of theThe Ensign Ewart pub and spent time there bellying up to the bar. As pubs go, it was unusual in as much as soldiers were drinking there in full ceremonial uniforms.
I have never made it up to the Tattoo but make a point of watching it every year. Frankly, what with the swinging cuts and operational commitments of the Armed Forces I’m surprised that it is still up and running.
Have fun.
Could probably name a good few of the ‘wars’ and some of the ‘battles’! Korea?
Mrs FEEG and I went to the Tattoo a few years ago now. We went to the late program on the Saturday night and it was nearly midnight by the time it was finished. Most of the military displays were musical., although we did see the RAF drill squad. There were also some Australian Ladies Scottish dancing team there. Although it was August, by that time of night it was getting somewhat parky and the lassies were leaping about in their kilts, looking as though they missed the warmth of the Australian sun.
The best bit was, of course the massed pipes and drum bands. I wish I could remember who said that there is nothing so excruciating as a bagpipe solo, or as stirring as a pipe and drum band!
Why is it call a tattoo? Nothing to do with the modern skin disease, I guess.
Here you go Janus:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_tattoo
🙂
‘doe den tap toe’ – Dutch, I understand, for, ‘close the taps,’ – beer taps on the kegs in the local hostelries, that is.
Nothing with a lone piper – faintly heard on the wind it means, ‘Hang on, boys, the Jocks, (Or the Gurkhas, depending on your Brigade – either will do nicely,) are comin.’ 😀
Scotland, one must have at least grudging respect for the only country on earth in which blokes can wear skirts and not be considered Nancy-boys.
Christopher! Are you forgetting the Dalai Lama and David Beckham? 🙂
Janus: the Dalai Lama wears a robe, not a skirt. As for Beckham… Err… He is a bit too pretty, even in trousers.
Oooh!