Your Travel Specialist On: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

I am from Scotland, and every time I hear bagpipes, it makes me feel homesick. My husband – an American – thinks it an awful sound. I only get to wear my kilt in January since Los Altos has a warm climate.

The word “Tattoo” comes from the closing time cry in the inns during the l7th century. A shout of
“Doe Den tap toe” (gaelic ) means turn off the taps. The first show was in l950, and to date over 8 million pounds has been given to charity. www.edintattoo.co.uk

If you are planning on going to Europe in 2015, you should try and go to see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, August 7 to August 29. This is the most spectacular show in the world and enjoyed by the international audience of 100 million who have seen it. There is however no substitution for being there in person and being part of the 217,000 audience over its three weeks season on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. It is worth the price of a seat, starting at 65 pounds. This is Scotland’s No. l tourist attraction. Tickets are already on sale for 2015. Seats sell out quickly.

The castle is a fortress, built on a hill, which dominates the skyline of the City of Edinburgh. Human habitation of the site dates back as far as the 9th century B.C.

Massed bands of the eleven Scottish Regiments and from all over the world put on a marvelous performance. The bands are from the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Carabiniers and Greys, Royal Scots Regiment on foot, Royal Highland Fusiliers, the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, the Cameronians Scottish Rifle, the Black Watch Regiment, the Queens Highlanders, the Gordon Highlanders, and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Performers from over 46 different countries have taken part in the Tattoo and 50% of the audience is from overseas.

It is an honor to have a band invited to play in the event, and people from the Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand are usually taking part. This last Tattoo had a wonderful group of Highland Dancers from Australia. Took me back in time, since when I lived at home I won lots of medals and trophies for dancing. I learned to sword dance using two brooms until I was good enough to try and real thing.

Last year’s show had over 1,000 performers with 35 Zulu warriors, 40 fiddlers, 45 steel drummers, and visitors were thrilled at the theme “Our home, Friends and Family” conveyed the notion of travel which since the beginning of time has fired the emotions. The lure of faraway places, the adventure into the unknown, and the joy of reunion.

From the Northern Lights to the South Pacific, from Nagaland, India’s final frontier, to Australasia, the West Indies, South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal and beyond. The fireworks at the end of the show is like none you have ever seen.

Over the years, it has played host to international dancers, steel bands, flag wavers, drill teams, Zulus, camels, cavalry, motorcyclists and police dogs. I remember one year a band from Nepal was led by three small elephants. The whirl of the pipes, and seeing all the kilts march to haunting music is a moving experience.

At the end of the show, a lone piper plays his bagpipes from the Castle Ramparts and it is a sad lament. The audience then holds hands and sings “Auld Lang Syne” which always makes me cry. This is a poem by Robert Burns – 1788 – which is sung to Scottish folk music, and always played at funerals, graduations, and as a farewell or an ending to an occasion.

Should Old acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot And auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my jo (gaelic for dear) For auld lang syne
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet For auld lang syne.

If you are one of the millions with Scottish ancestors, this would be a good time to go look at where your family came from. I have clan maps so can send you to the right place. Go have a few days in London, then take the train up north. Put this on your Bucket List?

Maureen MacDonald Jones

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.

Previous columns by Maureen:

Your Travel Specialist On: Scotland, The British Open 2015.

Delectable Dining - Hawaii’s Farm Fresh Table Temptation.

Your travel specialist on: Themed River Cruises.

Islay, A whisky lover’s delight!

Your Local Travel Expert On: Different Perspectives of Australia.

Your Travel Expert On: Exotic Cruises.

The Kimberley, Cruising the Australian Outback.

Tips for the perfect family vacation.

Ciao Italy.

Four countries in harmony.

Latin Luxury.

Adventure Travel - With a Difference.

photo courtesy of edintattoo.co.uk