2012

Supported by

THE
DIAMOND
JUBILEE
OF QUEEN
ELIZABETH II
At the very first performance of a military pageant which
took place on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in 1950,
a twenty four year old Princess Elizabeth, wearing the
uniform of the Womens Auxiliary Territorial Service,
was photographed saluting her mother, Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth (later Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the
Queen Mother), accompanied by her younger sister
Princess Margaret. Two years later, following the death
of her father, King George VI, the same Princess Elizabeth
ascended the Throne of the United Kingdom as Queen
Elizabeth II of England, Wales and Northern Ireland,
and of Her Other Territories, and Queen Elizabeth I of
Scotland.
It was the beginning of a remarkable
era. The world into which Queen
Elizabeth was born would change
dramatically. Over the 60 years of her
reign, she has witnessed men landing
on the moon, the Berlin Wall being
demolished, the dismantlement of
the Soviet Union, the creation of the
European Union, and the launch of the
Internet.
It has been a dazzling journey, with

One Voice One Celebration

Queen Elizabeth resolutely at the heart

of her peoples hopes and aspirations in
good times and in bad. In her Diamond
Anniversary Year, she remains Queen
Regnant of 16 sovereign states, twelve
of which were British Colonies or
Dominions at the start of her reign. She
continues to preside with affection
and dignity over the Commonwealth
of Nations, an influential association
of former British colonies and current
dependencies, along with other

countries that have no historical ties to

Britain.
Twelve British Prime Ministers have
served her in Government. In addition
to the majority of world leaders over
this time span, she has entertained
11 Presidents of the United States
of America. During her reign, HM
The Queen has undertaken over 256
official overseas visits to 129 different
countries, including the Peoples
Republic of China.
Committed and conscientious. The
position of a constitutional Head of
State is demanding in the extreme;
the role of an anointed monarch is for
life. At an age when most individuals
would have retired long ago, Queen
Elizabeth shows no signs of slowing
down. In the first seven months of her
Diamond Jubilee Year alone, she and
her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh,
have already undertaken a challenging
series of engagements in England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

10

As Head of the British Armed Forces,

the Queen has always enjoyed a
special and supportive relationship
with The Royal Edinburgh Military
Tattoo, granting it the Royal
designation in 2010. At the time,
the honour recognised the events
exceptional contribution to
Scottish culture, and the military
and charitable organisations that it
supports.

and Air Force, not to mention the

thousands of overseas performers
who have taken part in this truly
unique and unrivalled spectacle.
It goes without saying that the
Diamond Anniversary themed
programme this year should include
Scotlands Salute to the Monarch,
a tribute to a truly remarkable
woman who has selflessly
dedicated her entire life to the
service of others.

Since it began, The Royal Edinburgh

Military Tattoo has provided an
extraordinary showcase for the
very best of the British Army, Navy

It has been a dazzling journey, with Queen

Elizabeth resolutely at the heart of her
peoples hopes and aspirations in good
times and in bad

11

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

A Cast
of a
Thousand
The show brings together the combined
brilliance of a remarkable cast.

It has to be one of the most exhilarating and

unforgettable experiences in the world. The staging of
the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the esplanade on
Edinburgh Castle provides one of the greatest open-air
pageants in the world.
The show brings together the
combined brilliance of a remarkable
cast. Returning once more to The
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is
the 100-strong contingent of young
pipers, drummers and dancers from
Queen Victoria School in Dunblane.
The Top Secret Drum Corps from
the Swiss city of Basel and His
Majesty The Kings Guards and Drill
Team from Norway, always a great
favourite with Tattoo audiences,
join them.

13

Making its first appearance is the

50-strong United States Naval
Forces Europe (NAVEUR) Band.
Australian representation is also
strong this year with the 50 strong
band of the Australian Defence
Force and the Pipes and Drums of
Melbournes Rats of Tobruk, a living
memorial to those who died in
North Africas 1941 Siege of Tobruk;
The Australian Federal Police from
Canberra; Sydneys award winning
Scots College Pipe Band and the
OzScot Highland Dancers, and the

30-member Manly Warringah Pipe

Band from New South Wales.
Once again, The Royal Edinburgh
Military Tattoo proves that the
general publics appetite for
spectacle remains undiminished.
Its enduring existence confirms
that for a huge number of people
from all over the world there is still
something exciting and uplifting
about this unique and historic
celebration of international talent,
co-operation and understanding.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Pipes and Drums of

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards have their roots in the
pipe band that joined the Royal Scots Greys in 1946.
The band formed because of the
demobilisation of various Scottish
Territorial Armoured Corps units.
They were the Scots Greys first
official pipers. In the past there
had been even smaller and
unofficial pipe bands including
one in India in the 1920s, which
performed on horseback.
The pipers and drummers are tank
and cavalry soldiers who have
honed their skills on Challenger
Main Battle Tanks whilst
upholding a real proficiency as
top class musicians.
These days, the band continues
to mark one achievement after
another. It is regarded as the
British Armys top Pipes and

15

Drums and is classified as Grade

2 Standard. In 2007, the Pipes
and Drums of The Royal Scots
Dragoon Guards signed a 1M
recording deal with major music
label, Universal. The subsequent
album Spirit of the Glen, topped
the classical charts over the
festive season that year, while in
2008 their second album Spirit
of the Glen Journey, which was
recorded in Iraq, won a Classical
Brit Award for Album of the Year.
At present, the Regiment is
undertaking a Return to Role
training year after completing an
exhausting six month operational
tour of Afghanistan.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Pipes and Drums of

The Royal Corps of Signals
The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Corps of Signals were formed on the 30th
September 2009.
Its heritage dates from the
Second World War among the
Pipes and Drums of 51st Highland
Division Signal Regiment and 52nd
Lowland Division Signal Regiment.
Upon the disbandment of these
regiments in the 1960s the Pipes
and Drums were kept alive in both
32nd (Scottish) Signal Regiment
(Volunteers) and 40th (Ulster)
Signal Regiment (Volunteers).
Membership of the Pipes and
Drums is open to all Royal Signals
officers and soldiers, regular and
reserve, irrespective of line of
work.
The band performs regularly
in the UK as well as overseas.
Recent notable engagements

One Voice One Celebration

have included appearances at

Switzerlands Basel Tattoo, the
Kremlin Zoria Tattoo in Moscow,
NATOs CIS School in Latina,
Italy and complementing the
Military Band at the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst, where
individuals also regularly support
the Sovereigns Parade. Pipers
also accompanied Scotlands
Commonwealth Games Team
to Delhi in 2010 and played at a
State Banquet for HM The Queen.
Pipers wear the Red Grant tartan
as a tribute to 51st Highland
Division Signal Regiment. The
reverse drone ribbons are Green
Ogilvie tartan to help remember
the link with 52nd Lowland
Division Signal Regiment.

16

The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Highland Fusiliers,

2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (known as 2 SCOTS) is a line
infantry regiment, which forms one of seven Battalions in the Royal Regiment of
Scotland.
They are based in Penicuik,
Midlothian, about seven miles
south of Edinburgh. They recently
returned from operations in
Helmand Province, Afghanistan
where they were deployed as part
of 16 Air Assault Brigade. This was
their second operational tour of
Helmand: their first was four years
ago in 2008.
The Battalion has a long and
distinguished history dating
back to 1678. They have gained
a number of Battle Honours
throughout this period and have
fought in major conflicts from
Blenheim to the Gulf War.
Today, they continue to provide
security in an increasingly

17

unstable world. They have been

deployed frequently in the
last decade in support of UK
Government activities and have
served with distinction in every
operation in which they have
been involved.

Highland Light Infantry, while the

remainder of the band is dressed
in the Erskine tartan of the Royal
Scots Fusiliers. These links, going
back well over 300 years, are a
continuing inspiration to all who
serve in 2 SCOTS.

The Pipes and Drums of 2 SCOTS

has always been an integral part
of the Regiment. They have
ceaselessly maintained the highest
of standards and nowadays are
as much a part of the Regiments
legacy as a source of pride.

The Pipes and Drums are

formed from the Battalions Fire
Support Company and when not
practicing their craft they operate
as members of the machine gun
platoon.

Its history is very much reflected

in the uniforms you see on
parade this evening. The Drum
Major is wearing the Mackenzie
tartan trews derived from the

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Pipes and Drums of The Black Watch,

3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Black Watch , 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, (known as
3 SCOTS) is a light infantry battalion that forms one of seven battalions within
The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Based at Fort George near
Inverness, the Battalion is
currently a significant element of
19 Light Brigade and has recently
returned from a successful
deployment in the Nad-e-Ali
district of Helmand Province as
part of 20 Armoured Brigade. This
was the Battalions second tour of
Afghanistan; the first was in 2009
when they were deployed in an air
assault role based at Kandahar.
Whilst the Regiment was formed
in 2006, the Battalion can trace
its roots from The Black Watch
(Royal Highland Regiment) which
has a long and distinguished
history dating from 1739. The
Black Watch gained a number of
Battle Honours throughout this

19

era, and served with distinction in

the Napoleonic Wars, The Crimea,
World Wars I & II, Korea and
Iraq. The distinctive Red Hackle,
which continues to be worn by
the soldiers, was granted as an
exclusive privilege.

Each battalion also appoints a

Pipe President who is an officer of
field rank status and accountable
for the management of the Pipes
and Drums.

The pipers and drummers serve

as infantry soldiers as well as
performing their musical duties.
While the bands Drum Major is
typically in over-all command
of the pipes and drums, the Pipe
Major is responsible for training
the pipers and the preservation
and maintenance of Scottish and
Highland tradition within the
Battalion.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Pipes and Drums of The Highlanders,

4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Highlanders, 4th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (known as 4 SCOTS)
who are currently stationed at Fallingbostel in Northern Germany, are an infantry
battalion forming part of 7 Armoured Brigade The Desert Rats - and have seen active
service in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and more recently within Afghanistan.
4 SCOTS were formed in
September 1994 when the Queens
Own Highlanders merged with
The Gordon Highlanders. Their
histories date from 1778 when the
Regiments were raised throughout
the Highlands and Islands of
Scotland.

pipers fall under the authority

of the Pipe Major while the
drummers are under the control
of a Drum Major. The Drum Major
is normally in over-all command
of the Pipes and Drums although
this could be the Pipe Major
based on seniority.

Because of the importance of

the antecedent regiments, The
Highlanders maintain connections
with their predecessors by means
of wearing all three regimental
tartans (Gordon, Mackenzie
and Cameron), which are all
incorporated in the uniform worn
by the band.

Pipers and drummers are soldiers

first and the Pipes and Drums
have an operational role. All
band members form a vital part
of the battalions fire support
group where they operate heavy
weapons in all major exercises and
operations.

Today, the Pipes and Drums are

divided into two elements: the

One Voice One Celebration

diverse as America, Canada, India,

Australia, Italy, Denmark, Holland
and Germany, to name but a few.
The band is currently under the
direction of Drum Major Craig
Gibson and Pipe Major Peter
Macgregor.

They have performed all over

the world taking the spirit of
the Highlands to locations as

20

The Rats of Tobruk Memorial Pipes and Drums

The Rats of Tobruk Memorial Pipes and Drums are unquestionably one of
Australias foremost pipe bands.

Formed in 1960 as a living

memorial to the famous Rats
of Tobruk of World War II, the
Melbourne-based musicians have
since travelled to most Australian
states for Tobruk veteran reunions.
In fact, the band has participated
at Edinburghs Military Tattoo on
six previous occasions 1988,
1994, 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2008
- where three of their pipers also
performed in the coveted role of
Lone Piper.
En route to Edinburgh in 2001,
they travelled to El Alamein in
Egypt to perform a memorial
service to commemorate the 60th
anniversary of the historic siege
of Tobruk at the Commonwealth
War Graves Cemetery.

21

Then, in 2007, the band

performed at the inaugural
Russian Kremlin Zoria Tattoo on
Red Square in Moscow and in
2009, they appeared at the Libyan
Military Music Festival. Following
this tour in September 2009 the
band travelled to Tobruk to hold
a special Memorial Service for
the Australian and Allied soldiers
buried at the Commonwealth War
Graves Cemetery.

Wearing their distinctive scarlet

doublets and MacLeod of Harris
tartan, The Rats of Tobruk
Memorial Pipes and Drums are
under the musical direction of
Pipe Major David McNamara and
Drum Major Kathleen Matthies.

2010 saw them a little closer to

home as part of the line-up for
The Royal Edinburgh Military
Tattoo in Sydney, Australia,
while in 2011 they journeyed to
Switzerland to participate at the
Basel Tattoo.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

Australian Federal Police Pipes and Drums

The Australian Federal Police (AFP), which was created in 1979, provides national
and international policing services to Australia and plays a key role in counter
terrorism activities.

For the city of Canberra and its

precincts, the AFP is responsible
for community policing
services, while as a part of its
commitment to international
policing AFP officers are involved
in peacekeeping missions
throughout the world.
The Australian Federal Police Pipes
and Drums is the official band of
the Australian Federal Police.
Band members are all volunteers
and include a combination of
serving AFP officers and civilians,
drawn from the Canberra City
Pipes and Drums (CCPD). The
CCPD became the honorary
band to the AFP in 1993 before

23

the formal establishment of the

Australian Federal Police Pipes and
Drums in 2006.
Its uniform comprises the Ancient
Caledonian tartan for pipers,
providing a connection to its
Scottish heritage, while the
drummers wear the Canberra
tartan, representing the city
where the band is based. The
tartans are accompanied by the
AFP insignia and chequered dicing
on its glengarries and drums.

Andre Rieus orchestra during

his Australian tour in 2008; the
2009 Edinburgh Military Tattoo
in Scotland, the 2010 Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo in
Sydney and the Basel Tattoo in
Switzerland in 2010.

Some of the bands recent

appearances include participating
at the inaugural Kremlin Zoria
Military Tattoo in Red Square in
Moscow in 2007; playing with

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Manly Warringah Pipe Band

The Sydney beachside suburb of Manly just a stunning ferry ride from the
iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House is the beautiful oceanfront home
to the Manly Warringah pipe band.

Here the band often performs

publicly on the seafront or on
Manlys golden sands as part
of the Surf Life Saving Carnival
season a truly unique setting to
hear the skirl of the pipes.
Under the leadership of Pipe
Major Fred Munro, the Band was
inaugurated in February 1949 as the
Band of the Manly District Scottish
Society. Then in 1952, it became
the civilian Manly Warringah
Pipe Band, modelled on that of
a Scottish military band. The
Marquis of Huntly gave permission
for the band to wear the insignia
of the Gordon Highlanders as part
of its uniform, which now includes
the Military Gordon tartan as worn
by the Gordons.

One Voice One Celebration

The band has competed at

highland gatherings in New South
Wales, Victoria, Queensland and
New Zealand. In 2008 and 2009,
they successfully competed at the
World Pipe Band Championships
in Glasgow and the following
year performed at the 2010 Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo in
Sydney.

The band teaches both pipers

and drummers, with almost half
of its current 45-strong playing
members a product of that
tuition.

Each year, the band plays at

over 40 engagements, including
sporting events, street fairs and
parades. The annual highlight
is the ANZAC Day memorial
march through the City of
Sydney, watched by thousands
of enthusiastic spectators and
broadcast live on national
television.

24

The Drums and Pipes of

The Cape Town Highlanders
The Cape Town Highlanders were raised in 1885 by 166 patriotic Capetonians of
Scottish descent.
For 127 years, these citizensoldiers have stood ready to
protect hearth and home. In
peacetime, they work at their
normal civilian jobs and during
their time off train themselves
in the art of war. If danger or
emergency threatens, they take
to arms, true to their motto,
Bydand - Steadfast.
Based at the historic Castle of
Good Hope in Cape Town, the
all-volunteer corps is one of the
South African Armys mechanised
infantry units. In addition to
performing regimental duties,
including the Cape Town Military
Tattoo and the ceremonial
Opening of Parliament, the
Regiment has also been active in

One Voice One Celebration

African peacekeeping operations.

Contingents have served in
countries like Burundi and the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
The band of the Cape Town
Highlanders is officially
acknowledged as the Drums
and Pipes, a tradition inherited
from the Gordon Highlanders, to
whom the Regiment was for many
years affiliated. This distinguished
South African regiment has been
marching to the strains of the
Drums and Pipes ever since its
formation in 1885 and in locations
as far afield as the Western Desert
and Italy.

of many prizes at regional

Highland Gatherings, the pipers
and drummers are now regular
participants at a number of
premier world events, including
five Edinburgh Military Tattoos,
two Basel Tattoos, the first Berlin
Tattoo and the Jinhae Music
Festival in Korea.

One of the top pipe bands

in South Africa and winner

28

The Canadian Army Pipes and Drums

This years Massed Pipes and Drums will also feature pipers and drummers from
three of Canadas famous regiments: The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
of Canada, The Calgary Highlanders and the 48th Highlanders of Canada.
Representing the Canadian Army, they will proudly parade each evening
contributing to the very essence of Edinburghs world-famous event.
The 48th Highlanders of Canada
A group of Toronto citizens of
Scottish descent formed the
Regiment in 1891. Since then, the
48th Highlanders has steadfastly
served its country earning a total
of 49 battle honours, the most of
any active unit in Canada.

The Argyll & Sutherland

Highlanders of Canada (Princess
Louises)
Established in 1903 and based at
John Foote Armories in Hamilton,
Ontario, the Canadian Argylls now
operate as an Infantry Reserve
Unit of the Canadian Army.

Since its creation in 1910,

musician soldiers have always
played a part in the corps
although it was 1921 before
the Pipes and Drums became
a designated and integral
component of the Regimental
family.

The Pipes and Drums play an

important role in the Canadian
Forces providing musical support
for a variety of key military events.

The band performs full stage

shows and concerts and
frequently participates in many
Tattoos and parades around the
world.

These days, the Regiments

musicians provide a richly
textured soundtrack to enhance
all aspects of regimental life:
playing at weddings, funerals,
formal dinners, parades and
remembrance ceremonies.

The band has also become a

regular contributor to local annual
events such as the opening game
of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Hockey Team.

29

This year marks the bands

sixth appearance at The Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The Calgary Highlanders
Todays Calgary Highlanders
comprise a reserve regiment of
light infantry soldiers.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Scots College Pipes and Drums

The Pipes and Drums were formed in 1900 with five boys - 3 pipers and 2 drummers.
Today, there are over 250 boys at the college playing or learning to play the
bagpipes or drums.

The band really started to

gain prominence when Ronald
McDonald took over as
Bandmaster after the sudden
death of Sgt Major Archie Brown
who together with the first
bandmaster, Willie McComb, laid
the foundations of todays Pipes
and Drums.

The Pipes and Drums have

performed at the World Festival
in Toronto, the Cardiff Searchlight
Tattoo and the Nova Scotia
International Tattoo on four
occasions. In addition, the band
has represented the college at
Disneyland and the Netherlands
Military Tattoo in Rotterdam.

Since 1900, the Pipes and

Drums have a proud record of
representing The Scots College at
local, national and international
levels. In 1931, they were granted
permission to wear the tartan of
the Black Watch Royal Highland
Regiment, which was a great
honour and is still observed to
this day.

They were the first juvenile

pipe band to participate in The
Edinburgh Military Tattoo in
1973 and took part at the two
Edinburgh Military Tattoos that
took place in Sydney in 2005 and
2010.

l
31

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The 2012
Royal
Edinburgh
Military
Tattoo
Fanfare
Carnyx Fanfare
With Pictish Warriors from Erskine Stewarts Melville Schools
The Massed Pipes and Drums
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The Royal Corps of Signals
The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of
Scotland
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Rats of Tobruk
Australian Federal Police
The Manly Warringah
The Cape Town Highlanders
The Canadian Army
The Scots College
Queen Victoria School
The stirring sight and sounds of the internationally renowned
massed pipes and drums
Queen Victoria School Pipes, Drums & Dancers with
The Scots College Pipes and Drums
Respected northern and southern hemisphere schools unite to
present a Tweed-themed dance piece

Massed Bands
The Band of Her Majestys Royal Marines Scotland
The Minden Band of The Queens Division
The Band of The Kings Division
The Band of The Royal Air Force Regiment
Passing through medieval Scotland, its agricultural age and
mechanised era with music from the new Disney/Pixar film
Brave
Massed Highland Dancers
The Tattoo Dance Company together with the Canadiana Celtic
Association tell the story of Whisky to music by Phamie Gow
Accompanied by The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Band of The Australian Defence Force
50 musicians drawn from the three Australian Services with music
from colonial times to Kylie Minogue
OzScot Australia
A piece of dance theatre tracing the story of Metal with one of
Australias finest dance troupes and music by Tap Dogs Andrew
Wilkie

Accompanied by The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland

One Voice One Celebration

34

Supported by

www.edintattoo.co.uk

United States Naval Forces Europe Band

One of the United States top military bands spotlighting an
assortment of comic-strip superheroes including some iconic local
talent
Top Secret Drum Corps
The digital age with Switzerlands foremost percussion group
His Majesty The King of Norways Guards Band and
Drill Team
The finest display unit in the Norwegian Armed Forces
Massed Military Bands
The Band of Her Majestys Royal Marines Scotland
with
The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Minden Band of The Queens Division
The Band of The Kings Division
and
The Band of The Royal Air Force Regiment
Joined by
The Band of The Australian Defence Force
His Majesty The King of Norways Guards Band
United States Naval Forces Europe Band

35

The Massed Military Bands and Massed Pipes & Drums

The rousing music of the combined bands
Highland Cathedral
The entire cast with the Guard of Honour and Castle Drawbridge
sentries provided by The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal
Regiment of Scotland
Finale
The Coronation
Fireworks Diamonds Are Forever
National Anthem
Evening Hymn & Sunset The Day Thou Gavest
Lone Piper Crags of Tumbledown
Auld Lang Syne
March Out
Scotland The Brave
Were No Awa Tae Bide Awa
The Black Bear

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

Queen Victoria School, Dunblane

Queen Victoria School (QVS), Dunblane is the only school in the United Kingdom
that is owned by the Ministry of Defence.

All of its pupils are boarders and

are the children of Armed Forces
personnel who are Scots or who
have served in Scotland. Children
usually come to QVS aged 10 or
11 and stay until they are 17. For
many, their time at the School
will be the longest they have ever
lived in one place.
The School is above all
responsible for looking after the
children of eligible Forces families
who could not otherwise afford
boarding education. It is in some
respects a unique organisation.
As well as the support given to
the pupils by staff, the children
themselves are a great source of
mutual encouragement: those
whose parents are posted into

39

conflict zones or who are on

detachment for long periods
know that others in the School
are in the same situation, and that
most will experience something
similar at some point.
QVS is delighted to be performing
once again in The Royal Edinburgh
Military Tattoo. Pipes, Drums and
Dancers are a central part of the
Schools ceremonial activities. In
recent times, they have performed
in Tattoos in the Netherlands, in
Switzerland and in Nova Scotia.
The School last appeared at the
2008 Edinburgh Tattoo during the
Schools Centenary Year.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

Queen Victoria School Pipes, Drums & Dancers

with The Scots College Pipes and Drums
Tonight pupils from Scotlands Queen Victoria School in Dunblane team up with
pipers and drummers from Australias Scots College in Sydney to present an
animated Tweed-themed dance piece.
This is the first occasion that
schools from the northern and
southern hemispheres have come
together to perform as one at
Edinburghs celebrated Military
Tattoo.
The routine, which comprises
a combined 100-strong group,
will emulate the horizontal and
vertical threads of a woven
fabric under preparation to its
eventual manufacture as a piece
of woollen cloth known as tweed.
The distinctive shades of thread
bond during the dance to fashion
the finished cloth.
Johnstons of Elgin support
this evenings Tweed dance
arrangement.

41

Queen Victoria School has a longstanding ceremonial tradition,

reflecting the customs of the
Armed Forces in which the pupils
families live and work.

proud record of representing the

College at a number of national
and internationalevents.

The pupils ceremonial uniform

has changed little over the past
100 years, and its red tunic, kilt
and Glengarry are familiar to all
who know of the School.
Scots College Pipes and Drums are
synonymous with the Colleges
heritage and have proudly worn
the tartan of the Black Watch
(Royal Highland Regiment) since
they were given permission to do
so back in1931.
The Pipes and Drums boast a

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland

The Scotland band was formed at HMS Condor, Arbroath, in 1960 and remains
the only one of the four RM Bands stationed north of Portsmouth. The band
moved to Rosyth in 1971 and is now accommodated in a purpose built Band
Room at the Royal Naval Support Establishment MOD Caledonia Rosyth.
Most members of the Band
play at least two instruments,
with some being required to
play three. All are required to
perform different styles of music
including wind band, marching
band, big band, orchestral and
dance band engagements.
They also provide many small
combinations including jazz, string
and woodwind ensembles, making
the Royal Marines musician one
of the most adept in the military
music world.

inclusion of the Corps of Drums

brings movement, colour and a
flavour of the Ceremonial and
State occasions of which Royal
Marines Bands are such an integral
part. This ensures that the grand
spectacle of the traditional
Concert Finale is presented as a
fitting climax with appropriate
pomp and drama.

Engagements can range from

parades and mess functions
to recordings and charity fund
raising concerts. The Band actively
supports many charities both
service and non-service. The

As with all Royal Marines Bands,

the principal role is to provide
musical support to the Naval
Service but within their secondary
role, the musicians undertake
a variety of important support

One Voice One Celebration

tasks during active operations.

A number of the current band
has seen service in Afghanistan,
Kosovo and Iraq.

The Band is currently under the

direction of Captain Ian Davis RM.

It travels extensively throughout

the UK, but also abroad, and will
shortly be appearing in the USA.

42

The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland

The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland was established on 28th March
2006 to succeed the Highland and Lowland Bands.

Yet the Royal Regiment of

Scotland can boast a musical
legacy stretching back to the 18th
century and the days of Mozart.
Today, the bands principal role
is to support the Army and the
State at all ceremonial occasions
that occur across Scotland. These
engagements include Royal
and State visits, a considerable
assortment of Forces charity
activities and of course The Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The
band is one of the 22 bands of the
Corps of Army Music although it
is currently the only regular band
stationed in Scotland.
In addition to home
commitments, the band has lost

One Voice One Celebration

no time in establishing itself as a

leader within the world of military
music. As a result, they are in
constant demand as participants
at festivals and events in colourful
locations such as Malaysia,
Switzerland, China, Italy, Germany
and Australia.

essentially they are trained

soldiers. In fact, in 2003 many of
the musicians served their country
in Iraq where they acquitted
themselves with distinction.

Permanently based at Edinburghs

Dreghorn Barracks, the band
retains all the versatility
previously shown in the Scottish
regimental bands providing
music for all occasions whether
as a dance band, pop or folk
group, Scottish country-dance or
symphonic concert band.
All members of the band are
full-time musicians although

44

The Royal Edinburgh Tattoos Highland Dancers

with the Canadiana Celtic Dancers
Since its formation in 1992, some of Scotlands most talented highland dancers
the Tattoos highland dance team have thrilled audiences both at home and
overseas with their compelling performances.
Now, the Tattoos dancers are
this year delighted to welcome
amongst its ranks the excellent
Canadiana Celtic dancers who
hail from the Atlantic shores of
Nova Scotia to the Pacific coast
of British Columbia. This summer
marks their third appearance at
Edinburghs Military Tattoo.
Together the combined 60-strong
dance company will perform an
item entitled Whisky that tells
the story of the whisky making
process. It also helps celebrate
the Year of Creative Scotland as
a light is shone on some of this
countrys creative assets.
From sowing the barley to turning
the mash, through the distillation

45

and maturing processes and

eventual bottling of the whisky,
the dancers will present the
creation of a magical liquid known
throughout the world as Scotch.

World Champion dancer Nicola

Grant and Tattoo Dance Director
Billy Forsyth MBE choreograph
tonights dance item, which is
supported by Glenkinchie.

Formed in 2006, Canadiana Celtic

features top highland dancers and
recognised traditional step dancers
from across the Canadian continent
and is under the direction of
champion dancers Stephanie Grant
and Stephanie Turnbull.
This evenings music is a piece
from the Edinburgh Suite
composed by harpist Phamie Gow
and is performed by The Band of
The Royal Regiment of Scotland
with pipers from The Royal Scots
Dragoon Guards.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Band of The Australian Defence Force

The 2012 Royal Edinburgh Tattoo marks the first appearance of a permanent
Australian Defence Force Band.

This tri-service band of 50

musicians, consisting of the
Royal Australian Navy Band, the
Australian Army Band Corps and
the Royal Australian Air Force,
is set to join a strong Australian
representation at this years
Diamond Jubilee themed Tattoo
in honour of HM The Queens 60
years on the throne.
Musicians from across the
Australian continent have been
drawn together from the three
services to form the Band of
the Australian Defence Force, an
exciting and dynamic collection
of instrumentalists intent on
providing memories that will
remain with spectators for years
to come.

47

The Band, under the direction

of Lieutenant Colonel Gordon
Lambie CSM, Director of Army
Music, is expected to take the
audience on a historical and
cultural tour of Australia, with
music from early colonial times
to the tunes of Kylie Minogue and
AC/DC.

also amongst the many other

visiting performers gathered here
from around the world to help
celebrate the occasion of The
Queens Diamond Jubilee.

Tonights performance will feature

music skilfully crafted by Sergeant
Greg Petersen and include
precision drill, iconic Australian
songs and the stunning vocal
talents of the Bands singers.
The presence of the Band
in Edinburgh is designed to
enhance the image of Australia,
not only in the host nation, but

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

Australias OzScot Highland Dancers

OzScot Australia, under the direction of Cheryl Roach OAM and based in
Bathurst New South Wales, was established in 2000.

This 26-strong highland dance

troupe come from throughout
Australia. The team, which
consists of dancers 14-25 years of
age, are in fact representative of
the entire continent.
OzScots first international
performance was at the 2002
Edinburgh Military Tattoo in
Scotland. They formed part of
a team of dancers from New
Zealand, Canada, South Africa and
Scotland who came together to
help celebrate HM The Queens
Golden Jubilee. Since then
OzScot has participated at many
of the major international Tattoos
around the world.
This will be OzScot Australias

One Voice One Celebration

seventh appearance in The

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo:
performing at four previous
events in the Scottish capital
and at its two Australian shows
in Sydney, underlining the strong
bond that exists between the two
nations.

with the formation of metal

and its eventual construction.
This unique blend of traditional
highland dance and contemporary
movement provides a challenging
combination for the dancer
that offers a new experience for
todays audience.

Tonights metal and construction

themed dance strives to exploit
OzScots innovative and creative
dance techniques, using precision,
exactitude and sense of line.

Working with composer and

percussionist Andrew Wilkie, who
has written and arranged tonights
music, has been a rewarding
experience for the team. He
is perhaps better known as the
writer of international dance
phenomenon Tap Dogs.

This piece of dance theatre

traces the story of the natural
mineral, from crushing rock
and ore to gathering the
constituent parts, smelting
molten liquid and concludes

48

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band

The United States Navy has had a musical presence in Europe since the early
1950s. Stationed in Naples, Italy, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band is under the
operational control of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa.

The band performs over 400

engagements annually in over
40 countries across Europe and
Africa, including missions to
Greece, Estonia, France, Tunisia,
Nigeria, Ghana, Cape Verde,
Djibouti, and now the United
Kingdom. Annually, this proud
ensemble performs for more
than 70 million people in live and
broadcast performances.
The band is comprised of various
specialty units designed to fulfill
virtually any request for musical
support. These units include a
Wind Ensemble, Marching Band,
Ceremonial Band, two Brass
Quintets, a Woodwind Quintet,
a contemporary Brass Band, two
contemporary Popular Music

One Voice One Celebration

Ensembles and a Protocol Combo.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Bands
primary mission is to provide
musical support for official
military ceremonies, receptions,
and other events that serve
to enhance the morale and
welfare of U.S. and NATO Allied
Forces personnel. Additionally,
U.S. Naval Forces Europe
Band enhances international
community relations and
strengthens relationships with
partner nations through the
universal language of music.

international audiences time and

time again, proudly representing
American and NATO men and
women in uniform everywhere.

Whether performing traditional

military marches, Top 40 hits,
or authentic renditions of local
international favorites, the U.S.
Naval Forces Europe band delights

50

Top Secret Drum Corps

Acclaimed as one of the worlds most sensational assembly of percussionists,
the Top Secret Drum Corps was formed in 1990 by a talented collection of young
drummers from the Swiss city of Basel.

The city has a rich drumming

tradition and is recognised for
its annual Fasnacht carnival.
Basel is said to have over 3,000
drummers who perform at such
time-honoured events in addition
to numerous established parades
associated with the citys guilds.
Basel drumming style is
militaristic, derived from Swiss
service drum drills dating back
to the Middle Ages. But Top
Secrets drumming technique is
much more upbeat and playful
compared to the traditional
marching rhythms played in Basel
and their show includes drumstick
juggling, a drummers duel, flag
spinning and other humorous
touches.

53

Top Secrets members are all

highly dedicated drummers with
diverse day jobs bankers, civil
servants, factory workers and the
like.

Top Secret were the first Swiss

participants to perform at
Edinburghs world-famous Military
Tattoo.

Their energetic and unpredictable

style has drummed its way into
the hearts of Tattoo spectators
on three previous occasions and
the group is now one of the most
eagerly anticipated acts featured
at any production.
The group has performed around
the world: in China, South Africa,
USA and Australia as well as
in countries all over Europe,
including France, England, Wales,
Germany and Denmark.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

His Majesty The King of Norways Guards Band

and Drill Team
His Majesty The Kings Guards Band and Drill Team is unquestionably the finest
display unit in the Norwegian Armed Forces.
Based in Oslo, its principal
tasks are to protect and serve
the Norwegian Royal Family,
to perform Guard and Parade
duties, to train soldiers for the
Norwegian Army and to assist the
general public when called upon.

military service for 12 months,

and are, on average, some 19-20
years old. The present company
was called up in October 2011
and immediately began musical
and infantry training throughout
the winter months.

This would include providing

support at catastrophes, help with
combating forest fires and the
mounting of search and rescue
operations.

The 135-strong Kings Guards

have represented the Norwegian
Military Forces overseas on many
occasions. Highlights include
performances at La Place Les
Invalides in Paris, the Grand Place
in Brussels and the Olympic
Games at Lillehammer in 1994, as
well as on 8 previous occasions
at The Royal Edinburgh Military
Tattoo.

It is also the main infantry unit

responsible for the defence of Oslo
and is in theory under the direct
command of the King of Norway.
The Guardsmen on parade tonight
are all undergoing compulsory

55

drill skills, the Guards band and

drill team is the only corps in the
Norwegian Armed Forces whose
ranks wholly consist of conscripts.

Celebrated for their music and

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment

The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment celebrates their 70th Anniversary this
year. Formed in 1942 to support the newly established Royal Air Force Regiment,
the Band were originally located at Belton Park, near Grantham in Lincolnshire.

Now based at RAF College

Cranwell, the musicians perform
at a wide variety of annual
engagements including state visits,
changing of the guard at both
Buckingham Palace and Windsor
Castle, radio and television
broadcasts along with many other
concerts and parades.
Over the years, the Band has
travelled extensively: embracing
tours of Europe, Canada, Cyprus,
the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar,
as well as visits to Belize, Hong
Kong, Iraq and South Korea.
It recently journeyed to India
where they performed as part
of the Queens Diamond Jubilee
Celebrations.

57

The Band of the Royal Air Force

Regiment is lead by their Director
of Music, Flight Lieutenant
Matthew Little. Flight Lieutenant
Little graduated from Trinity
College of Music, London in 1992
and joined Royal Air Force Music
Services as a bass trombonist and
vocalist with the Central Band of
the Royal Air Force.
This is Flight Lieutenant Littles
second tour with the Band of the
Royal Air Force Regiment since he
was commissioned in 2008.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Minden Band of The Queens Division

The Minden Band comprises a host of talented musicians and is based near
Cambridge in England. It is the only band now directly supporting The Queens
Division of the British Army.

08

The Band was formed on 1

August 1994 because of Options
for Change. This was part of a
restructuring of the British Army,
which led to the formation of two
Bands within The Queens Division
- The Normandy Band and The
Minden Band.
2006 saw a further decrease in the
number of bands in the Corps of
Army Music and led to the demise
of The Normandy Band leaving
the Minden Band as The Queens
Divisions sole musical support.
The Minden Band is named after
the 1759 Battle of Minden, an
inherited honour common to
the three remaining Regiments
of The Queens Division. The

59

Band sports a unique Queens

Division cap badge and retains
a traditional scarlet ceremonial
uniform associated with the
Regiments it represents. More
than just a marching band, the
musicians perform in a variety of
guises, including concert, brass
and woodwind ensembles, pop
and jazz groups, fanfare team and
an 18-piece big band.

The Band is in much demand with

recent tours to Cyprus, Kosovo,
Pakistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Italy, The
Falkland Islands and Afghanistan.

The musicians principal task is

to provide musical support for
the Regiments of The Queens
Division. They do this in the
following ways: troop morale
support, where the band
entertains troops at home and on
operational tours in addition to
peace support engagements.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012

The Band of The Kings Division

The Band of The Kings Division was formed on 12th May 2006 as result of the
restructuring of Army Bands. It is an amalgamation of the former Kings
Division Bands (Normandy and Waterloo) and is based at Weeton Barracks in
Preston.
One of 23 regular Army Bands
within the Corps of Army
Music its primary role is to
provide musical support to the
Army. The band comprises 35
instrumentalists who have all
undergone musical training at
the Royal Military School of
Music, Kneller Hall. In addition
to their musical duties, in time of
conflict or emergency they would
mobilise in support of the Army
Medical Services.

military and civilian engagements

plot the bands course across the
British Isles along with many other
countries around the world.

The versatility of the

musicians enables the band to
provide musical backing and
entertainment for almost any
occasion: from small chamber
ensembles and groups to full
concert and marching bands. Both

The Duke of Lancasters Regiment

has two Regular and one TA
Battalion. It was created from
merging The Kings Own Royal
Border Regiment, The Kings
Regiment and The Queens
Lancashire Regiment. The

One Voice One Celebration

The Kings Division comprises two

regiments, The Duke of Lancasters
Regiment (Kings, Lancashire
and Border), and The Yorkshire
Regiment. Both were formed
in 2006 generating the biggest
facelift to the Kings Division since
its creation in the late 1960s.

Yorkshire Regiment, comprising

three regular and one TA
Battalion, was fashioned from the
merger of The Prince of Waless
Own Regiment of Yorkshire, The
Green Howards and The Duke of
Wellingtons Regiment.
Headquartered in Preston and
York respectively, these two larger
multi Battalion Regiments really
reflect the regions from which
they were raised, west and east of
the Pennines.

60

Music
Programme
FANFARE
Richard III
MASSED PIPES & DRUMS
The Crofter
Colins Cattle
The Herding Song
Cutting Bracken
Clean Pease Strae
The Wind that Shakes the Barley
Na Goisidich
Speed the Plough
The Sheiling
The Harvesters Lullaby
Harvest Home
Burning the Peat
Tilling the Land
The Merse Piper
The Muckin o Geordies Byre
QUEEN VICTORIA SCHOOL AND
THE SCOTS COLLEGE PIPES &
DRUMS
Waulking Work Song
Weaving the Weft
Heddles
My Favourite Tweed Coat
MASSED MILITARY BANDS
Fate and Destiny
The Games
Weve Both Changed
The Brawl
THE BAND OF THE ROYAL
REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND
Water of Life

One Voice One Celebration

Major S G SMALL, SCOTS Director of Army Bagpipe Music

and Highland Drumming

THE BAND OF THE AUSTRALIAN

DEFENCE FORCE
Parade of the Tall Ships
Along the Road to Gundagai
Waltzing Matilda
Spinning Around
On a Night like This
Highway to Hell
TNT
Irish Blessing
Man from Snowy River
Still Call Australia Home
THS SCOTS COLLEGE PIPES & DRUMS
Metal
US NAVAL FORCES EUROPE BAND
A medley of super tunes
TOP SECRET DRUM CORPS
The Digital Age
HM THE KINGS GUARDS BAND AND
DRILL TEAM
Guards March
Royal Swedish Lifeguards March
Silent Drill
Pastime with Good Company
Drummers Salute
Four Scottish Dances
Bonnie Banks oLoch Lomond
Old Rangers March

Lieutenant Colonel C R MELDRUM

MBE, Principal Director of Music
(Army) and 2012 Tattoo Principal
Director of Music

Road to the Isles

Men of Harlech
Salute to Australia
Guards March
Stars and Stripes
MASSED MILITARY BANDS AND
MASSED PIPES & DRUMS
Highland Cathedral
Scots Wha Hae
Heilan Laddie
FINALE
I Was Glad/Vivat Regina
Zadoc the Priest
Rule Brittania
Crown Imperial
Drummers Salute
Fireworks - Diamonds are Forever
National Anthem
Evening Hymn & Sunset The Day Thou
Gavest
Lone Piper - Crags of Tumbledown
Auld Lang Syne
MARCH OUT
Scotland the Brave
Were No Awa tae Bide Awa
The Black Bear

MASSED MILITARY BANDS

Royal Salute
Therell Always be and England
Killaloo

68