Edinburgh Tatto celebrates citizen soldiers

By Ian MacKenzie

EDINBURGH, July 22 (Reuters) - The 2008 Edinburgh Military Tattoo celebrates the centenary of Britain's Territorial Army, whose part-time soldiers are currently serving alongside regular forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Tattoo, an integral part of the Edinburgh international festival of the arts and the biggest annual military extravaganza of its kind in the world, brings together participants from four continents for 25 nightly performances on the Edinburgh castle esplanade, backed by the soaring ramparts of the ancient fortress from August1-23.

Along with the massed pipes and drums of six Scottish army units, highlights this year include the first appearance by an Indian military band in 46 years, the Indian Army Chief's Military Band, and three bands from Singapore including Gurkhas and the pipes and drums of an all-woman police force band.

"I'm thrilled to add the first Indian military band to our line-up for almost half a century. These magnificent musicians will almost certainly add something extra to proceedings," said Tattoo director Major-General Euan Loudon.

Also appearing is Melbourne's Rats of Tobruk pipe band from Australia, and the world-travelled pipes and drums of the Queen Victoria School at Dunblane in eastern Scotland, which is also celebrating its centenary.

The private school opened in 1908 as a memorial to Scottish soldiers and sailors who died in South Africa in the 1899-1902 Boer War and a living memorial to Queen Victoria, who had approved the plan for the school before her own death in 1901.

The Golden Eagles marching band from the Southeast Missouri State University from the United States will perform "their compelling fusion of music, marching and percussion", the Tattoo said.

The Band of His Majesty the King of Norway is backing the King's Guard on their seventh appearance at the Tattoo with mesmerising display of flashing bayonet-tipped rifles and meticulous drill.