Musicians take note as Tattoo puts out order for new works

NEW musical compositions and a Highland dance celebrating Homecoming Scotland 2009 have been commissioned for Edinburgh's Military Tattoo.

The Tattoo has commissioned two musical compositions, one by Runrig founder member Blair Douglas and the other from Pipe Major Roddy Macdonald.

The work has been commissioned with the help of the Scottish Government's Expo Fund.

A new Highland dance will also be commissioned, along with a short film about the new works for the Tattoo's official DVD, which gets worldwide distribution.

Speaking from Edinburgh Castle, where he met with the Tattoo's chief executive and producer Major General Euan Loudon and Lance Corporal Gary Mowbray from the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Culture Minister Michael Russell said: "In the Year of Homecoming it is appropriate that Blair Douglas' composition celebrates soldiers returning to the Tattoo in 2009, while Inverness-born Pipe Major Roddy Macdonald comes 'home' from Australia to lead the performance of his new work."