Girls, drums and calypso to play part in Tattoo

ACTS from the US, Russia and Taiwan will make their UK debuts at this year's Edinburgh Military Tattoo, it was announced today.

A flute and drum group from Boston, a high school band from Taipei and Russia's unofficial musical ambassadors will all get top billing at the event.

They will rub shoulders with some of the best-loved acts from previous Tattoos, including Trinidad and Tobago's celebrated calypso steel band and the acclaimed Imps young motorcycle display squad.

However, anyone who likes the sound of the line-up and hopes to see the show will be disappointed - all the tickets for this year's Tattoo, which will feature 500 musicians, 200 dancers, 35 motorcycles and 30 horses, sold out back in January, in record time.

Lord Provost George Grubb said: "There is no better place to be in summer than Edinburgh, when thousands descend on our beautiful city to experience the world's greatest celebration of the arts.

"The setting for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo could not be more fitting at the entrance to the imposing and historic Castle."

Images of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will be projected on to the walls of the Castle during the show to mark their diamond wedding anniversary year.

The famous lone piper climax to the show will be a lament to mark the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War.

Major General Euan Loudon, who is in his first year overseeing the event as chief executive and producer, said: "I feel sure this year's programme will properly maintain the strong traditions and high standards cherished by both performers and spectators throughout the 57 years that the Tattoo has been staged.

"Our programme will be celebrating Her Majesty's the Queen's diamond wedding anniversary, and in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Royal School of Military Music at Kneller Hall, we'll bring to life in words and music the story of the contribution music has made to military tradition over the years.

"This year also sees the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War and we shall be duly acknowledging that in the programme."

Some resale tickets for the Tattoo, which runs from August 3 to 25, may be available on performance days from the official box office in Market Street.

A PACKED PROGRAMME OF ENTERTAINMENT

OTHER highlights on show at this year's Tattoo will include:

• A massed pipes and drums ensemble of the Royal Caledonian Society of South Australia, the Royal Army of Oman and Auckland Police Band.

• The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the Scottish Universities Officers Training Corps.

• The Mounted Band of the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry.

• Highland dancers from Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.

• A sequence celebrating 150 years of military music, featuring classics such as the Skye Boat Song .

• Scouting groups from all over Scotland to mark the organisation's centenary year.

• A rendition by 500 musicians of best-selling Bryan Adams song Everything I Do, I Do It For You, to end the show.

• The march out, to the tunes of Scotland The Brave, We're No' Awa' Tae Bide Awa' and The Black Bear.