Tag: journeys

Tattoo celebrates 2024’s triumphant show, Journeys

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo now turns attention to next year and its 75th Anniversary with tickets on sale now

Following an odyssey of awe-inspiring performances featuring acts from across the globe, 2024’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has officially come to an end.

The Edinburgh Castle’s hallowed Esplanade hosted over 800 performers, wowing packed crowds night after night, and with its increased capacity, the Tattoo hit an impressive 96% attendance cross the 26 Shows performed.

The third, and final instalment, of Creative Director Michael Brathwaite’s tenure with the Tattoo, Journeys capped off the successes of Voices and Stories. Framed by a time in which togetherness is as important as it has ever been, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, connected audiences, taking them on a voyage of shared histories and cultures from across the world.

In a dazzling display of lights, dance, music, colour and precision, the Show merged the traditional elements the Tattoo is known and loved for, with modern twists and fresh, creative elements. All brought to life by the wonderfully varied cast from the USA, India, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and homegrown acts from around the UK.

With a host of offerings, packages, and experiences, Tattoo fans enjoyed the show in myriad ways, including the 10-year anniversary of our partnership with Contini – hosts of our Cannonball hospitality package. The Tattoo also proudly hosted Presenting Partner, Innis & Gunn and Official Vehicle Partner, John Clark Motor Group.

As one fantastic journey ends, another begins, with the Tattoo prepared to celebrate its 75th anniversary next year under the direction of new Creative Director, Alan Lane. The upcoming year promises to be filled with excitement and spectacular performances, with tickets on sale now.

Jason Barrett, Chief Operating Officer of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “This year’s Tattoo had been teed up by two phenomenal performances in Voices and Stories, setting the bar exceedingly high.

“However, between the incredible cast, team and all those who came out to see the Show, Journeys exceeded all our expectations. This was a spectacle that will not just go down as a tremendous performance of the Tattoo, but truly one fitting of the title as one of the greatest shows on earth, and for that, we couldn’t be prouder.

“But as the 74th year of the Tattoo comes to a close and we say a fond farewell to our Creative Director Michael Braithwaite, we look ahead excitedly as Alan Lane takes up the role and takes us to even more dynamic and immersive levels.

“As we celebrate our 75th anniversary and a raft of exciting growth plans, it’s truly set to be a phenomenal year, and I’d urge fans to snap up tickets now to come and enjoy the magic of it all with us.”

Next year, the Tattoo Show will run from 1 -23 August 2025, with further updates to come across the Tattoo website and social channels.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 performance and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188.

JOURNEYS: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes crowds on a voyage with 2024 Show

Lead Service Royal Navy is joined by more than 800 performers on Edinburgh Castle’s iconic Esplanade this August!

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has returned to amaze crowds once again with this year’s Show, Journeys.

Providing all the artistic fanfare that Tattoo fans have come to expect, running until 24 August the Show will honour the seafarers who courageously traverse the oceans to connect people and cultures across continents. Joined by the Royal Navy as the Lead Service, talented performers are set to take crowds on an epic journeyof connection through music, dance, culture, and military traditions.

Talents from the USA, India, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and homegrown acts from around the UK will come together in a powerful display that embraces both tradition and modernity, this artistic odyssey will grasp audiences through the creative projections, drill, dance and so much more.

The Edinburgh Castle Arena will play host to the stirring sounds of the Massed Pipes and Drums, the precision talents of the United States Navy Ceremonial Guard and the poise of the Tattoo Dancers. As well as welcoming US musical talents from The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes and the United States Sea Service Band – a tri-service band created especially for the 2024 Tattoo.   

In a burst of energy and colour, Teamwork Arts India showcase The Rajasthani Bagpiper, The Bhangra Queens, and the Bollywood Ensemble, and Majesticks Drum Corps from Switzerland will dazzle with a display of precision drill.

As Lead Service, the Royal Navy will take centre stage alongside the Royal Marines as The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines perform the National Anthem in a grand finale suitable for one of the greatest shows on earth.

Michael Braithwaite, Creative Director at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “Journeys is a vibrant celebration of connection between peoples and cultures. As the Tattoo continues to evolve, so do the performers who light up the stage in August.

“I can’t wait for audiences to see the results of the hard work put in over the last year from everyone involved in the show. Audiences are in for a night to remember. 

“Journeys merges the traditional military elements that the Tattoo is known and loved for, along with modern touches through creative projection, technology, costume design and music inspirations to create a truly impactful performance.”

The full line-up for 2024 includes: The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines  Pipes and Drums of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, 1st Battalion Irish Guards Drums and Pipes, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, Combined Pipes and Drums of The Royal Tank Regiment and Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums, The Citadel Pipes and Drums, Australian Federal Police Pipes and Drums, Brisbane Boys’ College, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pipes and Drums, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Fiddlers, The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes, Majesticks Drum Corps, United States Sea Service Band, United States Navy Ceremonial Guard and Teamwork Arts India.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone, 0131 225 1188. The Show will run from 2 – 24 August 2024, with Presenting Partner, Innis & Gunn, offering a bar service at the event.

Tickets for 2025’s Show celebrating the 75th Anniversary of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will go on sale on 26 August 2024, with a special pre-sale open to 2024 ticket holders from 5 August.  

Wellerman singer reveals ‘pinch-me’ moment as song is included in The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Audiences can see it for themselves with 50% off Preview Night tickets on sale now

Scottish musician Nathan Evans has revealed his pride after discovering his hit ‘Wellerman’ will be part of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this summer.

The 29-year-old shot to fame when the sea shanty went viral across TikTok in 2020 which led to a record deal and a Number 1 single in several countries.

Now it has been revealed that the famous track will form part of the Tattoo performance, with His Majesty’s Royal Marines Band taking it on, alongside some traditional navy tunes and sea shanties.

Nathan said: “What an incredible honour to have my song featured as part of the Tattoo.

“Growing up in Scotland, I think the Tattoo is something you’re always aware of and feel that sense of pride about so to have my song included is a real pinch-me moment.

“Since I released Wellerman, things have obviously changed dramatically for me but this is the icing on the cake and I can’t wait to see the song come to life as part of the amazing performances this summer.”

This year’s Tattoo performances will run from 2-24 August, with guests from around the world coming to experience the Journeys Show.

For fans eager to see the special performance of Wellerman alongside other world-class acts from across the globe, special preview night tickets are on sale from TODAY Monday 24 June, with up to 50% off standard ticket prices.

Journeys will celebrate the journey of connection through music, dance, culture, and military traditions.

The Show will be the third under the Tattoo’s bold brand proposition, Performance in a New Light, and will follow the successes of the last two years shows, Voices and Stories, under creative Director Michael Braithwaite Journeys merges the traditional military elements that the Tattoo is known and loved for, with modern touches through creative projection, technology, costume design and music inspirations.

Michael Braithwaite, Creative Director of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, says “While the Tattoo has a proud history of the very finest world-class military and civilian performances; innovation and Scottish culture have also been a core tradition of the show since its first days.

Nathan’s much-deserved success and passion for Scottish music represent everything we hold dear at the Tattoo. He has taken a 19th century sea shanty and brought it to the modern era to great acclaim. We are thrilled to be presenting Wellerman, as a feature with the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines, our lead service, and a highlight of the journey our audience will embark upon this year.”

The Castle Esplanade will be filled with over 800 international performers from far and wide to showcase their epic journey, through vibrant dance, music, visual artistry and so much more.

Expressing their unique cultures, this Show will host talents from the USA, India, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, and homegrown acts from around the UK. Through an artistic odyssey, expect a wide variety of enthralling action featuring world-leading talent.

With the Royal Navy as lead service, the Show will pay homage to the seafarers that brave the ocean to travel across continents bringing people and cultures together

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone, 0131 225 1188. The Show will run from 2-24 August 2024, with Presenting Partner, Innis & Gunn, offering a bar service at the event.

Tickets for 2025’s Show celebrating the 75th Anniversary of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will go on sale in August during Journeys.

Drivers: Prepare well for New Year journeys

With New Year celebrations taking place over the next few days and many travelling across the country for festivities it’s important drivers feel prepared for their journey.

Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar comments: “As the year draws to a close, many may be driving to celebrate the new year with friends and family across the country.

“The roads are likely to be very busy and many will be doing all they can to make sure they arrive safely to their festivities. Our research shows that 38% of drivers travel by car during bank holidays, and with the new year the last one of the year many are likely to be getting ready to celebrate.

“For those that have plans to travel throughout the holidays, there are some important things to stay aware of to make the journey as easy as possible.

“Forward planning can help drivers to avoid congested roads or peak travel times, which can in turn help with reducing their fuel consumption.

“Drivers should also check their tyre pressure and oil levels to avoid any unnecessary stops or breakdowns along their way.

“It’s important to stay mindful of driving by taking breaks when needed and making sure to be well rested. Our tips for travelling will ensure drivers are ready to get around to New Year celebrations safely.”

Photography project inspires West African women to tell their stories at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery

A mentorship programme at the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) has given six West African women the opportunity to tell their unheard life stories through the medium of photography.

Charting their individual physical, mental and spiritual journeys, the photographs will be on display at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery until 8 January 2023.

Today (5 December), the mentees celebrated the publication of a brand-new book. Titled Putting Ourselves in the Picture, the book includes a compelling selection of their photographs created during the mentorship programme.

Designed to develop the skills and confidence of six women, the mentorship programme involved using photography as a means of storytelling, learning how to make photographs using cameras and experimenting with photographic techniques such as collage and photograms.

The weekly sessions were coordinated by workshop leader Sam Rutherford and photographer Wendy McMurdo along with Chief Curator Anne Lyden.

The group took part in a series of workshops held every Monday at North Edinburgh Arts in Autumn 2021. Working with guest facilitator, Morwenna Kearsley, they learned how to use their new DSLR cameras, which they continue to use in their photographic practice.

Now settled in Scotland and residents of North Edinburgh, the mentees who took part chose a subject close to their heart to capture on camera.

The diverse themes explored by the mentees include:

  • Lovelin’s battle with bureaucracy to obtain settled status in the UK.
  • Maureen’s adjustment to high-rise living and comparing her new life in Scotland to her home country, Nigeria.
  • Linda, from Ghana, examined the challenges she overcame in learning how to drive, which was essential for her independence in Scotland.
  • Grace, an Evangelist from Nigeria, captured her experience of preaching about Jesus in Edinburgh.
  • Nwanyi’s motivation and study toward the establishment of her law career in Scotland.
  • Hannah’s weight-loss journey through walking, which helped improve her mental wellbeing during the pandemic.

The photographs along with statements from each of the women are on display in the exhibition You Are Here.

NGS’ mentorship programme was part of a pioneering nationwide project, Putting Ourselves in the Picture. Led by Professor Anna Fox, director and founding member of Fast Forward: Women in Photography, the programme was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, part of the UK Research Initiative. 

Putting Ourselves in the Picture is driven by women from communities around the UK. Alongside NGS, it has enabled several organisations—Impressions Gallery, Bradford; Autograph, London; Women for Refugee Women and WorkShowGrow to support marginalised women and non-binary individuals through the means of photography. The mentees were also the subjects of films and podcasts commissioned by Putting Ourselves in the Picture.

The new hardback publication Putting Ourselves in the Picture brings together photographs and creative writing produced by NGS’ mentorship group, alongside work created by sixteen other women working with our project partners across the UK. The powerful narratives and inspiring images that emerge from the pages of this book confront gender discrimination and the marginalisation of women in our societies. 

Running throughout 2022 at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, You Are Here amplifies the ways in which communities can engage with art to benefit their health and wellbeing. Drawing upon collaborative projects between NGS and partner organisations across Scotland, identity and belonging are at the forefront of this exhibition.

Anna Fox said: “This is a storytelling project of immense value and importance. I am bowled over by the powerful stories on display at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, which also feature in this new book.

“The wonderful book is the result of an 18 month-long project which saw five amazing partner organisations, a dozen photographers and educators, and 21 mentees, come together in collaboration.”

Anne Lyden said: “The mentees shared their experiences as African immigrants to Scotland with us, trusting us with their stories and offering insight into a vital community located in North Edinburgh.

“It is a huge privilege to celebrate the culmination of the mentorship programme today with Lovelin, Maureen, Linda, Grace, Nwanyi, and Hannah.”

PICTURES: Neil Hanna