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PRESS
RELEASES
Scotland's
First Minister to bid farewell to Tattoo performers bound for
Australia
Posted
10th January 2005
At
10.00am on Monday January 10th at the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle,
Scotland's First Minister, the Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP, personally
offered elements of the Scottish contingent of the internationally
acclaimed Edinburgh Tattoo his best wishes as they put the finishing
touches to their rehearsals for the Edinburgh Tattoo's 'Salute
to Australia' at Sydney's Aussie Stadium from 3-8 February 2005.
Around
60 musicians, including the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines
Scotland and Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band, together
with Tattoo Chief Executive and Producer, Brigadier Mel Jameson,
were in attendance that morning.
Tattoo
Producer, Brigadier Mel Jameson, said: "This is one of the
largest contingents of Pipes & Drums and Military Bands from
Scotland and the UK ever to leave these shores."
"It
provides a unique opportunity to fly the flag Down Under."
This
is only the second time in the Tattoo's history that the world-class
event will be staged away from its home at Edinburgh Castle. In
2000, Wellington's Westpac Trust Stadium in New Zealand enjoyed
this honour.
The
largest gathering of pipes & drums and military bands ever
to perform overseas will be among the 300-strong British-based
performers taking their unique brand of entertainment to the southern
hemisphere.
The
complete cast for Australia of more than 1200 performers will
include some of the world's finest musicians from Australia, New
Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA along
with 200 top-flight Highland dancers from across Australia and
Scotland.
They
will perform to 160,000 spectators over 5 nights at Sydney's Aussie
Stadium where a dramatic replica backdrop of Edinburgh Castle
has been built to help capture the essential magic of the presentation
that only the Edinburgh Tattoo can create.
And
they will be joined by considerably more throughout Australia
who will enjoy the highlights on national television.
Chief
Executive of Scotland's National Tourism Board, VisitScotland's
Philip Riddle, said: "VisitScotland is proud to be associated
with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and we look forward to joining
forces with the event in Australia to promote Scotland on the
world stage."
"The
Tattoo is an outstanding cultural spectacle which puts Scotland
on the map, and I've no doubt its presence down under will act
as a fantastic advert and hopefully encourage more Australians
to visit Scotland in future."
For
further information, please contact:
The
Tattoo Office Tel: 0131 225 4783
32 Market Street Fax: 0131-225 8627
Edinburgh EH1 1QB Web. www.edintattoo.co.uk
Email: administration@edintattoo.co.uk
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