EDINBURGH SPECTACLE.

VISITORS from all over the world are thrilled each year by the sheer spectacle of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo held on the esplanade against the magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

I took a five day coach tour, which involved one day in Scotland’s capital city.  We arrived at the Duke of Gordon Hotel for dinner, followed by a night of Highland entertainment.

Next day we visited Moniack Winery, where some of the finest wines, liqueurs and preserves in Scotland are produced.  The afternoon took us to Inverness with its Highland and Culloden Museum.

This was the big day.  We went to Edinburgh and spent time exploring and sampling the shops, bars, museums and galleries.  That night we were up on the esplanade to watch the largest gathering of military musicians in Britain.  The massed pipes and bands marched and countermarched through the arena and the haunting strains of the Lone Piper, high up on the castle ramparts brought the night to a close as only he can.  The massed pipes and bands marched away through Edinburgh and into the night.

Day fur was a late breakfast and a lazy morning followed by a visit to a distillery to watch Scotland’s favourite export being produced.  We were piped into the Balmoral Restaurant for dinner and later enjoyed an evening of Highland Dancing.

On the final day we returned home after breakfast, but I will never forget this spectacle.  As a former marine, I was impressed both by the precision of the marching and the hard work, training and preparation that went into making all this possible.