This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Edinburgh Tattoo goes Down Under
10/01/2005
First Minister Jack McConnell today paid tribute to the
success of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo as some of its
performers left for Australia to take in a special show
being staged in Sydney next month.
He offered the internationally-acclaimed Tattoo his best
wishes as the finishing touches were put to rehearsals for
what will be the first-ever appearance in Australia.
Over 1,300 performers, including military and civilian
bands from five countries, will perform on six nights
from February 3-8 to crowds of 30,000 each evening.
It is only the second time in the Tattoo's 54-year
history that the event will be staged away from its home in
Edinburgh Castle.
The First Minister presented the musicians with a
special Scottish gift (A Saltire and a bronze statue of
Edinburgh Castle) for presentation to his Australian
equivalent, the Governor General of Australia, Major
General Michael Jeffrey.
Mr McConnell said:
"One of the most exciting and memorable experiences
Scotland has to offer visitors is the annual Edinburgh
Military Tattoo.
"Every August, thousands of people from across the world
come to enjoy this spectacle, while millions more watch it
on television. It is an integral part of the world's
biggest and best international festival.
"I am delighted that the Tattoo is travelling to Sydney
so that many more people can enjoy the sights and sounds of
this spectacular event.
"I've no doubt its presence down under will act as a
fantastic advert for Scotland, and encourage more
Australians to visit the best small country in the
world."
In 2000, Wellington's Westpac Trust Stadium in New
Zealand was the only other location for an overseas Tattoo
performance.
Eleven million people have attended live performances of
the Tattoo since its inception, while 100 million people
worldwide enjoy the event annually on the television.
Every year 217,000 people come to the Edinburgh Military
Tattoo. Last New Year's Day over 1.3 million Australian
viewers enjoyed the 2003 Tattoo broadcast on ABC.
Last year, 107,000 trips were made by Australian
visitors to Scotland which equated to 1.2 million
bed-nights and expenditure of £47million.