The Edinburgh Tattoo

[mazie]

Blows me away every year! Did anyone see it on BBC1 tonight? Brilliant as usual.

[Barmaid]

We caught the end of it. Absolutely stunning. Mr BM couldn't keep his eyes off those young ladies in the short skirts though. He reckoned he was amazed at their precision. Hmmmmmmm.

[nungate]

Yes. Have you ever been to see it live?
My lot get so fed up with me every year as I complain about them talking over the Black Bear at the end!

[shoota]

Where is it from?

[mazie]

Mine was the same BM, they were Brilliant and the New Zealand band is always excellent. Have you ever been to the Tattoo? A great present for Mr BM next year maybe?

[mazie]

Went 4 years ago nungate...And Loved every minute. I didn't want it to end... It Peed it down but we didn't care. The atmosphere is electric.

ps. Just sent you an e-mail x

[mazie]

Glasgow shoota ;o)

[nungate]

I'll get onto that Mazie.
Last time I was there I was soaked through - not a part of me was dry, thoroughly enjoyed myself!
Loved the Mexican contingent! Mr N was a bit baffled by the Mongolian army!

[carrust]

1 bagpipe is bad enough never mind 200 of 'em....sheer torture for me...

[mazie]

LOL carrust. I went to the national championships in Pitlochry a few years ago and listened to the pipes and drums all day....I love em

[boxtops]

No, I forgot it tonight. Edinburgh Castle is such a marvellous setting.

[anneasquith]

I saw it live for the first time a few years ago. very enjoyable, but I had one criticism, it wasn't Scottish enough !!!!!!!!!!!! but it is the international tattoo.

[mazie]

The New Zealand Band are one of my favourites, we saw them when we were there 4 years ago. Was up in Edinburgh at the start of the Festival and went into Kentucky Fried Chicken with the kids,,,,It was full of the Gurkhas attending this years tattoo...They love their KFC :o)

[mazie]

That's the thing anne, I love the way all the nationalities come together, it makes it so special

[boxtops]

The Gurkhas are brilliant, there are loads of them in this corner of Kent.

[Barmaid]

I did think about that Mazie, I'd love to go.

[mazie]

It's brilliant boxy, the castle changes colour and id magnificent.It's also so much smaller than it seems on the TV..well I think it is, what do you think anne and nungate?

[mazie]

There is a really nice Hotel we stayed in called the Apex, which is about a 10 minute walk from the Castle. I booked it well in advance and think it cost about £110 for the 2 of us for the night...We had a great time. It was my Christmas present to the Old Man...Here's a link if you're interested.

http://www.apexhotels.co.uk/en/hotels/edinburgh/apex-waterloo-place-hotel/

[mazie]

They were so polite and dressed so smartly boxy, all in dark suits and the regimental ties..

[ferlew]

Loved it, apart from the men with funny yellow Lego hats.

[ChillDoubt]

Missed it due to work, will catch it on the iPlayer.
Having spent 2 years in a camp next door to the 1st Battalion Royal Scots bagpipes were never far away (once had to interview a private for GBH after he hit a colleague on the head with a chanter, resulting in a 3 cm wound!) and I do enjoy the Pipes and Drums, they're very stirring and The Black Bear is such an iconic piece.