HRFCA and LRFCA hosted guests from across their respective areas at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo last night.
After a light supper in the Garrison Officers’ Mess and a welcome address from Lowland Chairman Colonel Allan Lapsley the party strolled down through the Castle, meeting a number of the participants behind the scenes before taking their seats for the show.
The audience was treated to a colourful and exciting naval-themed event, with performances from musicians and dancers from as far afield as Japan, the United States and India receiving an enthusiastic welcome from a packed Esplanade.
As well as the musical items, the show organisers managed to transform the arena into a simulated aircraft carrier flight deck, complete with Lynx helicopter and landing lights, setting the scene for a precision drill demonstration by the Queen’s Colour Squadron of the RAF Regiment, supported by the Band of the Royal Marines.
After a rousing conclusion featuring the pipes and drums, massed bands and all the performers in a rendition of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’, guests were thanked for coming by showrunner Brigadier David Allfrey MBE, and Principal Guest Air Marshal Sir Graham Stacey KBE CB was made a Clan Chieftain for the evening.
“You may think that this makes me a Chieftain,” he observed, “But try telling my wife!”
HRFCA’s guests included Seona Shand of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Gillian Black, Business Development Manager at Macdonald Hotels, Clackmannanshire Provost Tina Murphy, Elaine Middleton of the Career Transition Partnership, Anne Campbell from Oban-based John MacLachlan Ltd, and Douglas Millican, Chief Executive of Scottish Water.
