Princess Anne meets Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performers ahead of opening
Princess Anne has met performers of this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as they rehearsed ahead of this year's run of shows.
The Princess Royal chatted to military personnel involved on stage and behind the scenes at Redford Barracks as well as others who will help put on the show at Edinburgh Castle.
This year's production is titled A Call To Gather and features acts from around the world including from New Zealand, Qatar, and the USA.
The RAF is the lead for this year's show which will run from 8 August until 29 August.
Air Specialist (First Class) Addison Wray said: "It's fantastic – it's been a real joy to be here. It's really epic this year, so with all the show, the lights, the display, it's really great this year.
"This is my second time doing it and when you're out there, you kind of just get into the rhythm of things. You do so many rehearsals that you kind of know the display inside and out so you just go out there and have a bit of fun and enjoy the environment.
"I'm extremely proud to be here – it's fantastic to be representing the RAF, especially out on the Esplanade.
"It's a real honour."
More than 800 performers will make up this year's show on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade throughout the run.
The 2026 line-up includes the German Army Band, New Zealand Army Band, Qatar Police Academy Band and Drill Team, the US Army Field Band and the Vancouver Police Pipes and Drums.
The Royal Air Force Massed Military Bands, 154 (Scottish) Regiment Royal Logistic Corps Massed Pipes & Drums, The Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment and the 10th Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment Pipes and Drums are also taking part.
Senior Pipe Major Warrant Officer First Class Peter Grant said: "The preparations are going really well.
"We started last Saturday with the overseas bands then we had the military bands coming together to add to that on the Sunday and since then we've been practising all day into the evenings every day.
"It's all coming together really well.
"We make sure that the guys are playing the correct music, we're playing the right settings that we sign out months in advance and then it's all bringing it into the formations, making sure everybody's covered off, dressed off and they know where they're going."
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