A group of the armed forces’ most gifted musicians arrived on the streets of Elgin yesterday to celebrate Moray’s ties with the Highland Military Tattoo.
The Band of The Royal Marines Scotland marched from the end of West Road into the heart of the town, where they performed a selection of rousing tunes.
Hundreds of residents gathered around the town’s Plainstones to watch the ensemble, as the serving personnel demonstrated their musical prowess.
Tattoo organisers confirmed the performance had been arranged to mark the integral role which Moray’s military bases play in the annual bash, as well as offering a preview of this weekend’s Tattoo festivities.
During the event, nightly flypasts will be performed by jets from RAF Lossiemouth. And experts from the 39 Regiment Royal Engineers at Kinloss Barracks have made a replica gun turret from the HMS Chester, which will be used in a reenactment of the Battle of Jutland this weekend.
Tattoo director, Major General Seymour Monro, argued that the yearly gathering belonged to Moray as much as it did to the Highlands.
He said: “I’m very keen to stress that everybody in Moray realises that although the event is named the Highland Military Tattoo, it is in truth the Highlands and Moray Military Tattoo.
“As many of the performers come from Moray as from further north, and we are extremely grateful for that and for the support we get from businesses and people in this area.”
Major Monro was joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Grenville Johnstone, and local authority convener, Allan Wright, at the foot of St Giles Church to observe yesterday’s performance.
Mr Wright praised the “outstanding ” concert and echoed Major Monro’s views, regarding the pivotal part Moray plays in the Tattoo.
He added: “We are very happy to be part of the Highland Military Tattoo, and having this preview for the people of Moray to enjoy is a great way of marking that.
“The Marines gave an outstanding concert, and you could see how much the people enjoyed it.”