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Could new recruits help save the Highland Military Tattoo?

Highland Military Tattoo in 2014
Highland Military Tattoo in 2014

Bosses at the Highland Military Tattoo were increasingly “confident” over the future of the event last night after holding fresh talks and unveiling new recruits.

The board who run the Fort George-based showpiece met yesterday and are now expected to confirm that next year’s tattoo will go ahead when a final decision is taken later this month.

Hopes were raised last night as it was announced that Laurie Piper, operations manager for Moray Speyside Tourism, would join the ranks of the board to boost its profile, ticket sales and income.

A new marketing and publicity contract is expected to be awarded as well in the coming weeks, while a dedicated sponsorship and sales manager is also currently being recruited by the board.

Previously held at the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness, the event was scrapped after 60 years in 2011 due to cost-cutting measures, before being reborn in 2014 at Fort George.

But it emerged in October that a funding shortfall and poor ticket sales had thrown the future of Scotland’s second biggest military tattoo into doubt again, with organisers reporting a £40,000 loss over the last three years.

The board view the new appointments as key to safeguarding the show for the coming years, and hope to confirm the funds for the 2017 event at its next scheduled meeting on December 13.

Announcing Mr Piper’s appointment last night, tattoo director Major General Seymour Monro said: “We are delighted to welcome Laurie to our team.

“He is vastly experienced and we know he will make a tremendous contribution to our fantastic tattoo, which I am confident will go ahead next year.”

Mr Piper, who has previously worked on high profile events such as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations and the Fort William Mountain Bike World Championships, was enthusiastic and the tattoo’s future after his new position was confirmed last night.

“I’m delighted and honoured to be appointed to the tattoo board,” he said.

“It’s an exciting prospect and I’m keen to play my part in developing the tattoo into a long-term and sustainable event.”