The best of the Royal Air Force past and present are featuring at this year’s Edinburgh Tattoo in a special tribute to the Battle of Britain.
Spectacular fly pasts and visuals will be accompanied by music from the RAF’s central band, pipers, drummers, singers, dancers and the much-acclaimed Swiss Top Secret Drum Corps to mark the famous conflict’s 75th anniversary.
The RAF has the lead for this year’s event, and the RAF Regiment’s Queen’s Colour Squadron provided the Royal Salute and are showcasing their world-record-holding continuity drill.
Set against the impressive backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, presentations at the 66th Tattoo will parade talent from four continents and over 48 countries.
The presence of a Spitfire Mark I in the arena acts as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the airmen whilst protecting the British skies in 1940.
Today’s guardians of the skies, the Typhoons of 1 (Fighter) Squadron – which form part of RAF Lossiemouth’s Quick Reaction Alert force – are also carrying out fly pasts for the annual event.
Commanding officer of the squadron, Wing Commander Michael Sutton, said: “The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of the showpiece events held in Scotland and is famous around the world.
“It is a great privilege to be able to support an occasion that demonstrates the enormous wealth of talent that the military has within its ranks.
“This year’s event is extra special for the RAF as it commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
“As the commanding officer of a squadron that was heavily involved in the fighting of 1940, the fly pasts will be a poignant salute to the sacrifices of my predecessors.”
Service personnel from RAF Lossiemouth are working behind the scenes this year as well. Transport, catering and photographic services have all been provided by servicemen and women from the Moray base.
Beginning last weekend, the Tattoo runs until August 29.
It is being televised in more than 40 countries to a worldwide audience of around 100 million and around 30% of visitors are from overseas.
Information and tickets can be found online at www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets