A Moray business has stepped in at the eleventh hour to back a spectacle honouring the north’s military past after the council shot down a request for funds.
Moray Council was criticised by organisers of the Highland Military Tattoo last week after members voted against contributing £4,000 to the event at Fort George in Inverness over the next two years.
The grant application was denied due to a perceived lack of viable economic interest for Moray and because any profits will go towards armed force charities.
This contradicts the local authority’s award scheme which demands that all proceeds from a supported project must be reinvested or returned to the council as a profit percentage.
However, the disappointment of that knockback was short-lived as Moray Estates agreed to supply the cash.
Director of the Tattoo Major General Seymour Monro said: “We are extremely grateful to Moray Estates for doing this.
“It means that Moray Estates, along with a lot of other people, really recognise the benefits the Tattoo brings to Moray, especially the youngsters, with almost 50% of the performers, as well as many of the spectators and volunteers coming from Moray.
“It may be a small event at the moment, but as our profile rises, we will start to attract more and more people to come to the Tattoo and enjoy a holiday in Moray and the Highlands at this time of year, so this is hugely important to the contractors, the retailers and all those involved in the tourist industry as well.”
Andrew Howard, managing director of Moray Estates, said: “The Tattoo is a great opportunity to put the area of the map.
“It’s not only exciting to see and enjoy, it’s another way of highlighting this part of the world.
“Moray has a strong military tradition with the airforces and the communities surrounding the bases, so we acted to step up and help.”
The Royal Regiment of Artillery Band and the Highlanders’ Pipes and Drums will prelude the Tattoo with a performance in Elgin High Street next Friday at noon.
The event itself takes place at Fort George next weekend, September 11-13. Doors open at 5pm each evening for an 8pm start, and there will be an additional matinee on Saturday afternoon, with doors opening at 1pm for a 3pm start.
Tickets are available by via Ticketline on 0844 888 9991 or online and can also be ordered from Eden Court box office and the Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George.