Edinburgh Tattoo

As if living in Italy for work isn't rough enough...Nathan was sent to Edinburgh, Scotland for the month of August.  The US Naval Forces Europe Band was invited to participate in the Edinburgh Tattoo...it's like a huge marching band show...only with fireworks and other things mixed in.  It's supposedly the largest in Europe. 

Miles and I were initially planning on going up to see the show, but plane tickets into the UK were SO expensive (because of the Olympics) and Edinburgh is NOT cheap for hotels/food/etc...so we saved our € and stayed home in Italy.  

But in an attempt to quench my thirst for everything marching band, (that and I miss the hubbs) I've been scouring the web of videos, pics, etc from the show...here's some of what I've found.  

A news article HERE.

A video of their portion of the show: 

A time elapsed video of the entire tattoo:

And a few pictures: 

The massed bands all together...with Edinburgh Castle as the backdrop.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band director Lt. David Latour, left, leads the band as its conductor, as they play "Anchors Aweigh" for the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honorable David Wilson, outside the city chambers building, July 30. The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with musicians, dancers and bagpipers

from around the world coming to perform in the month long show. This year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed. U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band is a multi-service/multi-national musical organization responsible for performing throughout the continents of Europe and Africa. Public Domain

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band musicians march out onto Edinburgh castle’s esplanade while playing “Anchors Aweigh” during the second official show night for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Tonight marked the first official opening show for the month long tattoo. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo and this year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the show. Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Patrick Grieco (Released) Public Domain

All the bands in the big finale

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band musicians perform "Anchors Aweigh" as technicians project Navy imagery onto Edinburgh castle during a Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo dress rehearsal for charities and local Edinburgh citizens. This military tattoo brings together musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world to perform in Europe’s most prestigious military tattoo and this year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the show. Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Patrick Grieco (Released)

I have to admit...Nathan has a pretty cool job!