Tattoo

This evening we managed to get tickets for the preview of the annual Edinburgh Tattoo. As always it was a mixture of music, marching, dancing and displays both from Scots and people from throughout the world. There were some spectacular dances and colourful performers which even included Joey the Warhorse but probably the band which drew the most applause was that from New Zealand with their Gangnam style movements. It has been difficult to choose my blip but as the castle provided a spectacular backdrop for the projected images which included animals found in Scotland I have decided on the final event which often closes Scottish gatherings.

The origins of the word "Tattoo" go back to the 17th century when British troops were fighting in the Low Countries. At the end of the day the Duty Officer did the rounds of his unit's position checking that the sentry posts were manned. One or more drummers would accompany him. The First Post was sounded when he began his rounds. If the soldiers were billeted in a town, the ritual beating of the drums signalled that it was time to return to their quarters. Dutch innkeepers would then turn the liquor taps off - "DOE TEN TAP-TOE" - and the drums continued to beat for an hour to allow soldiers to make their way home before the Last Post was sounded. - Edinburgh Tattoo poster
Eventually the march became a kind of ritual display and so Edinburgh's Tattoo as its origins.

After the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" the hundreds of performers marched out of the arena to the sound of feet -"doe den tap toe." Although I think that after their hard work they hope that the taps are not turned off.