Edinburgh
Wednesday 18 June 2008
The Tartan Mill
The Tartan Weaving Mill & free Exhibition, is situated in the Edinburgh Old Town Weaving Co. right next door to Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
You can feel and touch the threads that are prepared for weaving, see and hear the amazing high speed powerlooms in action. At our weaver's cottage you can meet a real craftsman and then have a go at making some tartan cloth yourself - a great photo opportunity for your friends and family!
Take your time to enjoy the full exhibition which shows how tartan is woven, from the moment when the sheep is sheared right upto the making of a kilt and the history of Highland Dress Through the Ages.
You can feel and touch the threads that are prepared for weaving, see and hear the amazing high speed powerlooms in action. At our weaver's cottage you can meet a real craftsman and then have a go at making some tartan cloth yourself - a great photo opportunity for your friends and family!
Take your time to enjoy the full exhibition which shows how tartan is woven, from the moment when the sheep is sheared right upto the making of a kilt and the history of Highland Dress Through the Ages.
Edinburgh Poet Allan Ramsey's House
This is the house the 18th-century poet Allan Ramsay built for himself, known as Goose Pie House because of its peculiar octagonal shape, now much altered. Some of the extensions and alterations were undertaken by Patrick Geddes-the man responsible for preserving much of the Royal Mile, and a pioneer of town planning-who lived here towards the end of the last century.
The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre offers 45-minute guided tours round an exhibition and video on the history of the water of life. Included is a 15-minute ride in a barrel (available separately but hardly worth it) round odourized and illuminated tableaux illustrating that story. The slightly patronising commentary obviously avoids the down-side of alcohol abuse. Some of the scenes are quite comical: look out for Sir Walter Scott's horrified expression at the kilted King George IV's rubicund appearance. The whole experience should succeed in giving you a thirst for the stuff, available in great variety at the themed bar downstairs. Your ticket entitles you to a free dram of the society's choosing and there's also a decent Café for lunch.
History of the Tattoo
The first Edinburgh Tattoo took place in 1950. There were eight items in the programme.
More than 12 million people have attended the Tattoo. The annual audience is around 217,000.
Around 100 million people see the Tattoo each year on international television.
Approximately 70 per cent of each audience is from outwith Scotland. Half of these are from overseas.
Each year 100,000 people visit the Tattoo's new attraction at the top of the Royal Mile. The Spirt of the Tattoo - the compelling story of Edinburgh's Military Tattoo, featuring an interactive exhibition, movie theatre and gift shop.
The first commercial twelve inch stereo LP record of the Tattoo was released in 1961.
2007 marked the Tattoo’s ninth successive sell-out season, generating some £4.8 million in box office receipts.
Around 35 miles of cabling (the distance from Edinburgh to Glasgow) is required.
The event was first seen in colour on TV in 1968.
From 1950 to 1991, there were four producers - Lt Col George Malcolm of Poltalloch, Brigadier MacLean, Brigadier Sanderson and Lt Col Dow.
Major Michael Parker then took over as producer for the 1992, 1993 and 1994 Tattoos. He was succeeded by Brigadier Melville Jameson in 1995. who in turn was followed by Major General Euan Loudon in March 2007.
The first overseas regiment to participate was the Band of the Royal Netherlands Grenadiers. The year was 1952, and there were also performers from Canada and France.
The first lone piper was Pipe Major George Stoddart. He played in every performance for the first eleven years. His son, Major Gavin Stoddart, followed his father as lone piper at the Tattoo and became Director of Army Bagpipe Music for 12 years.
Hollywood movie producer Mike Todd, the fourth husband of film star Elizabeth Taylor, made a documentary programme on the Tattoo in 1950.
Not a single performance of the Tattoo has ever been cancelled.
The Tattoo is set up and run for charitable purposes. Over the years, it has gifted some £5 million to service and civilian organisations.
At the last official independent count, visitors to the Tattoo contributed an estimated £88 million to the Scottish economy.
The Tattoo has always been staged at Edinburgh Castle. Rehearsals take place at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh.
Over 40 countries have been represented at the Tattoo.
The word ‘tattoo’ comes from the closing-time cry in the inns in the Low Countries during the 17th and 18th centuries - ‘Doe den tap toe’ (‘Turn off the Taps").
More than 12 million people have attended the Tattoo. The annual audience is around 217,000.
Around 100 million people see the Tattoo each year on international television.
Approximately 70 per cent of each audience is from outwith Scotland. Half of these are from overseas.
Each year 100,000 people visit the Tattoo's new attraction at the top of the Royal Mile. The Spirt of the Tattoo - the compelling story of Edinburgh's Military Tattoo, featuring an interactive exhibition, movie theatre and gift shop.
The first commercial twelve inch stereo LP record of the Tattoo was released in 1961.
2007 marked the Tattoo’s ninth successive sell-out season, generating some £4.8 million in box office receipts.
Around 35 miles of cabling (the distance from Edinburgh to Glasgow) is required.
The event was first seen in colour on TV in 1968.
From 1950 to 1991, there were four producers - Lt Col George Malcolm of Poltalloch, Brigadier MacLean, Brigadier Sanderson and Lt Col Dow.
Major Michael Parker then took over as producer for the 1992, 1993 and 1994 Tattoos. He was succeeded by Brigadier Melville Jameson in 1995. who in turn was followed by Major General Euan Loudon in March 2007.
The first overseas regiment to participate was the Band of the Royal Netherlands Grenadiers. The year was 1952, and there were also performers from Canada and France.
The first lone piper was Pipe Major George Stoddart. He played in every performance for the first eleven years. His son, Major Gavin Stoddart, followed his father as lone piper at the Tattoo and became Director of Army Bagpipe Music for 12 years.
Hollywood movie producer Mike Todd, the fourth husband of film star Elizabeth Taylor, made a documentary programme on the Tattoo in 1950.
Not a single performance of the Tattoo has ever been cancelled.
The Tattoo is set up and run for charitable purposes. Over the years, it has gifted some £5 million to service and civilian organisations.
At the last official independent count, visitors to the Tattoo contributed an estimated £88 million to the Scottish economy.
The Tattoo has always been staged at Edinburgh Castle. Rehearsals take place at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh.
Over 40 countries have been represented at the Tattoo.
The word ‘tattoo’ comes from the closing-time cry in the inns in the Low Countries during the 17th and 18th centuries - ‘Doe den tap toe’ (‘Turn off the Taps").
Participants in the Edinburgh Tattoo.
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Pipes & Drums
The Royal Corps of Signals
Pipes & Drums
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Pipes & Drums
2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles
Pipes & Drums
Scottish Universities Officers Training Corps
Pipes & Drums
The Imps Motor Cycle Display Team
Motor Cycling Display
The Mounted Band of the Blues and Royals
Military Band
The Light Cavalry Band
Military Band
The Royal Artillery Band
Military Band
Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
Military Band
Highland Spring Dancers
Highland Dance
The Tattoo Choir (Kevock Choir)
Choir
Royal Air Force Regiment
Fanfare Trumpeters and Massed Bands
1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers
Pipes & Drums, Highland & Country Dancing
1st Battalion The King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Pipes & Drums, Massed Bands
1st Battalion The Black Watch
Pipes & Drums, Regimental Band, Highland & Country Dancing
The Gordon Highlanders
Historical Item – Raising of the Gordon Highlanders
The Women’s Royal Naval Service
Highland & Country Dancing
The Women’s Royal Army Corps
Highland & Country Dancing
The Women’s Royal Air Force
Highland & Country Dancing
Representative of Scottish Division
Highland & Country Dancing
Royal Artillery Motor Cycle Display Team
Motorcycle Display
The Royal Navy Sea Cadet Corps
Naval Display
Royal Marines School of Music
Fanfare Trumpeters, Massed Bands
4th Royal Tank Regiment
Pipes & Drums
2nd Battalion Scots Guards
Pipes & Drums
1st Battalion The Royal Scots
Pipes & Drums, 350 years of Royal Scots Celebrations
Composite Pipes & Drums from Scottish Universities
Pipes & Drums
Boys Brigade Edinburgh Battalion
Pipes & Drums
Royal Engineers
Light Wheeled Tractor, Medium Girder Bridge Competition
Royal Army Veterinary Corps Training Centre
Detection of Mines
Pipes & Drums
The Royal Corps of Signals
Pipes & Drums
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Pipes & Drums
2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles
Pipes & Drums
Scottish Universities Officers Training Corps
Pipes & Drums
The Imps Motor Cycle Display Team
Motor Cycling Display
The Mounted Band of the Blues and Royals
Military Band
The Light Cavalry Band
Military Band
The Royal Artillery Band
Military Band
Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
Military Band
Highland Spring Dancers
Highland Dance
The Tattoo Choir (Kevock Choir)
Choir
Royal Air Force Regiment
Fanfare Trumpeters and Massed Bands
1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers
Pipes & Drums, Highland & Country Dancing
1st Battalion The King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Pipes & Drums, Massed Bands
1st Battalion The Black Watch
Pipes & Drums, Regimental Band, Highland & Country Dancing
The Gordon Highlanders
Historical Item – Raising of the Gordon Highlanders
The Women’s Royal Naval Service
Highland & Country Dancing
The Women’s Royal Army Corps
Highland & Country Dancing
The Women’s Royal Air Force
Highland & Country Dancing
Representative of Scottish Division
Highland & Country Dancing
Royal Artillery Motor Cycle Display Team
Motorcycle Display
The Royal Navy Sea Cadet Corps
Naval Display
Royal Marines School of Music
Fanfare Trumpeters, Massed Bands
4th Royal Tank Regiment
Pipes & Drums
2nd Battalion Scots Guards
Pipes & Drums
1st Battalion The Royal Scots
Pipes & Drums, 350 years of Royal Scots Celebrations
Composite Pipes & Drums from Scottish Universities
Pipes & Drums
Boys Brigade Edinburgh Battalion
Pipes & Drums
Royal Engineers
Light Wheeled Tractor, Medium Girder Bridge Competition
Royal Army Veterinary Corps Training Centre
Detection of Mines
Edinburgh Festival through the years-the history and excitment
Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for several simultaneous arts and cultural festivals which take place during August each year in Edinburgh, Scotland. These festivals are arranged by a number of formally unrelated organizations, meaning there is no single event officially termed the Edinburgh Festival.
The Edinburgh Festival, which holds the world record for the largest arts festival in the world, traces its roots to 1947, when the edinburgh International Festival (EIF) was established in a post-war effort to "provide a platform for the flowering of the human spirit". That same year, eight theatrical companies "gatecrashed" the Festival by organizing their own event, outside the official auspices of the EIF; this started the movement which grew into the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The EFF is also referred to as the edinburgh Fringe, the Fringe, or, incorrectly, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The EIF and the Fringe remain independent bodies, and organize separate programmes each year. Over the period since 1947, several other Festivals have also been established in Edinburgh - with most of them similarly taking place around August each year. There is therefore not one Edinburgh Festival, but a collection of independent Festivals which happen to take place in the same city at the same time.
The Edinburgh Festival, which holds the world record for the largest arts festival in the world, traces its roots to 1947, when the edinburgh International Festival (EIF) was established in a post-war effort to "provide a platform for the flowering of the human spirit". That same year, eight theatrical companies "gatecrashed" the Festival by organizing their own event, outside the official auspices of the EIF; this started the movement which grew into the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The EFF is also referred to as the edinburgh Fringe, the Fringe, or, incorrectly, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The EIF and the Fringe remain independent bodies, and organize separate programmes each year. Over the period since 1947, several other Festivals have also been established in Edinburgh - with most of them similarly taking place around August each year. There is therefore not one Edinburgh Festival, but a collection of independent Festivals which happen to take place in the same city at the same time.
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