Brass band’s New Zealand haka dance rocks the boat

By Michael MacLeod and Christine Lavelle

NEW ZEALAND’S army band leapt into action today as they practiced their Haka-style show ahead of the Edinburgh Tattoo.

The 28-piece band boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia for a rehearsal with a difference and literally rocked the boat.

Often downing their trumpets and horns, the band shouted and sang their way through a rugby-style chant before marching around the ship’s deck.

The band is set to be among the stars of the show at this summer’s 60th anniversary of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Stellar new line-up unveiled for Edinburgh Tattoo 2009

By Michael MacLeod

RUNRIG’S founder member is penning a new song for this year’s Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Organisers are promising the show will be the “best ever” in its 60 year history.

Accordion player Blair Douglas, a living legend in Scots traditional music for his role in forming Runrig, has been commissioned by Tattoo bosses to compose the centrepiece to the world-famous event.

And it was announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the massive pipe-band production will be going down-under to Australia to play in Sydney’s huge football stadium in February.

Major new additions to the programme were unveiled yesterday to mark the show’s 60th anniversary.