Sneak preview of this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

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Performers from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo give a preview of this year's show on the Castle Esplanade

Performers from this year's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo have given tourists a sneak preview at Edinburgh Castle of what is on offer this summer.

The event, which has been staged for six decades, features more than 1,200 entertainers from around the globe.

Organisers estimate its three week run, which begins on Friday, is worth £100m to the Scottish economy.

This year's event has an East Meets West theme and finishes on Saturday 29 August.

Performers held a preview on Edinburgh Castle Esplanade earlier.

The Swiss Top Secret Drum Corps from Basel will be performing with percussion and pyrotechnics.

This year's show opens with a specially-written East Meets West fanfare, composed and by the Tattoo's Principal Arranger Michael McDermott.

Making a first visit to Edinburgh, Changxing Lotus Dragon Dance Folklore Group will tell a story, through dance and music, of a dragon emerging from a pond covered in lotus flowers.

The legend has been presented in China for many years to help promote the prospect of good crops and wider prosperity.

The Dragon Dancers are joined by other Tattoo first-timers, the United States Air Force Honour Guard, with a display of precision drill.

In a major Battle of Britain programme, the Massed Bands of the Royal Air Force with the Queen's Colour Squadron will perform their displays.

There will also be the traditional march across Edinburgh Castle drawbridge by the Massed Pipes and Drums.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said: "Once again The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will place Scotland on the world stage, showcasing our rich cultural heritage to thousands of people across the world.

"Through Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, we are pleased to support The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoos collaboration with The Edinburgh Mela to bring Bollywood to the esplanade this August."

Brigadier David Allfrey, chief executive and producer, said: "This year's show is remarkable in so many ways. It is bringing together some traditional allies and some new friends.

"Some acts have taken a number of years to secure and we are delighted that a huge cast has come together from across the world, so elegantly and with such a sense of common purpose.

"The event also generates more than £100m for the Scottish economy and supports, in large measure, Services and Arts charitable causes each year."

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