Tattoo grandstand plans unveiled

Plans for a new £16m replacement grandstand for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo have been unveiled.

The new stands, which should be in place by summer 2011, will have modern seating, improved corporate hospitality facilities and retail areas.

Organisers hope the time it takes to erect and dismantle the stands will be significantly reduced.

The new arena will replace the 35-year-old structure, based on a system used for the 1972 Munich Olympics.

The plans were unveiled as Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop announced that the Scottish government and Scottish Enterprise had agreed to pay £3m towards the project.

This sum matches the £3m already set aside for the new development by Edinburgh City Council.

The council has also secured a low-interest £6m loan which the Tattoo will pay back.

The remaining £4m funding will come from Tattoo revenues.

Ms Hyslop said: "Edinburgh's spectacular and world-renowned Military Tattoo, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, raises the international profile of Scotland, showcasing our creative talent and bringing significant economic benefits to the capital and Scotland as a whole."

She added that new arena would "enhance" Edinburgh's reputation as the world's pre-eminent festival city.

George Grubb, Edinburgh's Lord Provost and chairman of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: "The council was pleased to be able to contribute towards the new arena and it is very exciting to see work now getting under way."

Major General Euan Loudon, Tattoo chief executive and producer, said: "We are delighted that the Scottish government has now confirmed its financial commitment to the new stands project, which I'm happy to report is proceeding apace.

"We would also like to acknowledge the support received from Edinburgh City Council with this imaginative new development, which we aim to deliver for our August 2011 Tattoo production."

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Edinburgh Military Tattoo
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