Perth is getting its own military tattoo this summer, The Courier can reveal.
Council leaders are in talks with the team behind the prestigious Edinburgh Castle event to bring a scaled-down show to the Fair City.
Around 600 performers are expected to take part in the mini-Tattoo, including the world renowned King’s Guard of Norway.
The show has been scheduled for August and will tie in with celebrations to mark the 750th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Perth.
The historic document ended a bitter conflict between Scotland and Norway and a copy will go on show in the city later this year.
The planned Tattoo has been hailed as another major gain for Perth, which will also be hosting the highly anticipated Weeping Window poppy display around the same time.
The armistice-themed sculpture, which features thousands of ceramic red flowers, will go on show at the city’s Black Watch museum from the end of June.
It is understood the tattoo performance will take place in sight of the poppies on the North Inch.
Councillor John Kellas, who is convenor of the enterprise and infrastructure committee, said: “The tattoo should be something quite spectacular.
“Anything like this, which draws people into Perth and gives us the opportunity to show what we have to offer, is to be warmly welcomed.”
The plan was approved at a meeting between council officers and the provost last week.
They agreed to accept an offer from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to stage a scaled-down version of the show in Perth on Sunday, August 21.
It will cost the local authority around £10,000 to stage the event.
In her report to councillors, team leader of civic and members’ services Rosemary Hughes said there are also celebrations planned to mark the anniversaries of four of the city’s significant twinning agreements, linking Perth with Aschaffenburg in Germany; Cognac in France; Pskvo, Russia and most recently Perth in Ontario, Canada.
Ms Hughes said: “As part of the celebrations, it is proposed to hold an event in St John’s Kirk, where the treaty was signed. The format would be similar to the Provost’s suppers held each January, with traditional food and music entertainment.”
The £5,500 supper, which will be held on the night of the tattoo, will featuring 130 invited guests including mayors from twinned towns and representatives from Norway.
Groups involved in all other active twinning links throughout Perthshire – including the famous Dull and Boring, Oregan, connection – will also be invited to take part.
