Ian Smith (21.8.09) is correct, the Edinburgh Tattoo is held at Edinburgh Castle and is military based and does have fireworks at the conclusion but only on certain nights and bears little similarity to a tattoo held in Dunedin.
It is obvious, however, that he has not witnessed an Edinburgh Tattoo for some time.
There are seldom discharges from army howitzers and I believe it has been a while since the Royal Marines have manhandled ordinance into position at the castle.
Instead, the producer travels down under and invites bands like the New Zealand Army band, Invercargill Pipe Band, City of Dunedin Pipe Band and the Lochiel marching team to perform, and not only once.
I was present at the 2006 Edinburgh Tattoo and witnessed the accolades accorded to the NZ Army band for its performance.
The locals considered it the highlight of the evening.
These are the same performers that have been invited to Dunedin tattoos in the past and I hope for the next one.
The last tattoo in Dunedin was in 1998 at Carisbrook, which attracted a crowd of around 10,000 and received favourable comments by those who chose to attend.
Dunedin is known as the Edinburgh of the South but only lip service has been paid to promoting that image in previous years.
We celebrate Queen o' the Heather, Caledonian Games and the Celtic Festival.
To add to that list with a tattoo can only add to our Scottishness - and that is something that should not be knocked.
Neville Jemmett
Dunedin
[Abridged]
This week's winner, Neville Jemmett, of Dunedin, receives a copy of John Breen's River of Blood, Longacre Press, $39.99.
