Lynsey Fusco, director of marketing and communications at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, says they chose the aerial theme not simply to pay homage to the Royal Air Force for protecting the skies, but also to encourage young people to avoid placing limits on themselves and reach their true potential.

Featuring performers dressed in national costume-the glengarry, waistcoat and kilt-the event showcases authentic Scottish dancing and music characterized by the bagpipes and drums.

Apart from the recurring performance of the massed pipes and drums, the event also celebrates international cultures by inviting different military bands and performance troupes from around the world to take part, including Malawi, Oman, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the United States.