Navy helicopters take photos of regimental band at Arthur's Seat

Published on Saturday 30 May 2009 11:18

THE ROYAL Navy helicopter hovering over Arthur's Seat sparked fears that it had been called to an emergency rescue.

But it was photographers, not rescue workers, on board the Sea King that had flown over from the Navy base in Prestwick.

While most of us are content to point a camera in the right direction and click, the Army staged the elaborate photo shoot in Holyrood Park yesterday morning.

They were photographing members of the band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, ahead of several high-profile appearances in the next week.

The 28 musicians posed for the pictures on Salisbury Crags, wearing their full uniform, against a backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. They will be performing for Prince Charles at Holyrood Palace next week, as well as appearing at a ceremony at Edinburgh Castle.

An Army spokesman explained that the helicopter crew had offered to help, as a way of practising their aerial photography skills.

He said: "The Royal Navy helicopter was on a photo reconnaissance exercise, and took the opportunity to take photographs of the band. They do these exercises every three months as part of their search and rescue duties.

"If there's an accident and the helicopter can see it but is not able to land, they take photographs to pass on to rescue workers."

The fleet of Sea King helicopters provide search and rescue cover to most of the Scottish coastline, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

The musicians will be travelling all over Scotland for performances in the next two months, before playing at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August.

The helicopter set off yesterday morning from HMS Gannet, in Prestwick. It stopped at HM Naval Base Clyde, at Faslane, to pick up the Royal Navy photographers.

The Royal Regiment's bandmaster Jeremy Ansell said they were pleased that the helicopter crew had been able to help out.

He said: "Every now and again the personalities in the band change, so we've got to have new photos for publicity.

"This is a busy time of year for us. We've got a gun salute at Edinburgh Castle in readiness for the Queen's arrival in June. And the pipes and drums will be performing at Holyrood Palace next week during Prince Charles' visit. We're also providing musical support for the Army careers exhibition in Glasgow next week, then moving up to Inverness and Dundee."