City 'too dangerous' for Australian army

The Pipes and Drums of the Adelaide Universities Regiment - described as a South Australian "cultural icon" - were invited to perform at the Tattoo more than 17 months ago.

But army top brass have impounded their instruments and uniforms and forbidden them from coming because they say the trip would pose a security risk.

But now Scots cultural groups living in Australia have claimed that the army, rather than being worried about the terrorist threat to the musicians, is simply in a huff.

They say the top brass are upset at not being allowed to choose the band to represent them in Scotland. And the band are so angry they are trying to raise the cash to come to Edinburgh as a civilian band.

The President of the Scottish Associations of South Australia, Trevor Powell, said: "This is all very petty. Because a band from South Australia also went to the Tattoo last year, the army got miffed.

"They would have preferred an eastern states band but Edinburgh only invites the best.

"The army may now have done untold damage to other Australian army bands by their attitude. The Tattoo authorities may be wary of inviting another Australian army band for some time to come."

The regimental band, which has members recruited from students in the army training corps at universities across Adelaide, was invited to participate in this year’s Tattoo more than 17 months ago.

But officials from the Australian army waited 13 months before telling the members they could not go. It only did so when a letter was sent to the Australian Ministry of Defence asking for advice. And the reason given by the army - that the uncertain security situation meant their safety could not be guaranteed - has enraged the band and its affiliated Scots groups.

Mr Powell said the decision was unreasonable and insulting because the Royal Military College Band from Duntroon, near Canberra, had recently attended the Anzac Day service in Gallipoli, Turkey. And the same band has already been given the go-ahead to visit London for Remembrance Day in November.

Mr Powell said: "Does this mean that London is safe but Edinburgh isn’t? The Government has travel warnings out for Turkey. I’m not aware of similar warnings posted for Scotland. These double standards are an insult to all Scots."

The band has now had its equipment impounded by the army. It has also been refused access to funds needed to come to the Capital.

Mr Powell argues the band has raised thousands of dollars for the army over the years through public appearances and sales of CDs. The army has even confiscated the band’s remaining CDs to stop them raising money through more sales.

But the band is determined to attend the Tattoo and has reformed as The South Australian Pipes and Drums and intends to visit Edinburgh as civilians.

They are looking to borrow equipment from local bands and are having a new tartan made up into kilts. Mr Powell added: "This band are considered local icons. They’ve got a lot of support from the local community and we’re working really hard to get them to the Tattoo."

A spokesman for the Tattoo confirmed that the pipe band were still due to play. He said: "This is very much a matter for the Australians but we at the Tattoo are very much looking forward to having the pipe band play at this year’s events."

And Depute Lord Provost Steve Cardownie said the effort being put in by the band to come to Edinburgh reinforced the importance of the Tattoo.

He said:

"I don’t want to comment on the policies of the Australian army but the fact individual band members have taken this action shows the feelings they have about wanting to come and perform at one of the world’s greatest events."

It was not possible to contact anyone at the Australian army for comment.