The bi-centenary celebrations of Langholm Town Band will be marked by a prestigious engagement linked to their formation in 1815.

Next weekend the band has been invited to perform at the Royal Edinburg Military Tattoo at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, where under the baton of MD Chris Shanks, and alongside more than 300 other performers, they will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.

Significance

The significance comes with historical records showing that the band's first recorded appearance was for the return of the Scots Greys from the battle, when a recently formed band of musicians led the triumphant soldiers through the town.

The officer commanding the Royal Scots Greys was so impressed with their performance that he presented them with part of the brass work from his horse's harness, now known as the 'Band Buckle' (above), which has been proudly kept by the Langholm organisation ever since.

Take to the stage

The band will take to the stage with the Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Scotland and the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and The Royal Regiment of Scotland in company with Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools Choir, to retell in a theatrical pageant of storytelling and music, the tale of one of the most famous military victories in British history.

Incredible story

MD Chris Shanks told 4BR: "Langholm has an incredible history. However, amongst all the bicentenary events, the opportunity to perform at the Battle of Waterloo celebration organised by the Military Tattoo musicians and choreographers at the Usher Hall is one that is a real honour."

Langholm has an incredible history. However, the opportunity to perform at the Battle of Waterloo celebration organised by the Military Tattoo musicians and choreographers at the Usher Hall is one that is a real honourMD, Chris Shanks

Historic links

Brigadier David Allfrey, producer of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Eve of Waterloo concert, added: "It is a huge pleasure and a privilege to have the Langholm Town Band involved in the Eve of Waterloo concert.

The band has strong historical links to the events in 1815. It is rare for any band to have a pedigree stretching back over 200 years and the link with the Royal Scots Greys — my own regiment, now the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards — parading through Langholm after the battle makes the collaboration all the more special."