Cape Town Military Tattoo: The Final Muster and the Lone Piper

As soon as the smoke had cleared after the final salvo of the 1812 Overture, it was time for the Final Muster. All the participants in the evening’s performance returned to the brightly lit-up arena one final time, filling the entire front courtyard of the Castle. They were followed by the regimental flag bearers and the bearers of the South African national flag, who took up their positions towards the front.

The regimental flag bearers have taken their place behind the Castle Guard with their halberds

After the bands had played the traditional “Nightfall in Camp”, everyone stood to attention for the playing and singing of the National Anthem, while the people in uniform saluted crisply. It was another one of those goosebump moments…

Everyone stands for the singing of the National Anthem

Thereafter, the melancholy strains of Auld Lang Syne filled the air, and the Last Post was played. Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight illuminated the Lone Piper on the roof of the inner wall.

The Tattoo participants, the crowds of spectators, the ancient Castle, and the modern highrise buildings of the City beyond

Usually, I only get a rather blurry and long-distance shot of him from far below, but on the final night of the tattoo, I was allowed to follow WO1 L Robertson (thank you!) and the Lone Piper Hugh Veitch up onto the roof of the inner wall, and thus got some fabulous photos from the top.

The Lone Piper on the inner wall, silhouetted against the bright lights of the City

What a perfect and unforgettable ending to my first behind-the-scenes Cape Town Military Tattoo!

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Gallery of Photos

The massed military bands and pipe bands are assembled in the arena for the final muster

Maj C de Cruz (Producer) and MWO RW Boltman (Production Manager) keep a watchful eye on the night’s performance

An eerie light…

Capt John Manning is the Voice of the Tattoo

3 Med Bn Grp, the Celtic Dance Tapestry, the Limited Edition Drum Corps, and a rep from the Cannon Association

The Castle Guard with their halberds line up in the front

Rwandan Army Band, 1 Med Battalion Grp and the Celtic Dancers

The regimental flag bearers have taken their place behind the Castle Guard with their halberds

Some of the regimental flags are a-fluttering

Group photo of the regimental standard bearers

Saluting during the playing of the SA National Anthem

Capt Francois Morkel in his Castle Guard raincoat

CFA pipes and drums, SA Army Band CT, 1 Med Bn pipes and drums, and the Cape Town Highlanders drums and pipes

Everyone looks very solemn during the National Anthem

Maj Martin Chandler of the SA Army Band CT in full swing

The smoke from the 1812 Overture is caught in the floodlights

Singing the National Anthem

Maj Chandler salutes the VIPs

The choir of 3 Med Bn Grp singing on the Kat balcony

A group photo of the choir of 3 Med Bn Grp

During “Auld Lang Syne”, the Celtic Dancers do a little dance

One after the other, they turn around to face the front once more

Army bands, SAPS band and pipe bands

A fabulous final night’s performance

Everyone stands for the singing of the National Anthem

View of the City Hall, the flags on the Leerdam Bastion and the Grand Parade packed solid with cars

What a magnificent view!

The Tattoo participants, the crowds of spectators, the ancient Castle, and the modern highrise buildings of the City beyond

Blue fingers of light raking the skies above Cape Town

Usually, these are the only photos I manage to take of the Lone Piper on the inner wall

The Lone Piper on the inner wall, silhouetted against the bright lights of the City

I even manage to capture his salute! What a backdrop!

Down in the arena, the massed pipes and drums are getting ready to leave too

Pipe Major WWO2 Charles Canning of the Cape Town Highlanders

A column of pipers is led out by Piper Hugh Veitch

As the SA Army Band CT leaves the arena, the Pipes and Drums get ready to depart too

Goodbye, pipers! Until next year!

On the final night, all the stands are full

The massed pipe bands are the last to leave the front courtyard to the tune of “Black Bear”

The VIP – in this case Maj Gen RC Andersen, Chief of Defence Reserves – is escorted back through the Kat archway

As the spectators leave, their cheerful chattering is a clear indication that they thoroughly enjoyed the Cape Town Military Tattoo