Tattoo boss admits flypast is at mercy of city council

The head of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has admitted the future of the event's iconic flypasts is “at the mercy” of council officials and politicians, as he launched its 75th-anniversary programme.

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Jason Barrett, chief executive of the organisation, said a proposed ban on aerial displays put forward by an Edinburgh city councillor would be a “loss” for the show.

Green councillor Dan Heap this week brought a motion to Edinburgh City Council to explore banning flypasts entirely, citing the noise disturbance they cause - and the potentially traumatic impact flypasts can have on people fleeing war.

He said he hoped the number of flypasts allowed would be reduced to “preferably, zero”.

Mr Barrett insisted that flypasts, such as those by the Red Arrows, are an integral part of the history of the Tattoo.