Thousands of Canadian and international military and civilian performers have made the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo the world’s largest annual indoor show. First performed in Halifax in 1979 to mark the visit of the Queen Mother for the International Gathering of the Clans, the Tattoo has now become a permanent fixture, seen by more than a million spectators. With performances every year since 1979, it has more than lived up to its motto “Beòthaichidh Sinn An Cridhe Agus Gairmidh Sinn Dhachaidh Sibh” (“We stir the heart and call you home”).

This sumptuously illustrated book offers both an insider’s and a spectator’s perspective of the Tattoo over its 30-year history, providing both backstage and front-of-stage views of the event. Drawing from more than 75,000 photographs, this illustrated history of the Tattoo showcases the pageantry of this unique annual performance.