Dutch Army Cycling Band plays the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (+ Video)

Some weird and wonderful sights have graced the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade over the six decades of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, but for fans of all things bike-related, none can compare to one of this year’s overseas guest acts, The Band of the Royal Netherlands Army Mounted Regiments, better known as The Dutch Army Cycling Band.

Dressed in World War I uniforms and mounted on vintage bicycles, which are clearly lovingly tended if the vignette at the end of the video below is anything to go by, even the Scottish rain proved unable to deter the cycling musicians from running through tunes including, of course, Tulips From Amsterdam which segued effortlessly into Loch Lomond in tribute to their hosts.

Based in the Van Brederode Barracks in Vucht, the band which comprises 40 musicians and even has its own fan website can trace its origins back to 1917, although the Dutch army’s Bicycle Corps is older still, having been founded in 1894.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo continues until 27 August.