Additions to the line up for both the RBS Inverness Highland Tattoo and InvernessFest were announced today (14 June) at Fort George, the stunning location for this year’s Tattoo.

InvernessFest will be held in and around Inverness between 15 and 29 July and will incorporate the RBS Inverness Highland Tattoo (25 – 28 July) along with many other exciting events including the InvernessFest Club (19 – 23 July) located in a beautiful Bon Vivant mirror tent, in Falcon Square.

The Royal Army of Oman Pipes and Drums and The Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch were announced today as exciting additions to the acts already confirmed for the RBS Inverness Highland Tattoo.

Today also saw some of the InvernessFest Club and Fringe performers give a sneak preview of what to expect from the eclectic InvernessFest programme.

Craig Hill’s stand up comedy show and ‘Rumpelstiltskin and the Fairytale Laundry’ are just two of the performances that will keep festival goers of all ages entertained in the InvernessFest Club. While an impressive line up of artists including Karen Matheson (of Capercaillie), Julie Fowlis, Dougie MacLean, the Fred Morrison Band, Boothby Graffoe and Na h'Oganaich will provide fantastic music for all tastes.

InvernessFest Fringe is a celebration by, and about, the many different cultures and cultural groups active in the city and will run along side and complement the main InvernessFest programme. The Fringe will see a mix of Chinese dance, Russian culture, Bangra and Bluegrass alongside ceilidhs and traditional step dance. There will also be comedy, modern dance, theatre, visual arts, music and much more to look forward to.

Performers already confirmed to take part in the RBS Inverness Highland Tattoo’s spectacular programme include The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra, the Golden Lions Parachute Display Team, The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, The Imps Youth Motorcycle Display Team, The Inverness Highland Ceilidh Dancers and Military Bands; the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, The Lowland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and The Royal Signals Northern Band.

Tickets are now available for the Tattoo, priced £15 (£10 for children under 12) with group discounts available.

For full details see www.invernesshighlandtattoo.co.uk  or visit the Highland 2007 website at www.highland2007.com

Fiona Hampton, director of Highland 2007, said: “We are delighted to announce the fantastic line up for the RBS Inverness Highland Tattoo. Unique Events and the Inverness Tattoo, with advice from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, have done a brilliant job creating what I’m sure will be one of the highlights of the Highland 2007 programme in one of the most iconic military settings in Scotland.

“Highland 2007 is also delighted to showcase other parts of the InvernessFest programme including the Tulloch Inverness Highland Games featuring the World Highland Games Heavy Championships, the European Pipe Band Championships and the InvernessFest Fringe and Club.

“The Fringe will complement the main programme of events by celebrating the many and varied cultures in the Highlands today while the Club will provide a unique venue to showcase some fantastic acts that will appeal to both the younger and older generations.”

Pete Irvine, of event producers Unique Events, added: “Unique are delighted the programme for InvernessFest is finally complete. Along with The Outsider, InvernessFest will make a big impact in the Highlands this summer and we hope very much that it will continue beyond Highland 2007.

“The RBS Inverness Highland Tattoo, the first time a tattoo of this scale has been staged in the UK outside of Edinburgh, is shaping up to be a spectacular international show and we hope that nobody will miss the Festival Club which we’ve situated right in the heart of the city in Falcon Square.

“Together with the Elton John concert, the Fringe and CITYJAM it should be clear to residents and visitors alike that there is a new exciting arts festival in the Highlands to look forward to.”

Major Roddy Wood, chairman of Inverness Tattoo Committee, commented: “Inverness Tattoo Committee are delighted that, for one year only, we shall be joining forces with Unique Events, and with assistance of The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, will create a truly spectacular production at Fort George as part of Highland 2007 and InvernessFest.

“The Inverness Tattoo is one of the longest running tattoos in the World and has been held in Inverness at the Northern Meeting Park for the past 56 years. The principal aim of the Tattoo is to raise funds for the three Cadet Services - Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps - as well as make regular donations to national and local charities.

“We have always found that visitors to the Tattoo - whether they be from home or overseas - enjoy the taste of Scotland, so tartan, bagpipes, dancing and traditional music are essential ingredients and these can be found in abundance this year at Fort George. I hope that everyone will make the most of the opportunity to come along to this year's spectacular Tattoo.”

Nick Johnston, RBS Regional Manager, said: “Highland 2007 has been a great success so far and we are delighted to be supporting the festival through our sponsorship of the RBS Inverness Highland Tattoo. The north of Scotland has a rich cultural heritage, and events such as the RBS Tattoo and the whole Highland 2007 programme will contribute enormously to the cultural and economic prosperity of the region, and indeed Scotland."

Additional support for the RBS Inverness Highland Tattoo was received from EventScotland and the co-operation of the Army in Scotland and Historic Scotland has helped to make this event possible.