Three Scottish bands come together to create new track for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Skerryvore, Skipinnish, and Tide Lines collaborate on bespoke track
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has brought together iconic Scottish bands Skerryvore, Skipinnish and Tide Lines to create a new song for its 2026 run.
The song, titled Everything Worth Fighting For, has been arranged by the Tattoo’s resident composer, Tom Hodge, and will be performed by Tattoo Orchestra led by Nick Grace at this year’s show, A Call to Gather.
In a fitting celebration of contemporary Scottish music, the three bands collaborate on the bespoke track, combining some of their most popular songs - Skerryvore’s Live Forever, Skipinnish’s Alive and Tide Lines’ Heroes.
Lead vocalists from the bands gathered at Glasgow’s Assumption Studios to record the vocals for the track, lending their talents to the unique element of this year’s Tattoo.
Alan Lane, creative director at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “The Contemporary Scottish Traditional Music scene is the most exciting cultural movement in Scotland at the moment. And these bands are at the forefront of that movement.
“We’ve worked with these artists before and some of the highlights of recent tattoos have been our collaborations. It’s a key part of the company’s creative direction and long may these friendships continue.”
Members of each band said it was particularly special to work alongside friends to create the track.
Alec Dalglish, of Skerryvore, said:"It's amazing to be a part of this collaboration. Lots of the bands are also our friends, so that means a lot to us. It's good to be involved in a project with them, as we don't get to see each other all that much, so it was cool getting to be in the studio."
Angus MacPhail, of Skipinnish, said: "We loved having our song ‘Eagle's Wing’ performed by the fantastic community choir, Sing in the City in the Show last year. It’s really special to be involved again this year and, not only that, but to be featured alongside friends from some of our favourite bands.”
And Robert Robertson, of Tide Lines, said: “It genuinely is a pinch-me moment to look out and see the Massed Bands playing something that was written in my bedroom in my flat in Glasgow.”
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns for its 2026 Show, A Call to Gather from August 7 to 29 and tickets can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188.