The world renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been forced to cancel for a second year due to Coronavirus.
The famous Tattoo which has been going for 71 years is held on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle and normally sees around 217,000 people attend the event live while a global TV audience of between 100 -300 million also watch from afar.
Despite bringing record numbers of tourist to the area, organisers behind this year's event felt the financial risks of holding it this year, with social distancing measures in place, and the chance of it being cancelled, was just too risky.
A statement on the official website reads: "Despite the sense of optimism around the UK's route out of the COVID-19 pandemic and our desire to stage a Show this year, the financial implications against the risks we face are simply too high.
It is with deep regret that we must announce the cancellation of the 2021 Tattoo.
The Tattoo’s official Twitter account displayed an 'on mute 'sign and they added: "Let’s hear it for our return from 5th to 27th August 2022 #EdinTattoo."
Chief executive of the Tattoo, Buster Howes said in. a statement: "We have for months forensically monitored, assessed and sought to mitigate the constraints and uncertainties involved in mounting our show.
"However, we now reluctantly conclude it would be irresponsible to press on and to risk the longer-term financial viability of our charity, without the ability to underwrite and to offset the potential, substantial economic losses associated with last-minute cancellation obliged by changes in public health policy."
The event was thought to be worth £100 million to the local economy.
