AMONG the dancers at this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is talented Lockerbie lass Mirren Wells.
The 18-year-old is part of the event’s Highland Dance team and is taking part in all the team performances on the famous castle esplanade.
Mirren, who has been attending the Louise Smith School of Dance in Dumfries since she was seven, applied last year and was invited to audition in February before securing her summer spot.
Teacher Louise said: “Getting to this stage has taken years of hard work, but over the last two years Mirren has dedicated all her spare time outwith college time and her job with Crollas, Lochmaben to really improve her dancing, with regular dance classes and gym sessions in Moffat.
“This hardwork and dedication has resulted in her having increased confidence in her ability and with some encouragement culminated in her being successful in the audition process.
“After her first week of rehearsals she was then chosen for the final tattoo team, taking part in all the team performances.”
And Louise and Mirren’s proud mum Mel were able to attend the preview performance.
Louise added: “Watching her perform on the Esplanade was emotional, we were both extremely proud watching her out there.
“She loved every minute. She is totally loving the whole experience.”
A former pupil of Lockerbie Academy, Mirren is now studying coaching and developing sport to become a teacher. Later this year she will start her associate qualifications with The British Association of Teachers of Dancing.
But before that she will be heading to Dusseldorf in Germany next month to take part in their tattoo.
She was also part of the Louise Smith team which attended the Canada Scotdance Championship last month.
And her fellow teammates are excited about her latest opportunity, with Louise saying: “The students in the dance class are all so proud of her and most of them and family are all heading up over the next few weeks to see her perform.
“She is the first of our students to take part in the tattoo but hopefully it will inspire younger dancers in the future.
“It has been such a positive experience for Mirren and an honour to dance at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. “
