"What a beautiful moment, truly authentic and beautiful to see."
A Sikh police officer from Vancouver has captured attention at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo after taking centre stage as the drum major of the Vancouver Police Pipe Band.
Constable Sukhvinder Sunger travelled from Canada to Edinburgh for his first Tattoo, leading the band during its fourth appearance at the event.
The 2026 production, A Call to Gather, concludes at Edinburgh Castle on August 29.
Sunger is a constable with the Vancouver Police Department and also serves as the drum major of its pipe band.
From his tartan kilt to his matching turban, his distinctive appearance has attracted particular attention from people watching the performance.
On social media, one wrote: “Look at that awesome beard. I can’t get over the fact how majestic it looks. Wow.”
Another said: “What a beautiful moment, truly authentic and beautiful to see.
“Thank you Scotland for embracing everything that is good about inclusion.”
The Military Tattoo brings together more than 800 performers for a production centred on Scottish identity, while also showcasing musicians and performers from around the world.
For Sunger, his role at the front of the Vancouver Police Pipe Band places him in one of the event’s most visible formations, as the massed pipes and drums form a major part of the annual spectacle.
Social media users have been quick to comment on his presence, with one reaction describing how Sunger had caught their attention.
Highlighting the impact of Sikhs in the military, one person said:
“My grandmother, who was a nurse in the RAF, said the Sikhs fought gallantly and scared the heck out of the Germans given their determination.
“And as warriors do, they feed the communities they partake in.”
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The Vancouver Police Pipe Band has a long history of bringing police and musical traditions together.
Founded in 1914, it is the oldest non-military pipe band in British Columbia and has performed at international events over its history. The band is returning to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for the fourth time in 2026.
Sunger’s appearance also has a wider cultural significance.
He is a Sikh man representing a Canadian police department on a major international stage, while wearing the traditional dress associated with the pipe band.
The band has previously undertaken international tours, including a 2019 visit to India marking the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Sunger’s Edinburgh appearance brings together several parts of his identity, from his work as a Vancouver police officer to his role within the pipe band and his Sikh heritage.
One comment read: “I am so proud of you sir.”
Another said: “Tremendously brave and fiercely loyal fighters. Proud to have them.”
With the Tattoo ending on August 29, Sunger remains part of a production that brings together military, police and civilian performers from across the world.
