Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an exciting event that happens every year. It features performances by military bands and artistic teams from the British Armed Forces, the Commonwealth, and many other countries. These talented performers gather on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.

The Tattoo takes place each August and is part of the famous Edinburgh Festivals. It has become a major attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world to enjoy the music, skill, and tradition of military performances.

History and etymology

The word tattoo comes from an old Dutch phrase meaning "turn off the tap." It started as a signal for soldiers to stop drinking and go to bed. Later, it came to mean the last call of the day and a special show done by military musicians.

The first public military tattoo in Edinburgh happened in 1949. The official Edinburgh Military Tattoo began in 1950, with many people watching from simple seats around Edinburgh Castle. Today, thousands of people enjoy the show each year. In 2018, about 8,800 people could sit in the special stands each night. New stands built in 2011 made it easier to set up and take down the seats, letting the castle host other events too.

Performances

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a special show that happens every evening in August. It includes music from many different countries and exciting performances. Sometimes there are also fireworks! The show has only been stopped once because of bad weather. In 2010, it got a special name, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, to celebrate 60 years of performances.

The Tattoo also has smaller shows in other places and has traveled to many countries around the world. It helps raise money for important causes and brings lots of visitors to Edinburgh each year.

Performers

Each year, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo features bands and performance teams from the British Armed Forces and other countries. Sometimes, special guests join in, like bands from all three British services together. Over time, the show has included performers from around the world, making it very diverse.

Popular acts include the Top Secret Drum Corps from Basel, who have performed many times. Since 2014, a special group of pipers and drummers from many places has joined the show. In recent years, performers have come from countries like Mexico, the United States, New Zealand, Poland, and Ukraine.

Producers

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has had many talented leaders over the years. Lt Col George Malcolm started the first Edinburgh Tattoo in 1950. Captain Forbes Taylor, a film director, helped set the format for future shows and brought in performers from other countries. Many other dedicated leaders followed, each contributing their skills to make the Tattoo special.

In 2020, the roles of leader and creative director were split. Major General Buster Howes became the Chief Executive, and Michael Braithwate joined as creative director. In 2025, Alan Lane, an Army Reservist, took on the role of creative director.