A Guide To The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

[Zara Khan]

Every August, Edinburgh is transformed into a hive of activity as the festival season gets underway. Performances across the city attract thousands of tourists from around the world. However, at the top of any Edinburgh Festival bucket list has to be a stop at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Bringing together performers from over 48 countries, The Military Tattoo is an annual event that draws in huge audiences each year. Performances include, the Massed Military Bands, cultural troupes, singers and, of course, a grand finale from the Lone Piper.

Performers from British Armed Forces, the Commonwealth and other international military, band together in a celebration of military excellence across the continents. Although the Tattoo was historically an all Scottish affair, it has now evolved into an international event and global phenomenon being broadcast around the world with over 100 million viewers.

Set within the haunting esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, the Tattoo attracts an average audience of 217,000 spectators each year. Despite the renowned dreary weather, a performance has not once been called off, even though performances run throughout the week and twice on Saturdays across the entire festival period. The second performance to take place on a Saturday also includes an unforgettable firework display which spreads across the stunning backdrop of the castle and city. All performance include pyrotechnics and the newly introduced son et lumière projections onto the castle front.

As always, the best is saved until last: as a fitting end to the show, the Lone Piper emerges from a spotlight on the castle ramparts to play a hauntingly beautiful lament. This is followed by a crowd chorus of Auld Lang Syne and a roaring military flypast.

The Tattoo grows in popularity year on year and tickets are now hard to find. Taking this into account, the organisers now provide free abridged versions during the day called ‘a Taste of the Tattoo. These take place in Ross Bandstand of the Princes Street Gardens in homage to the first tattoo held there in 1949.

Originally, a military tattoo was a musical warning signal to tavern owners to turn off their ale taps so residing soldiers would return to their lodgings at a reasonable hour. After the introduction of modern barracks in the late 18th century, a tattoo then came to be used as the last duty call or the evening entertainment during a ceremony.

What we now recognize as the showcase military tattoo first found its way to Edinburgh in 1949 and was formally moved to the Edinburgh Castle in 1950. Back then, the simple seating structures which circled the castle esplanade held just 6,000 spectators. This was extended in 1952 to accommodate a nightly audience of 7,700.

Today, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo generates an estimated £88million each year for the city’s economy with over £5million donated annually to both military and civilian charities and organizations such as the Army Benevolent fund. Its rise has not only helped the city to add to its already rich tapestry of events and attractions, but also shines an important spotlight on the military in what is always a rousing and heart-warming fashion.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is just one of the many reasons to stay close to the centre of the Scottish capital. If you would love to live closer to the beating heart of Scotland, why not think about moving to one of the luxury new-build apartments in the city’s Quartermile district and put all that Edinburgh has to offer right on your doorstep.

For more information visit www.qmile.com