The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
5
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
The Edinburgh Military tattoo is an annual series of Military tattoos performed at the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and International military bands and display teams. This is held during the month of August each year which coincides with the Fringe Festival and International Festival. This really is a must when visiting Edinburgh and really provides for the experience of a lifetime. Dress warmly for the outdoors as the seating in the esplanade is uncovered.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavoured souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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See what travellers are saying
  • Kay S
    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Trip of a lifetime!
    Once in a lifetime trip! Took my daughters to Scotland for a week and was thrilled to be able to attend the Royal Edinburg Tattoo. It is a spectacular performance of talented musicians and performers. The light show and fireworks were unbelievably beautiful. This is a MUST see if you go to Scotland!
    Visited August 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 11 June 2023
  • plfara
    Ware, United Kingdom474 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic!
    Wow! What an experience that will raise the hairs on the back of your neck. From the precision of the military bands, to the Scottish dancers, projection show on the castle and the fireworks, it’s one wonderful display after another. One of the best shows we have ever been to. Everyone should experience this spectacular show at least once. We left the arena buzzing. Fantastic!
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 August 2023
  • Brightoncardinal
    Lancing, United Kingdom276 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magical experience
    The light rain abated as we took our seats. The wind dropped to nothing. And from the moment ghe pipes and drums entered the arena, we were spellbound. This is a magical experience. It's not cheap. But it's absolutely worth it. We plan to go again. It was brilliant. (The alcohol is positively expensive. I'll take a hip flask next time.)
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 7 August 2023
  • Sam44London
    Beckenham, United Kingdom75 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful evening of entertainment
    A spectacular evening of entertainment with Military bands, dancing and music. An hour and half of colour, noise and excellent evening finished with fireworks. Cannot recommend highly enough. Starts at 9.30pm as waiting for dusk so may not be suitable for those not wanting a late night.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 9 August 2023
  • Usefulness
    Gold Coast, Australia32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing performance by all.
    What an amazing night! Everyone who performed did a spectacular job and I’m so privileged to have been given the opportunity to travel 16000km to see this. Every country that contributed to the performance did so with pride and perfection. The musicians didn’t miss a beat and well done to those that were performing with the Bass Tuba. I can’t imagine that would be to easy to walk/March/dance while playing one of those. 😅 I also enjoyed the interactive beats/rhythmic percussions performed by the non-traditional instruments; angle grinder, banging an oil drum etc. What I would like to see in the future is Australia and/or NZ perform too.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 10 August 2023
  • Megan S
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The highlight of our trip
    This is an event everyone should have on their bucket list. As a family of 8 (2 seniors, 4adults, 1child and 18month old) we thoroughly enjoyed this show. The staff managed a large crowd of people really well and were all very pleasant and helpful. The variety of performances was fantastic and the show was the perfect length of time. Would love to come again.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 10 August 2023
  • Markc66647
    San Francisco, California38 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Get your tickets a year in advance
    If you’re going to Edinburgh this is a must see at least once in your life. It happens when the Fringe and Festival are on so expect crowds and increased prices. That being said, this defines “well oiled machine.” Get a seat high up and towards the middle, bring a jacket because you never know about the weather. Get a program so you know what’s going on. It’s easy to compare it to the past but things evolve, it’s been on for 70 years. It’s 90 minutes of constant entertainment, go before you go…
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 August 2023
  • Edinburgh
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom72 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Brilliant acts. Questionable production team.
    As an Edinburgh resident have been several times to the tattoo. It is undoubtedly a spectacle and it you haven't been before then almost certainly go. The acts are excellent - particularly the massed pipes & drums. So this review is in no way anything but a glowing review of the performers. BUT. As many reviewers have indicated over the last couple of years the Tattoo has taken a strange turn in terms of the overall production. No announcer between acts leaves many wondering what exactly they are watching. The assumption being that the "production team" want to maximise sales of the £10 programmes in order that you might know who's coming on. But at a more fundamental level - this whole concept of branding it "Stories", "Voices" , "Journeys" etc looks to be the work of a team that doesn't really understand mass events & entertainment. Just saying "stories" every 10 minutes doesn't create a coherent theme. It comes across as a bit "6th form marketing project". It's the "Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2023", it doesn't need to be sub-branded "Stories". Please put someone at the helm who really knows about major entertainment productions.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 August 2023
  • Virgred
    Lome, Togo42 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must do while passing by Edinburg
    What an experience! combined with the Cannonball House restaurant for diner, we spent a memorable moment. A surprising mixture of modern musics and art performances with military well synchronized parades with the mandatory bagpipes! A special comment for the staff which contributes to an enjoyable moment!
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 August 2023
  • Andrew M
    6 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Military Tattoo queuing not Military standard
    As always an amazing visual and musical experience. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the queuing system. We queued for an hour and missed the RAF flyover that started the performance , as did hundreds of others. Really disappointing and needs to be better for the future.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 August 2023
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles6,810 reviews
Excellent
5,800
Very good
644
Average
214
Poor
95
Terrible
57

Fordy40
Shrewsbury, UK473 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
What an incredible experience. If you’ve never been and have the chance to go then do it (I’m actually going again 2024) it’s that good. The performance doesn’t start till 21.30pm due to the impact of the lighting that’s required. But as soon as it starts and the bagpipes get going oh it’s spine tingling. All the countries taking part have rehearsed and rehearsed even more. Every year they change the theme so different countries will get invited. The show lasts around an hour or just about. Go early as the queues will become in sane. Don’t expect to rush out as there are hundreds of people in attendance. Go if you’ve not been before
Written 22 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Glenn K
Brisbane, Australia73 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Great night of watching and listening to military bands from around the world as they paraded around the forecourt of the Edinburgh Castle. It was made more special because we got to meet one of the bagpipe players that my wife knew from Australia, before the show. It was very similar to the Tattoo I attended with a friend back in 1992, with only difference, being that there was, disappointingly, no display by British engineers in their jeeps and motorcycles
Written 10 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trail15326106410
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
We did enjoy our trip to Scotland years ago. Especially the highlands. Considering seeing the Royal Edinburg Military Tatoo.
Written 6 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

london057
Dublin, OH695 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
A once in a lifetime experience. Another you will see mostly British Royal 🤴 Regiments. Also you will also see some non British Military bands too . Which is nice . Lastly, It just so fun.
Written 23 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LindaMc
Glasgow, UK15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Absolutely amazing! First time we've ever been, won't be the last! Mesmerising! It can get cold though so wrap up warm!!
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Caroline S
9 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Terrible compared to previous years, no commentary at the begining or throughout, no auld lang syne, very poor performance, the organisers need to put the tatoo back to its usual standard or they are going to lose a lot of custom they have to remember people come from all over the world to see it also the acts this year was not up to the usual standard, very dissapointing
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

joel r
Toronto, Canada3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
I never thought I'd ever enjoy this but boy was I wrong!! IT WAS BLOODY AMAZING!! If you're in Edinburgh in Aug, this is a must to do-take it from me , you won't be sorry-My friend who is a very famour drummer in a big rock band told me the same thing-it's a must see!! also in Aug is the FRINGE FESTIVAL-another amazing thing to do in Scotland!!
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DaveandCaz44
Abergele, UK169 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Stunning, amazing, emotional, incredible ! I used to watch the Tattoo on TV as a kid with my Dad when he was alive and always wanted to see it 'live'. Aged 61, I finally got my chance when my Wife booked for us to go. We sat in the 'Royal Box' end and it was worth every penny, fantastic head on views of all the bands and artists. What an absolute treat to see the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force Steel Band, who we'd seen in Antigua 20 years ago when we got married out there. The whole event was spine tingling and amazing. We will DEFNITELY do this again !
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eric millar
Orihuela Costa, Spain5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
Quite simply brilliant, an experience that be on everyone's once in a lifetime must do. However the rest of the fringe events mack Edinburgh just manic
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lscCanfield_Ohio
Canfield, Ohio132 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
If you are in Edinburgh in August this is a must see. It is only performed in august. Hundreds of performers, dozens of bagpipes, dancers, singers, & special effects. A truly Scottish experience.
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo