Let's Talk About Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo

Although the first Edinburgh Military Tattoo was produced in 1950, there was a show held the previous year which is where the Tattoo actually stemmed from. In 1949, 'Something About a Soldier' was produced and shown at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens. The bandstand still stands in the gardens to this day, and is definitely worth a visit if you love learning about the history behind events like this one. However, the Ross Bandstand did not last long as the location for this great event as the Tattoo moved to the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle in 1950, lending its very dramatic atmosphere. The purpose of the Tattoo is to celebrate the Military, not only in Scotland, but all over the world and to encourage a coming together of both military and civilian societies. The event was known as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo until 2010 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth awarded the event 'Royal' status, to celebrate the 60 year anniversary.

Tickets go on sale in December a full 9 months before the Tattoo takes place, and within a very short period of time they sell out every year. People travel from all over the world to catch this spectacular performance, with 30% of the audience from Scotland, 35% from the rest of the UK and 35% from the rest of the world. Since it's inception more than 14 million people have attended the Tattoo and surprisingly they have never had to cancel a performance, not even due to the unpredictable Scottish weather. Each year roughly 200,000 attend the Tattoo and over 100 million people tune in to watch it on TV all over the world.

Each year the Tattoo selects a different theme that the program of events is then centered around, the theme is selected so that each year so completely different from the last. This years theme was Kaleidoscope, but previous years have included the likes of nature and creativity. The theme is selected to reflect the colourful history of Scotland and their global family. The event features music, dance and military pageantry from pipers, drummers, singers, dancers, massed military bands and cultural troupes that travel from every corner of the globe to perform.

The Tattoo draws to an end each year with a lone piper playing playing from the stone ramparts of the historic Edinburgh Castle. Many visitors to the Tattoo claim this is the most memorable and moving moment of the whole show. Andy, a previous lone piper of the Edinburgh Tattoo, opened up to VisitScotland about his journey playing the bagpipes. He first started playing at 10 years old, when his neighbour at the time offered to teach him, and since then he has been hooked. He says "it's a great feeling knowing that you're carrying on traditions and culture" and was honoured to be invited to be the lone piper many years after he first started going to the Tattoo as a young boy. It is an experience he will never forget.