Some have described it as the greatest show on Earth. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place each year and features a variety of musicians and performers from throughout the world. The main purpose of this event is for charitable purposes. Approximately 220,000 attend it each year and 100 million people watch it broadcast on TV. 48 countries have been represented at the Military Tattoo throughout the years.
About
The Military tattoos consist of International military bands, Commonwealth and the British Armed Forces. The Edinburgh Castle is the backdrop for these performances. It takes place each year in August and this year’s performance dates are August 7 through 29. The first official Edinburgh Military Tattoo took place in 1950 and there were only 8 performances and 6,000 spectators. By 1952 more stands were built which allowed for even more people to enjoy this event. In past years it was just called the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It wasn’t until 2010 when the queen awarded it with a Royal title in celebration of its existing for 60 years that the word “Royal” as added.
Performances
This year there will be performers from 4 different continents. They will include singers, pipers, drummers and a percussion group called Switzerland’s Top Secret Drum Corps. Among some of the new performances will be the Citadel’s 70 piece Regimental Band and Pipes that hails from Charleston, South Carolina. There will also be an appearance by the Royal Air Force to commemorate the Battle of Britain’s 75th anniversary. The main theme this year for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is “East Meets West”. One of the favorites of this event is the Lone Piper who sits on top of the walls of Edinburgh Castle. At the end of each tattoo performance the piper plays the notes of The Black Bear as the performers leave the esplanade. Each tattoo last about 1 ½ hours.
Tickets
Performances will occur Monday through Friday at 9pm and on Saturdays at 7:30pm and 10:30pm. There will be no performances on Sundays. The last performance on Saturday nights will conclude with a firework’s display. Ticket prices range from around $37 to $840, depending on the performance.
Since 2014 the Princess Royal has been the event’s Patron and the Royal Bank of Scotland is the main corporate sponsor of the event. If you are interested in attending the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo we can help make your dreams into a reality.
