Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: The greatest Armed Forces show on earth

The most iconic military spectacle in the world, the much-loved Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, has returned to Scotland after two years away due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Established in 1950, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo usually takes place every year in August on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
The impressive event will see military and non-military performers gather from as far away as New Zealand, Mexico and Switzerland - as well as familiar faces from the UK.
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[@nocode1603]

Saw my son from 3 scotts taking part so proud of him.... everyone taking part look so smart from 1 very proud dad 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😊😊👌

[@gennibeaumont737]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Great honors and bravery from the Men of the Black Watch. Slainte mhor agus a h-uile beannachd duibh for all of your family.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@animeworldnr1]

I saw it a week ago it was stunning. 🤯

[@MrSatyre1]

I will never forget seeing this amazing spectacle in person as a child in the 70s.

[@theo847sqn]

Tell me we don't have rose tinted glasses It's definitely WOKE to the ruination right ?

[@MrSatyre1]

​@@theo847sqn ?

[@hazelanderson1479]

My parents took me there in 1973, and it was magical! I loved every minute of it, except from being hoarse from cheering and shouting, and having sore hands from clapping!!

[@theo847sqn]

@@hazelanderson1479 1973 was a very strange year !

[@hazelanderson1479]

@@theo847sqn No it wasn’t! Sunderland beat Leeds United to win the FA Cup!

[@brendarichard6401]

I saw this in August about 20 years ago, The lone Bag Piper on top of the castle gave us chills and tears.The crowd was quiet & still, then at the end the cheers were deafening.......A wonderful experience

[@chrismair8161]

Everyone should see a Tattoo just once in their Life. I have been there and the Power and the essence of time well spent is not soon forgotten.

[@brendanhannan1753]

I won't lie, I love the Tattoo. But, I wish there was more military spectacles. When I was younger there was gun runs, motor cycle acts and now it seems to be mainly just dance troops. The American drill team are spectacular, and the military bands always phenomenal. I just wish there was more military stuff is all.

[@craigpearce-rnliblackpool8251]

Just come back from Edinburgh- watched the Tattoo and it blew my mind !!!

[@jimfrodsham7938]

I love the pipes and drums. I was never lucky enough to parade with them, but I wish I had.

[@Phil_AKA_ThundyUK]

For all the extravagance I still like the steely eyed British troops giving it some. No nonsense, just ownage.

[@retro61]

Only right & proper that you finished with a wee blast of The Black Bear. Gives me the chills every single time I hear it

[@BB-gd9is]

I'm from US. Love my soldiers, but the Top Secret Drum Corps knocked me out.

[@davegrassie1590]

Yes they were impressive, But in my opinion, I think your boys stole ( Rifle Drill team) the show... absolutely amazing... topnotch. Well worth the entrance fee just to see those guys 👌👌👌

[@billybeads3328]

This should be on everyones bucket list as it is truly spectacular plus Edinburgh is a magnificent city to visit

[@mothmagic1]

Most definitely. Been once and want to go again

[@charlestaylor8566]

It used to be a MILITARY tattoo but now most of the acts could have been gathered up at the Edinburgh Fringe !

[@Durgesuth]

It’s a great spectacle… I do love the pipes and drum sound the superb British Scottish regiment uniforms and great atmosphere of Edinburgh It’s something that must be done at least once…

[@sunrayisdown1690]

David. Its not British Scottish mate. Its Scottish. The English have stolen enough from Scotland !

[@TheFatesLieutenant]

Sad to see the haters on here - I, for one, think the Tattoo is quite spectacular and moving - is it the same as it was "back in the day"? No, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have impact and glory - times, yes they do change - and change doesn't have to be negative or positive - it can just be, so enjoy it while you can!

[@TomorrowWeLive]

Change doesn't have to be negative. In this case it is.

[@MG-bs5mr]

@@TomorrowWeLive how is it negative?

[@charlestaylor8566]

The clue is in the name Military , most of the acts aren’t , used to watch it on tv but not now .

[@MG-bs5mr]

@@charlestaylor8566 from what I can see most of the acts are still military. BTW, the Edinburgh Tattoo has had civilian dance acts from its very inception. It's held as the same time as the world's largest arts fair, so it's common sense to appeal to loads of different people. It's still attracting over 6,000 per show.

[@c.m.s5071]

@@MG-bs5mr the pipes and drums weren't even military

[@brsawvel]

Went to this a few years ago. By far, the highlight of my time in Europe.

[@Laura-yo1gh]

Went on Friday, 5th aug and loved it! Think it's our 4th time - last visit around the year 2000. Always such a spectacle. This was the first year for us with no rain. Really loved it!

[@pamelatillery2841]

We're going on Monday , love it and can't wait 👍🇬🇧👍

[@welshduckman8562]

My school band is playing! The thumbnail is actually our head of Pipe Band! Good luck boys, all the way from Austrailia!

[@normasanchez2764]

Es un orgullo para mí que mi hija este representando a nuestro país. Viva México.!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🇮🇹

[@reuberndoesthingsthathemig1025]

I had a stroke

[@cacambo589]

Y por supuesto a Escocia le encantó su hija, señora.

[@Chris-the-Saxon]

Pipe and drums are amazing!!!

[@hjs582]

One of my bucket list items of things to see.

[@hazelanderson1479]

I hope that you get to see it one day. You will not be disappointed!

[@kurtb8474]

I've been viewing the Tattoo for 30 years. I so sad that it survived other world events only to be shut down by a pandemic. I'm glad it's back.

[@panzerwolf494]

*Only* a pandemic that *only* killed millions because it was *only* easily spreadable. Bunch of cowards, play and die for my amusement, damnit!

[@Merlinever]

kurtb8474: It looks like the two years the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was away because of the COVID-19 pandemic killed it and made it into a major joke-in-bad-taste!!! They're acting like a group of very young, woefully undisciplined, mindless, low class punks.

[@eawe]

As only the British can do. AMAZING.

[@johnnicol6089]

Love the Edinburgh tattoo, the Americans take to a new level though. If you have never been highly recommend.

[@maobfh]

This has been on my bucket list for at least 10 years. Husband was very ill for at least that long but he is gone now. Because he was so I’ll, recovering financially is going to take a bit (the cost of care and medicine in the US is very high-SHAMEfully high!!!) but as soon as I can afford the travel? I am SOOO there!!! I cannot wait!

[@thomaswilson3437]

Oh we saw this the the "fringe" about 5 years ago...wonderful!

[@charlestaylor8566]

I think most of the acts at the tattoo were dragged up to the tattoo from the fringe !

[@philclarke1389]

Rehearsing at Redford barracks........been there ....done that..stayed in the Barracks for the duration.

[@tomhappe3810]

My nephew played there with The Citadel.

[@drewwilliams6888]

Still the best performance for me, are the pipes and drums, especially when Scotland the Brave is played.

[@Annelowe-yp4xe]

⚘🎵🎶🥁🤺💖🤗🥁🎶🎵⚘💕💖 THANK YOU ALL FOR KEEPING TRADITIONS ALIVE & SUCH AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE FOR SO MANY.... ⚘🥁🎺🎵🎶🥁💕 🤗💜💚💛👿

[@garybillington2239]

Bring the gun race back.

[@jimfrodsham7938]

If you're talking the Navy one Gary, then yes, what a spectacle. So exciting.

[@acheface]

It was never part of the tattoo.

[@thomasfromswindon7609]

@@acheface Was part of the Royal Tattoo

[@jimfrodsham7938]

@@acheface it was part of the two I did in Earls Court, mid '80's

[@acheface]

@@jimfrodsham7938 The gun race was part of the Royal Tournament. It was never part of the Edinburgh Tattoo.

[@toemblem]

I got to see this in 2022. It was outstanding.

[@richgeshel8735]

On the bucket list!

[@jyellowstone7735]

Slava Great Britain empire☝️👏👍

[@tubefreakmuva]

That looks cool

[@ycul21]

Wonderful. I have missed all this.

[@mikenelson8786]

Great to see it back.

[@Merlinever]

Who said it was back?

[@robnewman6101]

Congratulations.

[@stonewallmoses1136]

We want more.

[@WioWio-sf5pc]

disgusting white supreamacy!!!! you should be ashamed!!!

[@wahcwilson]

Food for thought 👑 💖💖💖💖💖

[@michalkwecka725]

My battalion padre from the army cadet force is working as duty padre for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, I hope all goes very well!

[@lonewulf44]

Might be able to go this year, any tips on what to do, where to sit, helpful tips for an outlander from across the pond who has never been to Edin?

[@janegroom2756]

My first experience on the 11th. Hope I love lt.

[@grahamhill2267]

Not so much a Military Tattoo these days, more a dance spectacle!

[@charlestaylor8566]

Spot on , I wonder how many people go away disappointed !

[@c.m.s5071]

@@charlestaylor8566 I did.... In fact I left feeling embarrassed. Not the only one either, when that US Army Band with its rappers and pop singer were on the giggles and sniggering from all around me were not muffled. In fact I heard one guy say out loud "what the hell is this".... Truly and sadly this was the worst ever Edinburgh "Military" Tattoo I have attended.

[@Krafterr4]

I'd pay to see it!

[@josephberrie9550]

you have to..... lol

[@charlestaylor8566]

Don’t expect to see much military acts and you won’t be disappointed !

[@roseogrady8785]

So good to See.

[@1982rrose]

I think the Maori Haka is the coolest cultural display by humans. But in a band uniform it takes away from it.

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

If you've ever witnessed a military funeral Haka when everyone is in their service dress, you would likely have a different opinion.

[@elizabethkuchta5097]

Best pipes and drums are ❤. 🫁.

[@TomorrowWeLive]

It's a clownish display of savagery

[@charlestaylor8566]

@@TomorrowWeLive Most of the act at these days are a clownish display , it used to be all military acts, now just dance show !

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

@@TomorrowWeLive You obviously didn't spend any time in Afganistan interacting with NZ forces. It is nice to see a civvy chav spewing racist garbage though, got your I 💕 Tommy Robinson tattoo yet?

[@nodisalsi]

Would like to see this live one day - but can't find ticket sales that doesn't involve some utterley pointless package tour costing several £100's for each.

[@Laura-yo1gh]

Just go to their own official booking site and buy your own seats👍

[@dunc71]

just turn up at the door, I only paid £19 for a ticket.

[@chubacca21]

@@dunc71 For real?

[@dunc71]

@@chubacca21 yes for real.

[@24398472Tom]

BRING BACK EARLS COURT!!!! Especially the Gun Run!!

[@AtheistOrphan]

Earls Court Sadly flattened years ago. Site sold to developers.

[@charlestaylor8566]

That’s when it was a real MILITARY tattoo!

[@avrilskinner5983]

This Is no longer the great MILITARY Tattoo .It is more of a song and dance show

[@Pedrokere]

Funny this comes up here when I was looking up the festival on the net ,

[@richardpcrowe]

Years ago, the Edinburgh Tattoo was more militarily oriented. However, they are pandering to public desires to increase their revenue resulting in a theatrical event....

[@charlestaylor8566]

Spot on , mostly none military acts now , be as well at the fringe !

[@teodytrinidad9497]

East West Congratulations

[@neuralwarp]

So they do have ^some^ military and ^some^ Scottish still taking part.

[@MG-bs5mr]

The majority is still military.

[@c.m.s5071]

@@MG-bs5mr I totally disagree, I was there last night and it was the worst I have been to. A handful of British military and a truly awful performance from the US Military Band. Mostly just a badly produced musical. Unfortunately I won't be back unless there is a proper Military element to it.

[@MG-bs5mr]

@@c.m.s5071 and having viewed the lineup it seems to be around the same mix as previous years with a core of military units. Perhaps just missing the RM band.

[@SF-Affan]

Kenapa INDONESIA TIDAK ADA???

[@brendarichard6401]

PS The song he played was Amazing Grace

[@Kirkee7]

The greatest Armed Forces show on earth ? The word missing here is WAS.

[@charlestaylor8566]

Spot on !

[@richardshields1488]

I went a few weeks ago to see for the first time. I hope to get tickets for next year

[@Fantic156]

Awesome, simple as...... 😜

[@BlueInk912]

Covid 2020 & 2021.. Why did she say missing for 3 years?

[@theo847sqn]

This was one of the greatest most captivating spectacles of a young boys wonder for me Marines on zip wires and tanks and drums and guns and bagpipes ect Now it's WOKE nonsense Ruined

[@Tourist1967]

Utter rubbish! The tattoo is more popular than it has ever been. Can't argue with that. Also, the Chief Executive of the show is Maj. Gen. Buster Howes RM. A legend in a corps with more than its fair share of legends. I think his opinion on anything you could possibly think of carries more weight than yours.

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

@@Tourist1967 The Maj Gen is doing his job just like all the others who steered the tattoo in the past. He gets paid to bring the people in simple as that even if it means putting pink haired guardsman on the castle ramparts playing piccolo's in tutus....

[@Tourist1967]

@@AirplaneDoctor_ Sorry. Did anything I wrote contradict that? I think not.

[@MG-bs5mr]

Please explain how you think this is "woke nonsense?"

[@theo847sqn]

@@MG-bs5mr it's gone soft All dancing around and playing pan pipes I want friggin marines on zip wires with weapons and artillaty pieces and dogs and everything It's like all mushy now So WOKE !

[@ulovaht1969]

Tallinn military Tattoo , please and GIBRALTAR airport too

[@samsignorelli]

Top Secret actually sounded almost clean...usually their dirt has dirt.

[@dianecheney4141]

Is it bad when you can watch and know the names of the different groups before they are announced?

[@c.m.s5071]

They weren't announced, no commentator at all, the worst Edinburgh Military Tattoo I have been to.

[@MathinusG]

Is this a Military Tattoo except for the last bit???

[@roo1234]

@02:23- Is the piper, far left in a baseball cap and black t-shirt?

[@johnnunn8688]

Many years ago, it showed off the best of the British Armed Forces, with displays of fighting prowess, as well as bands and massed bands and just a couple of displays from invited countries, mainly Commonwealth. Now there’s no British mil left, so it’s pretty much ALL visitors, shame!

[@charlestaylor8566]

Just an song and dance show mostly now , even stopped watching it on TV !

[@davidsmall2944]

This was not as good as the Royal tournament, but well done Scotland !!

[@theo847sqn]

I was lucky enough to be at one royal tournament as a cadet of 17 We went on for the big finally and cheered with our caps In the week we could watch the gun run

[@Durgesuth]

The Royal tournament was amazing… Though I wouldn’t directly compare it to the Edinburgh tattoo… Both equals

[@benwilson6145]

Ah the inevitable English Exceptionalism

[@0penminds]

@@benwilson6145 Oh, he had an opinion....how dare he!!!

[@georgiamule]

How sad that a military tattoo ends up as a dance competition. Please get back to the basics and drop the extraneous

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

Yeah!! the Mexican dancers were particular;y military. 🤣😂

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

The tattoo is just a constant reminder of the destruction of the Scottish Division and the demise of the Highland and Lowland regiments by the MOD. There was a time when the pipes and drums performing for the majority were British army with a guest band or two from the commonwealth, now it seems more civvy p&d's than Jocks, it's a sad state really.

[@YARROWS9]

The 1993 tattoo was the last great hoorah. All seven of the Scottish division Regiments plus the Scots Guards and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards pipes and drums. Nine Scottish Regiments in all.

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

@@YARROWS9 Yes, it was also the end of the line for all the Scottish line infantry and SCOTS DG's tin bands as well before becoming the short lived Highland and Lowland bands. It marked the beginning of the end of the Scottish Division as a whole.

[@michaeldorosh5047]

Something of a last hurrah occurred in 1990 when the Scottish Division did a Beating Retreat on Horse Guards. The video is now on KZbin. Not only just about all the Scottish regiments on parade, for the majority of the Royal family in the audience, but representatives from allied regiments in Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand as well as the Gurkhas. I was thrilled to be on parade with them though I confess probably too young to really appreciate it at the time.

[@nigeljames6017]

BigClive doing the gaffer job ?

[@Beefy5039]

About as military as a bus company these days.. Sad shadow of its glory days.

[@benwilson6145]

AH a Brexitears lament

[@Beefy5039]

@@benwilson6145 went downhill long before Brexit was a word

[@pernykvist3442]

Where are the tattoes?

[@AtheistOrphan]

Lift their kilts and you’ll see!

[@kevinphillip552]

Just get rid of the dancers!

[@amit70607]

This army parade is very good, but calling it greatest in the world is pumping too much and causing injustice to this very Tattoo.

[@Demun1649]

If you think this is the GREATEST military spectacle in the world, then you haven't been to Paris for the Defile de Paris, Fete Nationale. Bastille Day. Or go to l'Orient for the Festival InterCeltique if you want top quality civilian pipe and drum bands.

[@sshep86]

The only problem with this... Is that it's in France, which is full of French people. 😆

[@Wotsitorlabart]

@@sshep86 Yes, I imagine it would be all quite frightful.

[@charlestaylor8566]

@@sshep86 what he’s saying is there isn’t much Military about the Edinburgh tattoo , most of the acts should be down on the streets at the Fringe !

[@vulkunvision]

👉🇬🇧👈

[@jonathansmith9946]

We went this year. The bagpipes were awesome. The drum core was fantastic. The US military performance was sickening to me. It struck me as woke nonsense and to me was a poor representation of our great country. (The worst of all the presentations). They were running around acting like buffoons. Very disappointing!

[@c.m.s5071]

Exactly how I felt, I left feeling embarrassed

[@liam7664]

Much of this stuff doesn’t look very Scottish to me

[@TomorrowWeLive]

Ghastly. They just have to ruin everything good, don't they.

[@c.m.s5071]

This was the worst Edinburgh "Military" Tattoo I have seen. Was there yesterday and won't be back until there is a proper Military element to the show. This was more of a badly produced musical. So disappointed.

[@reuberndoesthingsthathemig1025]

Nicki sturgi probably bein mardy and upset again we should send these lads to deal with her

[@cacambo589]

No. Not "iconic" That's the word all lazy and ignorant people use about everything.... all day long.

[@northwestprof60]

weak. more drumline and grade school dances than military