The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual event involving British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and international military bands, and artistic performance teams and takes place on the Esplanade of the imposing hilltop Edinburgh Castle.

The very first public military tattoo in Edinburgh took place in 1949 at the Ross Bandstand in the Princes Street Gardens and was entitled “Something About a Soldier” . The first official Edinburgh Military Tattoo was held in 1950 and attracted some 6,000 spectators.

Since the 1970s, an average of just over 220,000 people travel to see the Tattoo live on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle each year.

In 2010 the event became the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo after HM Queen Elizabeth awarded the Royal title in celebration of its six decades of existence.

It is a magnificent and colourful spectacle and a must-see if you are in Edinburgh in August. A worthy item for any bucket list.

The backdrop of the castle, beautifully illuminated, add greatly to overall spectacle.

It may well take place in August, but don’t underestimate how cold it can actually be when you are sitting in the stands in early and late evening! We noticed regular visitors were not only wrapped up exceedingly warmly (unlike us!) but some also brought blankets with them!