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The Edinburgh Military Tattoo

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Edinburgh Military Tattoo
(pub 2001)
The Military Tattoo takes place annually on the Edinburgh castle esplanade. It is one of the many festivals that take place during the summer in Scotland's capital. Some 200,000 people, mostly tourists, visit the Tattoo every year whilst another 100 million are estimated to see it on television in some 30 countries. There's even a Tattoo webcam.

In 2006 the Tattoo is due to take place from 4th to 26th August. There will be a limited number of tickets available to buy at half price for the preview performance on August 3rd. If you're planning to stay in the city then I'd suggest booking your accomodation in plenty of time - Ediburgh gets very full during Festival season.

The Tattoo begun back in 1950, with the first stand erected the following year. Since then not a single performance has been cancelled, even though it has sometimes been rained on. In the last 50+ years the event has grown and evolved, however the foundations remain the same.

The key word for the Tattoo is "spectacle" as bands, display teams and other performers put on their show to the backdrop of Edinburgh castle. As you'd expect from a Scottish miliary show, pipes and drums feature heavily: for 2006 the organisers hope to have the largest gathering yet of pipes and drums, with contributions from around the world.

The show traditionally ends with fireworks and the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

The official Tattoo tartan was created in 1983 based around the colours navy blue (Navy), red (Army) and sky blue (RAF) along with black & white for Edinburgh. In 1998 a new Tattoo Jubilee tartan was created to celebrate the event's forthcoming 50th anniversary.

The Tatoo is run for charitable purposes and to date has gifted some £5 million. It has also earned an estimated £88 million for the Scottish economy.

This site is not associated with or endorsed by the Edinburgh Military Tattoo


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All original material copyright © Trevor Mendham 2004 - 2006. Please read the site usage terms.