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Opening Ceremonies of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
“The Tattoo is not just a show. It’s an experience that touches the heart and stirs the soul.”
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is upon us once again! With a special preview performance tonight, the full spectacle runs from August 1st to August 23rd.
Staged each year on the dramatic Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, the Tattoo has become one of the world’s most iconic military and cultural showcases. While rooted in Scottish military tradition — especially the stirring sounds of pipe bands and highland regiments — the event also welcomes international performers, celebrating military music and ceremonial arts from across the globe, all under the historic banner of the “Tattoo.”
The term "tattoo" comes from the 17th-century Dutch phrase “Doe den tap toe”, meaning “turn off the tap.” It was a signal sent through the streets by military drummers, instructing innkeepers in the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands) to stop serving beer so that soldiers would return to their barracks. The phrase evolved in English to "tattoo" and gradually came to refer to an evening military performance or ceremonial call to quarters.
By the 18th century, British military units were organizing public displays of drumming, marching, and music — events that balanced discipline with entertainment. These eventually developed into the grand Military Tattoos we recognize today, complete with massed bands, precision drill, dancers, and even theatrical reenactments.
This year marks a milestone — the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh Tattoo! To commemorate past achievements, the official Tattoo tartan continues to be proudly worn. Designed in 1998 by Peter MacDonald for the 50th anniversary, the tartan is based on a Wilsons of Bannockburn sett. Its colors symbolize the three military branches — Navy, Army, and Air Force — with black representing Edinburgh’s heraldic arms. ❤️ 💙 💚 🖤 🥁 🎉
The roots of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo stretch far earlier than its formal inception in 1950. The concept of military music displays in Edinburgh can be traced back to the 19th century, when military garrisons stationed in Scotland would parade and perform ceremonial drills accompanied by pipe bands and brass ensembles. Edinburgh Castle, as a historic fortress and garrison, was naturally a focal point for such displays. During the early 20th century, particularly in the aftermath of World War I, there was a growing interest in military pageantry as both a tribute to service and a unifying spectacle.
By the 1920s and 1930s, displays of massed pipes and drums had become regular features of events such as the King’s Birthday Parade and local celebrations. In 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival was launched to celebrate the post-war spirit of reconciliation through the arts. While the main festival emphasized classical music and theatre, a more martial and traditional performance was organized in 1949 on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, called “Something About a Soldier.” This show, staged by the 1st Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, was a precursor to the formal Tattoo and proved highly popular with audiences.
The first official Edinburgh Military Tattoo was held in 1950 under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel George Malcolm of the General Post Office. It featured just eight items, including traditional pipe bands and military drills, and drew an audience of around 6,000. Set dramatically against the floodlit Edinburgh Castle, it established a format that would soon become an enduring part of Scotland’s cultural identity.
From those modest beginnings, the Tattoo grew rapidly in scope and international reach. It began to welcome not only Scottish and British regiments but also performers from across the Commonwealth and later the world. Though rooted in military tradition, the Tattoo became a celebration of global culture, musical excellence, and shared history. Today, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a world-renowned spectacle, combining ancient heritage with modern performance on one of the most iconic stages in the world. Each year, it concludes with a lone piper playing a lament from the castle ramparts, a moving symbol of remembrance and continuity.
For more on this year's celebrations, click the fireworks!