Like the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this annual event has gone from strength to strength since its creation, with performers from over 48 countries around the world having taken part over the years in this high-energy showcase on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
2021 Announcement
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has announced the cancellation of its 2021 show. Their Chief Executive, Buster Howes, shared the following update:
“Despite the sense of optimism around the UK’s emergence from the Pandemic and our huge enthusiasm to stage a performance this year, it is now clear that the financial risks we confront in delivering The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, at scale, on the Castle Esplanade in August are simply too great. Consequently, it is with enormous regret and disappointment that we announce the cancellation of the 2021 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo...
...This has been a very difficult decision. We appreciate it has far-reaching implications for our staff, performers, suppliers, and guests, but we must act responsibly and, in the best, long-term interests of all. Tickets for 2021 will be refunded in full: for those wishing to join us next year, tickets can be transferred to 2022.”
History
In 1950 the British Army decided to showcase itself during the festival, leading to the forming of the first Tattoo. This event featured eight displays of piping and dancing on Edinburgh Castle Esplanade – a much smaller affair than today’s dazzling offering.
Having grown in size and reputation, the Tattoo is now hotly anticipated by fans from around the globe every year and has come to be regarded as an integral part of Edinburgh’s summer festivals.
Watched live annually by an audience of around 200,000, over 14 million people have enjoyed the show since it first debuted. The spectacle is also beamed to a staggering 100 million people around the world each year.
Watch
Watch videos of past Tattoo performances on the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo YouTube channel.