The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

from Wokingham Local Magazine Issue 15 May 2023

by The Magazine Production Company

DISCOVERING LONDON

4th to 26th August 2023

The Edinburgh Castle Esplanade is the spectacular home of the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Tattoo has a proud history, stretching back for almost seven decades. Following the production of ‘Something About a Soldier’ in the Ross Bandstand in 1949, it was decided to create an event which ran alongside the existing Edinburgh Festivals. The official Tattoo was duly created with its first performance in 1950. Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh’s imposing castle, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of the most iconic events in Edinburgh’s calendar. Bringing together audiences from across the globe, the Tattoo celebrates the skills and talents of military bands and display teams from across the globe. There are few such moving festival moments, a fact to which any of the over 220,000 people who experience it live in any normal year can attest – not to mention the further 100 million who watch television broadcasts of the event!

Audiences get into the spirit and stamp and cheer to the sounds of the pipes and drums, clap to the Highland Dancers and watch in awe at some of the daredevil feats of accomplished motorcyclists or intricate marching formations. The sounds of the bands can be heard throughout the city, followed by the cheers of the audience, the roar of military jets flying over the city, and finally the glorious fireworks that colour the night sky.

What makes it special?

The Tattoo is an iconic Edinburgh institution, with music, dance, precision display, and the poignant refrain of the Lone Piper against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo celebrates musicians and performers from all around the world and opens Scotland’s arms to welcome spectators from near and far to join in the fun. With changing yearly themes, each Tattoo is different from the previous one. Past themes have included concepts such as Scotland’s homecoming, creativity and nature. The much-anticipated 2023 show will take place from 4 to 26 August, with the theme of this year’s event being “Stories” and includes performers from as far afield as The USA, New Zealand and Mexico.

The Royal Air Force has been confirmed as the lead service, this year. As always the Massed Pipes and Drums will be an essential component, along with the Tattoo Pipes and Drums and Tattoo Dancers. As well as a major home contingent, Stories will continue to celebrate the history and heritage of Scotland’s global family over the course of the 100-minute programme, but will incorporate its new ethos of greater innovation and creativity that it calls “Performance in a New Light”. The show’s big bangs and fireworks display thunder across Edinburgh each night, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays when the Tattoo holds an extended fireworks display. lushybgardenspaces

The Tattoo traditionally draws to a close with the lone piper playing from the castle ramparts and the massed pipes and drums rallying on the parade ground, before marching off down the High Street.

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