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Helen Rose’s Outdoor Diary: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

This is the 75^th year of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.. Despite many trips to the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe every August, I have never been to the Tattoo but the Glasgow Health Culture Rambling Club arranged an overnight trip through Caledonian Travel  https://www.caledonian.com/ including free time in Edinburgh and and a visit to the Tattoo.

Andy Goldsworthy Exhibition

In the free time, I took the opportunity to visit the Andy Goldsworthy Fifty Years Exhibition at the National Galleries of Scotland  in the impressive building 0n Princes Street. . He is an English artist based in Scotland with an unusual take on the outdoors.

It’s about our relationship with the land. I particularly liked the Oak Passage. It is made from branches and boughs of windfallen trees of recent storms. It is a reminder that the oak floor of the gallery was once a tree.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Tattoo is a noun meaning, an evening drum or bugle signal recalling soldiers to their quarters. In this case it refers to an evening of entertainment consisting of music, marching and the performance of displays and exercises by military personnel. It is held in August every year on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. The Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe with a long rich history as a royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress When we climbed Castle Hill (on a road) we were walking in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens.

When we reached the top of the Royal Mile, we were funnelled in to the esplanade with the stacked seating for 8,000 people per night and across the run, 230,000. It is always busy.

We had good seats near the front. There is so much happening on the esplanade, it is difficult to take it all in.

Entertainment

The Tattoo lasts about one hour 40 minutes with many personnel from across the world. It is a spectacular event and recorded on BBC Television. The programme changes every year. And this year was special as the 75^th year

The theme was the Heroes Who Made Us.

Ukraine

As there was so much to choose from in the lineup. I have selected a few to write about. The Orchestra of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They were dressed in white and even the tuba at the back was painted white! They were accompanied by folk dancers from the Ukraine who gave a splendid display.

Polish Border Guards

The Polish Border Guard was established on 16 May 1991. It is an armed and uniformed formation tasked with ensuring the protection of the state border on land and at sea, and organising and conducting border traffic control. Due to the powers granted, the Polish Border Guard is a police formation by nature. The Band of the Polish Guard resplendent in their brown capes matched their uniform. Thanks to Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for the photograph of the Polish Border Guard

Switzerland

Switzerland was represented by Top Secret Drum Corps from Basel. The Top Secret Drum Corps was founded in 1991 by seven young talented drummers. Together they wanted to play more than just carnival drum marches and began to mix the traditional Basel drumming style with other drum types in addition to adding visual effects. This unique idea and their commitment quickly led to national success. Having first performed at the Tattoo in 2003, this year’s performance marked their eighth on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.

America

America was representyed by two groups. The United States Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps  looking splendid in their traditional uniforms.  The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is one of four premier musical organisations of the United States Army. Members perform using musical instruments and wearing uniforms similar to those used by military musicians of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

The US  Air Force Drill Team were scary to watch with their precision work with the rifles complete with bayonets. The Team promotes the Air Force mission by showcasing drill performances at public and military venues to recruit, retain, and inspire Airmen. They support Air Force Recruiting Service as the official Ambassadors in Blue. My nephew Alexander Rose has a book published. American Rifle: A Biography. It is still available to buy and perhaps in libraries.

Scots Regiments

It was a fabulous sight to see the esplanade packed with the soldiers in their kilts sporrans and high furry hats (Busbys).  Scots regiments, especially the Scots Guards and The Royal Regiment of Scotland, are central to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, forming the iconic Massed Pipes and Drums. Other Scottish units like The Royal Scots and The Black Watch have also featured, though regiments participating vary year to year, with recent examples including the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, and various Battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Highland dancers were also amazing. There were 100 from around the world. They are not military personnel but part of the Royal  Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dance Company.

It was a great night with projections on to the castle above.

Many thanks to Margaret for arranging the trip.

September, 2025

Thanks to REMT marketing for supplying information very promptly.

Coming attraction; Glasgow  Cathedral and Glasgow Necropolos

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