The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Avis 

I was really disappointed with reference to the Tattoo and I would like to warn people . My husband and I had a wee bucket list , he was ill with his cancer but able to go short local holiday . No more long flights . I booked the Tattoo in January seats easy access and away from the loud speakers . That was fine and he was really looking forward to it . Sadly his cancer took a turn for the worse and he died in May . Did I take not take out Tattoo insurance - no the tickets were £100 each . Well I have emailed them ! Put a recorded delivery letter to the office ? Spoke to the gentleman on the phone . We were informed that I had to put my tickets up for sale . Ok you have no proof they were sold ? The TATTOO WAS SOLD OUT before I put my tickets up for sale . Only response you get is the standard email . The moral of the tale is take the insurance out . They have NO policy if your husband dies and they could not give a aS…T I few days ago I received a feedback email how did I enjoy it ??. I wonder who was sitting in my seats before I received that ????

Been to tattoo 3 times previously, it was a sight to see, you really knew you were in Scotland, so was bitterly disappointed with new show, was a big let down, where were the pipes and drums??? The scottishness of it all, the atmosphere. Sorry big waste of hard earned money, won't be making the 250 mile journey again paid a fortune for seats but didn't see anything, we were at castle end performance down other end of arena, dignitaries had perfect view we were supposed to bring an old military man with us but due to illness I had to cancel the ticket and much to my surprise was charged a cancellation fee. Was sent a questionnaire about tattoo, tried to explain my feelings, but most of it was centered around drink??? Was annoyed by people getting up to use loo possibly, agree should be stripped of Scottish military

So very disappointed
First time
So looking forward to it
So let down 👎

Not what a military tattoo should be all about. No explanation. No commentary. A Runrig song? What’s that all about? Where are the Marines abseiling off the castle, a mock attack conducted by the Paras or the motorcycle display team? Wait for it to come on the TV and skip through the non military bits.
Certainly don’t pay.
All credit to the mass bands and the RAF display team. Hence the 2 stars

Brilliant - we have wanted to attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for many years and we certainly weren't disappointed.
Watched an edited compilation on television last night, but nothing beats seeing it for real as we did on 15 August 2023, when the seamless interchanges between acts was spectacularly perfect.
The setting, the spectacle, the precision marching and exceptional music, as well as the guest performances combined to provide a genuinely unique experience.

Went to see the Tattoo 15th August this year, have been previous times before and thoroughly enjoyed it, such a spectulare event, this year was very disappointing not up to the ususl standard, no commentary at all, you didn't know where the bands were from, no Auld Land Sayne which bought the crowd together, why have they changed it, very very disappointing, won't be going back unless they return it to the proper schedule with commentary throughout the show.

We travelled from Australia timing our visit with the Tattoo...not a patch on previous years as viewed on television. I wanted a military Tattoo more of the bands marching highland dancing in traditional outfits as one segment showed. Not fantasy and glamour. The highland bands were exceptional spine tingling and certainly not enough of them or the specific commonwealth country inclusion that were there as written in the overpriced profile of the show. Wake up Edinburgh we came for your history your pomp and pageantry not Scotland's Got Talent. Would not be encouraging anyone to waste their money we kissed 440 pound goodbye for this sub standard show not pageant that we expected....shape up Edinburgh it's your history you are forgetting.

The only good parts were the pipe bands and the Norwegian Kings Guard. The rest was just fluff and nonsense. Folk were walking out before the end and I do not blame them. People drinking overpriced booze and then constantly walking past folk trying to watch the 'show'. The queue to get in was chaotic, young people as ushers does not work, no bag searches that I saw, security risk for certain. Would never go again.

Thoroughly enjoyable evening, well organised the ushers and staff were friendly and helpful. The performers were fantastic, still trying to figure out how the dancers changed the costume in mid act
Something my wife and I will never forget.

So I travelled 3.5 hrs to finally see the Tattoo I have been waiting to experience for so many years. I visit Scotland every year but this is the first time I have managed to get to the Tattoo. Well, I’m sad to say that what used to be a spectacular exhibit of Scotland and it’s proud military and heritage has now turned into what I can only describe as some others have as a woke pageant. I did not pay £140 to listen to American boogie woogie songs, Caribbean music and watch what looked like poor rendition of a carnival. What have they done to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo!!!!!! Where is the pride in history and culture! Why not include home grown talent like Clanadonia for example if you need to fill spots instead of resorting to rubbish acts that have nothing to do with Scotlands history. Even the Scottish couple I spoke to on the train home thought it was disappointing 🤷‍♀️
The pipes and drums were amazing and looked resplendent in their uniforms, nice to see the Kings (Queens) colour squadron as that’s my dads old squadron but it would have been nice to have some kind of announcement or narration of who was coming on.
I won’t be returning unless things improve. Bit of an embarrassment really.

Waste of money felt rushed and no story line. I have washed the tattoo over the years on tv and loved it
But this year was just what I can only give 1 star . I will not be back with my family really disappointed and I hope who ever overseas the event gets there stuff together and it improves soon

Its concerning that it is done on military land, with military bands, yet the organisers do not have the courtesy to even give military discount to serving soldiers and officers. Pathetic.

This was on our bucket list as we’d heard so much about it…..what a total waste of our well earned money! Felt like I was at our local town hall for an amateur drama company performance. We were expecting everything Scottish and military but so disappointed in what was a poor rip off of a Disney parade. Absolute garbage! It was meant to be story telling but no one had a clue what was going on as there was no announcer. Certainly didn’t go to the tattoo to watch silly butterflies and singers….if we wanted this type of show we would have booked an all inclusive deal and watched the hotel entertainment! Feel totally ripped off after spending nearly £300 on two tickets! Our friends spend £75 each on their tickets and felt the same, said they wouldn’t have wasted a penny on them if they’d known! First and last time we will go…such a shame as we had been so looking forward to it. We were actually embarrassed that the foreign visitors were subjected to such drivel and mundaneness. Couldn’t wait for it to end! The only highlight was the lone piper and the drummers who twirled their batons…but this is not worth the high ticket prices! Really would like a refund as feel totally duped!

Not a patch on previous years. No idea who was in it as there was not an announcer. If you are going to tell a story you need a storyteller. Not worth the money and won't be going again unless it improves. On saying all that the final fireworks and the Piper on the ramparts are still super

The Tattoo has totally gone downhill in the last few years , I was there last night I was really disappointed, If I wanted to attend a music show I would buy tickets for a musical, This show has been taken over buy wokism? .
It used to be a military event and showcasing Scotland there were no announcements you had to work out who was who I have been going to the tattoo for years, It has totally lost the plot probably won't bother buying tickets for next year.

Spectacular, creatively engrossing, slick production. Talented musicians , dancers. Fantastically staged. Great to experience different armed forces' music and celebration such as the Trinidad and Tobago steel band celebrating their mardi gras culture. The King of Norway's guard were perfect in their presentation and performance. Loved every minute especially the final song. I don't want to see pretend fighting by armed forces. I can see plenty of real fighting on the news coverage of Putin's war against Ukraine. I want this celebration of everything that's hopeful and good

They should rename it 'The Royal Edinburgh Woke Tattoo'. Whilst all of the performers were fantastic and excellent at their respective crafts and skills. The Tattoo paled in comparison to those of yesteryear. It seems health and safety, and wokism rules the day. No more Royal Marines abseiling down the ramparts. No armed jeeps portraying fight scenes. It seems bland is the day, probably so as to not offend anyone. I think the director of the Tattoo should have a trip to Earls Court and remind himself of what a military show actually is. Whilst it appeared to be a large show, there was a lot of recycling of acts to expand the display. Overall, hard to say if it is worth the price.

Been 35 years since my last visit, lower numbers performing but still a high standard only criticism no introduction of the acts and if you had a program you couldn't read it in the dark. Still worth a visit.

Was a bucket list experience for my husband.But I love the bagpipes also. We expected the tattoo to be Scottish themed due to being basically in Scotland. It started well with the bagpipes and Scottish men in kilts and everyone engrossed and take videos aplenty then it changed after approx 20 mins to a Disney themed production with butterflies dancing around then an American musical to African people on stilts. People were getting up and going to bathrooms disturbing seating basically because it wasn’t captivating. It ended with the whole arena with all who had contributed and eventually ended with bagpipes (at last) only a 90 mins show and although I still highly rate the areas we came to see (Scottish pipes etc) it was more a Disney theme show and not the tingling goosebumps experience we expected for a highland kilted piped theme we craved.. all being said we’ve done it. Probably not again.. but not what we expected….

This was our first time at the Tattoo and we certainly weren't disappointed.

From start (booking tickets in November 2022) to finish (being looked after by staff who went above and beyond with their assistance in getting us "home") it was a fantastic experience.

The show itself was wonderful, and after decades of watching the performance on t.v., being able to watch it close up and live was so worth making the journey.

Big thank you to the Tattoo staff, Allie ( Usher 98) Susan and Martin who went beyond what I l expected to sort out a transport issue we had and keep us company throughout the process, selflessly giving of what was their own time. You are stars and a genuine credit to the Edinburgh Tattoo organisation

So if like us you have watched this over the years and wondered what it is like live, stop wondering and do it. You will love it.

Dave and Tracey Hadgraft