Tattoo spectacular

The Edinburgh military tattoo takes place every August and September, and is known throughout the world. For 90 minutes on five or six nights a week, 600 people perform under floodlights. They are surrounded on three sides by an audience of 9,000. On the fourth side is the castle itself which provides an exciting setting for the evening's performance of military music, marching and other spectacular displays.

The name tattoo has an interesting origin. Traditionally soldiers were told to return to the living-quarters each night by a beat of the drum which sounded like 'tat-too'. After this time the pubs would serve them no more whisky!

On the final night of the display the sky is filled with the bright colours of exploding fireworks.

Welcome to the Festival

At the same time as the tattoo, you can go to the famous Edinburgh festival. Since it started in 1947, the festival has had the aim of bringing to Scotland's capital the finest performers and productions from all over the world.

Susan Sheerin, Jonathan Seath, Gillian White: Spotlight on Britain; Oxford University Press, 1985, page 83 f.