Scottish Blog

The Edinburgh Military is one of the most recognised military tattoo type performances in the world.

It is believed that the modern Edinburgh Military Tattoo festival is witnessed by as many as 217,000. Of these, it is believed that roughly 70,000 are visitors from outside of the United Kingdom. Accompanied with an estimated 100 million viewers by television, it can be said with great confidence that the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a very popular event.

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo was first held in 1950. Compared to today, it must be said that the original eight event line-up is minuscule compared to the current extravagant programmes. In fact, so far the Edinburgh Military Tattoo has seen over thirty different nations represented in the festivities and the largest gathering of military of pipers and drummers in history.

The immense changes found in the varying line-up of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is reflected in the current incarnation of the military tattoo tradition and its original roots. Military tattoo was created for a distinct purpose within the military. In the late 1800’s when the British military was engaged outside of the United Kingdom, drummers would be sent out into town at 9:30Pm to advise local barmen to turn of their taps and stop pouring beer for the British troops. This tradition was called Doe den tap toe. This eventually grew into a form of entertainment for locals, which eventually led to soldiers creating more extravagant and intricate performances. This then grew into military tattoo as it is today, from which the Edinburgh Military Tattoo was born.