The Most Famous Military Tattoo

Every year in August, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place during the Edinburgh International Festival. The popular event includes performances from British forces, commonwealth soldiers and international military bands. Indeed, from humble beginnings in 1950, the event has attracted more than twelve million people during its existence. Typically, more than seventy percent of its visitors come from outside Scotland, whilst fifty percent arrive from outside of the UK.

The term Tattoo dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries when the British Army was stationed in Flanders, Belgium. Every night at 9:30PM, drummers were sent out to summon soldiers from the bars and back to the barracks to sleep. The drummers would shout out 'Doe Den Tap Toe' to bar owners, which literally means to turn off the beer taps. The drummers would then continue playing until the curfew began at ten.

Although military tattoo's actually date back as far as the 19th century, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo - the world's most famous - didn't actually begin until 1950. It was first performed at Edinburgh Castle - as is the continuing tradition - as a centrepiece to the Edinburgh Festival. In fact, the first performance at Edinburgh Castle included only eight performers and had no stands for spectators.

Since then the Tattoo has grown to attract hundreds of thousands of people every August. As a sign of its international popularity, the event is broadcast live on television, as well as in over thirty countries worldwide to an audience of over one hundred million people.

Thanks to Britain's strong overseas involvement through the military and commonwealth, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo attracts performers from all over the world. Since the first tattoo in 1950 the event has seen performances from over forty countries, with the first international performance taking place in 1952 when Canada, France and the Netherlands performed. Although the international performers generate a lot of interest in the event, most spectators come to watch the different Scottish Regiments that are represented.

Among the most famous Scottish pipe and drum performers are the Royal Scots, Royal Highland Fusiliers, King's Own Scottish Borderers, Black Watch, The Highlanders and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. What's more, the Scottish Regiments are joined by the Scots Guards, Irish Guards, South African Irish Regiment, the Rats of Tobruk and numerous other pipe bands from around the world.

The Edinburgh Tattoo also has a strong charitable element, and during its existence has generated around five million pounds for military and civilian charities, whilst also generating close to ninety million pounds annually for Edinburgh's local economy.

Indeed, Edinburgh Military Tattoo has gone on to become the most popular military tattoo in the world. With a wide variety of international performances, as well as the chance to see the famous Scottish Regiments in action, it's easy to see why this event has grown to become so popular.

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Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

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