Edinburgh Military Tattoo Tours

Experience one of the greatest shows on earth - the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on one of 77 multi-day journeys through Scotland. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is set against the iconic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and takes place annually during the month of August as part of the Edinburgh Festival.

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CIE Tours
When you travel with CIE Tours, you will get the warmest of welcomes and all the benefits of our 87 years of experience. The itineraries are locally crafted more - we set our own high standards for delivering excellent holidays with state-of-the-art luxury coaches; the best hotels; carefully chosen authentic experiences and entertainment.

Our outstanding local tour directors are ready to share their knowledge, stories, passion for their home places - they are our greatest assets. Many of our tours spend 2 nights in each location, and our flexible itineraries include a great balance of escorted and free time. We include full breakfasts, most dinners and some evening entertainment. No one has to worry about paying for optional extras on the trip. It’s all included, no hidden extras.

We know how much these trips mean to you and we want to ensure that this is a trip you will treasure forever.
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Budget:Premium
Accommodation:3.5 - 4 Star
Trafalgar
We are the world’s leading and most awarded travel brand spanning all 7 continents of the globe. From the iconic to the unexpected our guests connect to more the real depth of the places we go. They will break bread with the locals at our exclusive Be My Guest experiences and unlock local secrets of our Travel Directors and Local Specialists. Everything is taken care of, so they travel with true ease and get the real thing without worrying about a thing.

We consider how we can positively impact the communities we engage with. Through our JoinTrafalgar initiatives powered by TreadRight, guests don’t just leave footprints on the ground, but leave a lasting legacy for the betterment of locals and the future of their communities.

It’s 72 years of destination experience and feedback from over 5 million happy guests that fuels our innovation to continually delivery simply the best holidays.
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Avalon
One of our favourite sayings that describes Avalon Waterways is ‘the possibilities are as wide open as the views’. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia, more you can cruise in relaxed luxury with Avalon Waterways, with choices as unique as you. Avalon offers you a range of choices from excursions, dining options, activities that help you tailor your experience.

Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
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Fleet Size:16

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Modern Meets Tradition Since 1950 Modern Meets Tradition Since 1950
Pairing military tradition with contemporary music, the Tattoo has something for everyone. What many maybe don’t know, is that since it's inception, the Tattoo has always included cutting edge music from the time.
No Year Is The Same No Year Is The Same
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo celebrates musicians and performers from all around the world and the event's themes change every year so each Tattoo is different from the previous one. The regular Scottish and British read more regiments vary their musical and drill performances from year to year, and there are different guest regiments from various different countries.
Who Doesn't Like Fireworks! Who Doesn't Like Fireworks!
Other than musical performances, with marches and other military ceremonies, you can also expect several spectacular firework displays at the tattoo throughout August! Friday & late night Saturday performances often offer read more an enhanced fireworks displays.

Latest Reviews

What our clients are saying about their Edinburgh Military Tattoo experiences
18-day grand tour of Britian and Ireland starting on 2/5/2026 Grand Tour of Britain & Ireland , QLD, Australia, May 2026
The whole trip was a highlight for us. The accommodation at hotels was verry good, we would recommend this trip at this time of the year for other travelers. The weather was sunny for most days with very little rain. Our bus driver Joe was exceptional, professional and well dressed. We had mobility issues and he went out of his way to assist us particularly read more with luggage. Last but certainly not least was Peita our tour guide. His knowledge of all the places we travelled to and in-between was fantastic. We would also like to thank Hannah Perry from Global Journey for her excellent advice and professionalism. With thanks, John and Jan.
Ireland & Scotland Highlights of Ireland & Scotland , NSW, Australia, Oct 2025
Again Global Journeys and Grace thank you for all travel assistance. Trip was amazing what beautiful countries to explore & through Cosmos a breeze. Loved every minute. Put on your bucket list. Will definitely recommend trip to everyone
Thanks 😀
Trip to Ireland and Scotland Highlights of Ireland & Scotland , NSW, Australia, Oct 2025
My tour departed on 24 October. There are 46 in our group (too big for my liking). In Ireland it rained nearly everyday so probably should pick an early departure date. In Scotland the drive was a really scenic drive with trees with yellow leaves on both sides of the roads. It rained less in Scotland. Booking with Hannah is so easy and she is such read more an efficient and professional agent. I will book with her again.

The only downside is I don't like our tour guide Kathryn Dolan because she accused me of taking one token (1 pound) from her for the bus ride(at Giant of the Causeway), which I didn't because I was waiting for her to buy the return tickets for me. For this incident she didn't apologize to me. More than 19 people from our group were on the bus. They must have all heard the conversation. I think I have travelled more than 15 tours with Cosmos. I think this is the last tour with Cosmos. She is the second tour guide that I didn't give her tips to in my more than 15 years of travel time. Her 1 pound mistake made her lose 72 pounds tips from me and I wonder how many of my tour mates will give her tips and I purposely gave the tips to the driver in front of her face, and she didn't give me the after tour feedback form that I normally get. (GJ: Ouch!)
Wonderful tour of UK and Southern Ireland with Globus   Britain & Ireland in Depth , VIC, Australia, Sep 2025
We had a trouble free tour of UK and Southern Ireland in late September into October. Weather was fine with only 2 wet days for whole tour. Our guide Oshan was excellent with fantastic knowledge of places we visited and history of countries we visited, he showed passion and humour which made travelling with him easy and fun. Tour was well planned and read more bus driver added to the journey with his knowledge and driving skills. Hotels were excellent and meals provided a high standard. Nothing was to much trouble for Oshan and Myrion we appreciated how they looked after us. Thank you Globus for a well planned and delivered tour.
Wonderful tour of Britain & Ireland Britain & Ireland in Depth , VIC, Australia, Jul 2025
This tour was booked with Hannah Campbell (Senior Travel Consultant) at Global Journeys around April 2024. The tour at that stage was a 'planned departure', however, Hannah kept monitoring the tour & was very quick to inform us once the tour converted to a 'definite departure'. This allowed us to book our airfares. Hannah also kept us abreast with any read more minor tour changes & provided us with all the documentation for the tour, including all the 'optionals' & their prices, about 5 weeks before the tour commenced. The level of customer service was par excellence & is why we are return travellers to various tours facilitated by Global Journeys. All potential travellers to all parts of the world, please do not hesitate to contact Hannah Campbell at Global Journeys for a well-priced quote incorporating all available discounts, followed by superior customer service.
Great tour covering the British Isles and Ireland Britain & Ireland Discovery , New Zealand, Jun 2025
Went to places I never would have contemplated. Like the Orkney Islands right at the top of Scotland. Stress less travel as you arrived at each hotel and given the key to your room and your bags would be delivered. Had a great 22 days.

FAQ's

Common questions about The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
When does the Edinburgh Tattoo perform?

Annually, during the of the  month of August as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.

Are tickets to Edinburgh Tattoo included in our tour price?

Yes. Some of the more affordable trips offer tickets to the Military Tattoo as an optional excursion, but the majority include tickets to the event. Departure prices for journeys that pass through Edinburgh during August are slightly more expensive, and the inclusions for each trip will spelt out in the itinerary if the Edinburgh Tattoo is included.

What happens if it rains at the Edinburgh Tattoo?

Embrace the rain! There's no cover at the arena, however no performance of the Tattoo has ever been cancelled. In the event of inclement weather, rapmacs are available for purchase from the souvenir kiosk on the Castle Esplanade. Umbrellas are not permitted.

Are there fireworks every night at the Edinburgh Tattoo?

The show's big bangs and fireworks display thunder across Edinburgh each night, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays when the Tattoo holds an extended fireworks display.

What should we wear?

Lots of layers! It may be August, but dress as if you are going out to play in the snow. This means hats, scarves and gloves too.