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.

Featured Tours

23 Days London to London

Operator: Cosmos

From 7,759pp
Save 841pp

24 Days London to London

Operator: Globus

From 10,665pp
Save 962pp

20 Days London to London

Operator: Trafalgar

From 8,706pp
Save 2,017pp

22 Days London to London

Operator: Insight Vacations

From 11,701pp
Save 2,602pp

Featured Operators Featured Operators

Albatross
Collette
Tauck

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
Best of Ireland and Scotland August 2026 Best of Ireland & Scotland , VIC, Australia, Aug 2026
This was our 4th tour booked through Global Journeys, our second with Insight Vacations. The trip was fantastic, giving us a good sample of what Ireland and Scotland have to offer. The sights were fantastic, as were our Travel Director, driver and local guides. Together, Global Journeys and Insight Vacations made this an easy and memorable holiday. read more Would definitely book with them again.
Britain and Ireland Discovery Britain & Ireland Discovery , VIC, Australia, Jul 2026
We had an excellent tour director and driver. We specifically chose this tour because we wanted to go to the Orkney Islands and Isle of Skye. We were unable to achieve this due to weather conditions for the Orkneys and motor bike accident that closed the road to the Isle of Skye and cut short our stay there. We were disappointed with Insight’s compensation read more for these cancellations, which was a trip to a historical cemetery, which was originally a paid optional extra, that we had chosen not to do. The cost of including the Orkneys and Isle of Skye was a reasonable as part of our tour cost. We were of the view a number of additional optional paid experiences did not represent good value for money, in particular the dinners, with the exception of the Torphichen dinner. Accomodation was 4 star with the exception of the highlands in Scotland which we rated as 2.5.
Uk tripping Britain and Ireland Explorer , NSW, Australia, Jul 2026
Enjoyed my time on this tour....considering the heat and some places lacking AC or fans for the rooms. Had the most amazing tour guide...Joe...and bus driver...Kamil. These 2 made the adventure a pleasant one. My trip highlight was 100% the week spent in Ireland...lovely people, lovely food, lovely environment, amazing Guiness and Baileys on ice!!!
Grand Tour of Britain and Ireland Britain & Ireland in Depth , NSW, Australia, Jun 2026
Our trip from mid June to mid July was a great period to travel with perfect weather and fascinating sights and locations. Our tour guide Dan was outstanding with his knowledge of history and geography and a great personality. Our coach driver Paul was exceptional, handling narrow countryside roads with care and skill. Accommodation and food included read more were excellent and the extra excursions were a bonus. Thanks to Grace for helping us book the holiday. Highly recommend.
Scotland Country Roads Country Roads of Scotland , NS, Canada, May 2026
This was a very good bus trip, and we particularly enjoyed travelling by ferry to the Orkney Islands. It is something not normally included in many Scotland trips. The sites there- Italian Chapel, Ring of Brogdar, Skara Brae and Skaile House were particularly interesting. Ethan Battison helped us tremendously in planning this trip and we highly recommend him.
England and Scotland Heritage England and Scotland Heritage , New Zealand, May 2026
It was fabulous. Needed more time in Glasgow and Liverpool as we didn’t get to see much at all there.

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.