Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Learn how you can become a part of this amazing celebration below.
It's show time this month as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns for 2022! Hundreds of military bands, dancers, and musicians join together at the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade for a joyful pageant of music, color, and light. This year’s show is themed “Voices” and includes international performers from the US, Mexico, Switzerland and New Zealand.
The two-hour show runs every night excluding Sundays from August 5th to August 27th. All CIE Tours guests on tours that stop in Edinburgh on Tattoo nights get reserved seats for the spectacle. Perhaps you’ll come along in 2023! Check out the list of tours on the bottom of this page to see the more than a dozen itineraries to choose from.
Performers from over 48 countries have taken part in this global extravaganza. The name “Tattoo” derives from a seventeenth-century Dutch phrase, “Doe den tap toe”, signifying the end of the day for soldiers, which evolved into a ceremonial evening entertainment performed by military musicians.
The imposing Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city on volcanic rock, serves as the background for the Tattoo. The castle originally was the home of king and queens, such as Queen Margaret, Mary Queen of Scots, and James VI. It evolved into a military base, and held prisoners of war. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site houses Scotland’s crown jewels (also called the Honours of Scotland). The crown on display was first worn for the coronation of James V’s wife in 1540, and the scepter was presented to James IV by Pope Alexander VI in 1494. The castle is also home to a rock called the Stone of Destiny, which has been used in coronation ceremonies for English and British royalty since the thirteenth century; and the National War Museum of Scotland.
Watch this video to see what it's like to be the lead piper in the Tattoo!
Scotland Tours
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Taste of Britain
7 Days
Sample the highlights of England and Scotland on this week-long adventure, covering the bustling cities of London and Edinburgh, the history of Bath and Stratford-Upon-Avon, and the charming…
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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Best of Britain
9/10 Days
This fast-paced tour is the perfect introduction to England, Scotland and Wales, showcasing the very best historical and scenic spots, alongside vibrant cities.
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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Highlights of Britain
14 Days
Go off the beaten path as you traverse the whole of Britain to see Devon and Cornwall in England’s Southwest, the medieval heritage of Wales, and Scotland’s delights.
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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Taste of Britain & Ireland
14 Days
Get a great introduction to two great countries on this lively trip to England, Ireland, and Scotland. Enjoy a generous helping of the essential must-dos, with a hint of the unexpected.
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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Irish & Scottish Sampler
8/9 Days
This short-and-sweet combination Ireland and Scotland tour visits all the top highlights, mixing in historic cities with iconic sights.
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
Taste of Scotland
5 Days
Explore the very best of Scotland's gorgeous scenery and bustling cities on this short-and-sweet introductory tour.
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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The Scots Irish Tour
11/15 Days
This fast-paced Scotland and Ireland tour focuses on their rich history, with plenty of castle tours and museums to help bring the past to life. It's the perfect trip for those interested in…
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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Scottish & Irish Dream
13/14 Days
This great combination tour covers essential parts of Scotland with dreamy castles, mythical Isle of Skye, historic Culloden, skilled sheepdogs and the capital city of Edinburgh. Your adventure…
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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Scottish & Irish Gold
15/16 Days
This great combination tour covers the same itinerary in Scotland as on the Scottish & Irish Dream with romantic castles, mythical Isle of Skye, historic Culloden, and Edinburgh. In Ireland…
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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Scottish Dream
8 Days
Check the must-sees off of your wish list on this good-value Scotland tour, which is an ideal introduction to the bustling cities and breathtaking landscapes.
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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Scottish Clans & Castles
10/11 Days
Revisit the past on this leisurely Scottish tour filled with castle ruins, ancient battlefields, and colorful stories from the country's rich history.
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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Scottish Isles & Glens
12 Days
Head a little off the beaten path on this tour of Scotland's rugged Highlands, coastal byways, and the archaeological treasures on Orkney and the Isle of Skye.
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
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Taste of Scotland & Ireland
10/11 Days
The perfect combination of two great countries in one itinerary. Start in Glasgow before exploring the Scottish Highlands with a Loch Ness cruise and whisky tasting. Visit St Andrews and Edinburgh…
Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups
