The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Reviews 

Huge disappointment:
Overpowering backing tracks ruined the feeling, freezing coldWhat a massive disappointment. We travelled all the way from the Netherlands specifically for this show, drawn in by the heavy advertising for 'Top Secret'. However, the performance brought zero energy. It had almost nothing to do with a traditional military Tattoo anymore. Instead, we were forced to watch Michael Jackson songs and dance routines that have nothing to do with Scotland. To make matters worse, the sound was completely overpowering; it was blatantly obvious that the show relied heavily on pre-recorded backing tracks. Because of this, the authentic musical feeling and atmosphere were completely gone. Combined with the freezing cold in the stands, it was a miserable experience. This was definitely not worth the money or the trip.

Grote teleurstelling: Slecht geluid verpest de sfeer, ijskoud en geen echte Taptoe meer

Wat een enorme teleurstelling. Wij zijn speciaal vanuit Nederland hiernaartoe gereisd voor deze show, aangetrokken door de grote reclame over 'Top Secret'. Maar de show bracht totaal geen energie. Het had amper nog iets met een militaire taptoe te maken. In plaats daarvan kregen we Michael Jackson-nummers en dansjes te zien die niets met Schotland te maken hebben. Daarnaast was het geluid veel te dominant aanwezig; het was overduidelijk dat er vooraf opgenomen muziek werd gebruikt voor de show. Het echte, pure muziekgevoel was daardoor volledig weg. Voeg daar de ijskoude wind op de tribunes aan toe, en de ervaring was compleet verpest. Dit was het geld en de reis absoluut niet waard.

We had accessible seating , but as my husband didn’t have a wheelchair we were up 3 stairs with a grill fence to the right of us , my husband on the large size , then me then another large person next to me with oxygen tank , not good I was sandwiched couldn’t straighten my shoulders , the disability helpers were excellent wheelchair assistants one young girl that pushed my husband up the hill and young lad pushing him down , they were excellent wheelchair assistants.

Went to the tattoo tonight and I have to Admit I was extremely disappointed. I was expecting military and got a poor Elton John , Michael Jackson, some crazy dad dancing and basically a load of repetitive dancing …..I honestly couldn’t understand what I was watching ..the end bit was good but I couldn’t wait for it to finish

Nothing wrong with the perfomers
But the tattoo is absolutely terrible
Wonderful live music, drowned out by blurred overloud « background « music, making the live performance inaudible, all through the show
Fire the director immediately

A Scot, living in NZ for 25 years I was left somewhat deflated with the experience. Whilst the performers were excellent, I was disappointed at the lack of pipes and drums, especially with some well known songs such as; Highland Cathedral (played for 10 seconds briefly) and ‘Flower o Scotland’ missing. The MC.. to be honest, seriously?! The only good thing was not being able to understand a word he said.
A missed opportunity to showcase and sell Scottish Fare. A Tennents Lager, Irn BRU or a dram could have fun for some and made things a bit more Scottish.
Over all though, I would recommend, though more suitably organised transport after, especially with quite a large older audience would have made things a lot more comfortable for some.

Enjoyed the first part of the show with the castle background but then the disco lighting came on. Terrible and not fitting. Need to see the performers on
the screen not flashing lighting. Lots of pipes at the beginning of show only. Needed more of the pipes.
They came on at the very end of the show but couldn't hear them because of the fireworks!!

I guess it had to be a scaled back version of what the real thing would be in Scotland. I think it’s certainly missed the atmosphere it would have had within a castle setting. The organisers at the venue were very on hand, proactive and helpful. I’m glad I went, but I wouldn’t go again. The New Zealand Maori performances were stunning. The New Zealand band was very much of a letdown. It felt that their musicians weren’t up to it nor was their marching performance routine. I felt like they relied on audience appeal, singing, along to the songs rather than having a tight skilled performance themselves.
Bus Transport by AT after the event was minimal. At lower Albert Street hundreds of patrons most of them elderly were lining up waiting for an hour or more for NX1 buses which were not frequently scheduled. After leaving the event just after 10 PM I was on a 12:30 AM bus having stood most of that time in a line in Lower Albert Street. Lots of ‘not in Service’ buses came and went picking up nobody. AT you need to real realize beforehand the deluge of people that are going to be using buses in the northern direction.

An embarrassment. It was like an amateur production. Started well but 45 min in it was just embarrassing. The massive screen behind did not show the precision of the bands or the highland dancers. Some stupid coloured lights constantly flashed.
NZ corps band sang horrendously.
The orchestra was way too loud in the shed to the side and drowned out some of probably tj best bits.

A total waste of money an no wonder it did not sell out.

We have just watched the first half of the tattoo. 19th Feb.
The screen is giving us a disco light show that in no way reflects the wonderful acts on the grass. There is no correlation between the two. Stop the screen. Light up the entertainers properly. Let us see those who are performing. We are no here to watch a light show. We’re here to see professional play and present. Very very disputed with our $385.00 each tickets.

An insult to the real thing. Poorly put together and was like a terrible dico with flashing coloured lights arround the stadium and the back drop screen - lost for words to discribe how bad it was. And the commentator - not sure where they found him but they should put him back and thow away the key. This was not a military Tattoo, this was a discusting over priced disco.

I have just watched the Tatoo on Australian televion as it aired last night. I am so disappointed!! I expect to see a Scottish Military Tattoo with Scottish Military music, competitions, exciting drills etc. - not American, Indian performances. So much American content, you could be forgiven for believing it was an American show. So much dancing as well. I was tossing up travelling there this year specifically to see it - I'm so glad I didn't waste my money. Please, organisers, go back to what it used to be. Please!

I am writing this e mail after watching the TV production last night. 2 years ago when my wife and I visited the tattoo for the umpteenth time we were so disappointed with the terrible show that we said we wouldn't return. It wasn't the tattoo that we knew but a musical show without any commentator or indeed any audience participation. Just awful.
HOWEVER, we thoroughly enjoyed this Tattoo, especially the narrator who was amazing. He had a wonderful Scottish accent and joined the show together perfectly. Great to see a programme of events that included military and Scotland as this is what people from all over the world come to see.
Many congratulations to Alan Lane and we will certainly return to our beloved Edinburgh Tattoo

Went to the Tattoo last night, we enjoyed it but it didn't live up to expectations. What we were really disappointed with is that a lot of the acts only displayed at one end (Castle) of the arena. Why could they not have been in the centre of the arena was baffling to us. Glad we went, but came away thinking it could have been so much better.

The actual tattoo was fabulous.Well worth seeing.The queuing system to get into the tattoo was horrendous.They made us que all the way down the hill to walk all the way back up the hill.By the time you reach the top they are rushing you to get in before the start of the show.Half a mile down and up the hill is not a good way to start your visit.

I loved the show - truly spectacular. My only complaint is that by the time we got out we had missed the last bus home! Could you not start at 9pm instead please?

Was this Eurovision or Military based Tattoo.
Much too Woke.

The Royal Edinburgh Military tattoo.
Although I watched this on TV a lot I absolutely love everything about it.
The Singer's absolutely beautiful as were the dancer's. The Royal and Scottish Military love what they do exceptional. Deserved a lot more star's. Australia.

A Scot living in Australia & just watching the Tattoo on TV now. I'm so disappointed! What's with all the dancing?? Bring back the Tattoo of old. The competitions Army v Navy, the dog displays, the bagpipes of course & perhaps a wee bit of dancing thrown in to show off our traditions & not just highland, but country dancing too. But this was far too heavy with dancing & not enough of the Military. My Aussie friends use to love it, but will be looking for more than the American content.

It is not a military tattoo anymore, more like a military people making a fool of themselves with silly dances and out-of-date tiktok music. Honestly extremely disappointing and cringe. Very expensive too, do NOT go.

As someone from Scotland and who use to go here as a child. I was embarrassed when I took my partners family who were from NZ. It wasn’t rich in Scottish music and dancing as it use to be. I don’t understand why they were doing dancing and songs from around the world. Some parts were very cringe. I could hear people around my saying the same thing! Absolutely terrible. Please for the love of god, get it back to its Scottish roots and make a proper show where we are proud to share as a country. What the hell