The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Reviews 

It's lost its appeal. It's forgotten its roots which is Edinburgh and the Military. Their focus now is entirely the tourists, they're not interested in the locals that want to see it.

The last 3 years have been particularly bad. It's focused more on dancing and it then comes across more as a bad edition of Americas Got Talent or a Disney show. Military is pipes and drums NOT entertainers dancing on the esplanade.

If it changes we will return. Until then you've lost this local and my family.

I am a full time powered wheelchair user. I initially had difficulty booking tickets as it turns out you can't book wheelchair accessible spaces online and I had to go to the Hub at Castlehill, at the busiest time of year, during the fringe. I could have booked them by telephone but, I have aphasia that affects my speech I have difficulty with speaking on the phone. My friend and I went on Thursday 22nd August and the whole experience was fantastic. My powered wheelchair broke down at the top of Johnson Terrace. The stewards were great. They stowed my wheelchair safely in the stewards office. They used one of their own manual wheelchairs to get me to my seat. They put a seat for me to transfer into in what would've been a wheelchair space. Our seats were in Section 12, Row B, seat 11 and 12. We were at the very front and we could almost touch the performers. I've lived in Edinburgh all my life (I'm 55) and I've never been to the Tattoo. I love the sound of bagpipes and a full troupe is a sight and sound everyone should experience. Once the performance finished the steward came back for me and took us to the stewards office to collect my chair which, thankfully, was at least turning on and let us sit in the office until my husband could come to collect me. I have had new batteries fitted and my chair is back to normal. The two stewards who mainly helped us were Eric and Cameron but other stewards were involved - Eleanor, Susan and (I think his name was Graham or Gordon). I'll be back next year (with a warmer coat on!).

It was like an American Super Bowl half time show. Nonsense dancing and singing for most of the show. We went expecting military bands, or related. which was maybe 20% of the show. What a joke.

There are many reviews which should tell the Tattoo management they have lost the traditional appeal of a Military Tattoo..
Frankly it was disappointing who needs mediocre singing and nonsense with goofy pipes gushing fire and scenes, completely unconnected with Military...
Yes to the bands no to dancing beyond just a flavour.
It was the Royal Navy as the theme...where were the gun carriages and the competition.....the old well spoken compere encouraging crowd involvement...The navy just weren't involved...sad, trying to modernise has meant loosing the touch of class this occasion deserves. Do better.

I could not believe what I was watching..
it used to be Army, Navy and Air force putting on a show with a few guest performances, but I was horrified to see this debacle… more like a musical!
truly not good and not a Military Tattoo … very disappointed…

I would like to know who overseen the proceedings!!

A predominantly USA variety show. What a let down! Bring back the British armed Forces and cut out so many American performances. We do not need dancing women for eye-candy!! This show could have been on stage at The Royal Palladium. A real disappointment.

What on earth is happening with the Tattoo? Where is the ‘Military’? I’m aware that for those unable to return to Edinburgh and who then watch the BBC highlights, what we see is edited and limited. But I wasn’t aware that it had become a dancing/ singing show! Far too many dances, dancers and far too much singing. But not enough much missed proper Tattoo. Shame.

Expected a military tattoo, ended up watching a over produced American style lights show. Bring back tradition.

The Tattoo this year 2024 was pathetic. This year the main theme was supposed to be the Royal Navy and reflects on the fact the Royal Navy is in a bad way.
There was a handful of RN personnel in the honour guard but even that was padded out with navy personnel from other countries and the whole thing appeared to be a US Navy show. The Royal Marines were the main UK Navy contingent. The pipes and drums were excellent as usual. The rest was a light show with dancers and singers again from the US.
Certainly not the Tattoo of old.

As the others have posted, what a shame. I waited 52 years to attend this event, used to watch it on TV, and finally i get to go .... to a dance parade, singers, and bangra display oh yes .. a hip hop dj thing!!! 30% of the show had anything to do with the military. The massed band was the highlight along with the Royal Mariens, but apart from that, it was a second rate west end show. Sadly i will not give it second chance.

What a complete and utter let down. As others have said it was more like a Disney song and dance extravaganza. Couldn’t wait for it to end, it was so embarrassing. We definitely won’t be returning. Bring back the MILITARY TATTOO please not this rubbish.

THE ROYAL MILITARY TATTOO. DIRE. And why did a Dutch Admiral take the salute.
Well done the Royal Marines.

Absolute garbage. Over priced drivel. The event has lost its way. What was once a must see event is now a pale shadow if its proud past.

A military tattoo. That on recent years showing, seems anything other than a tattoo. More a show of just dance and music. Could we go back to a traditional military tattoo, highlighting the excellence that our forces reach. Although having been to the live show in the past.This time it was the BBC show.

I’m currently watching the military tattoo on BBC1 . I also went this year I took a friend visiting from NZ . I have watched it on TV each year and visited once before and enjoyed it . I was so disappointed this time . I wanted to see the actual military and techniques. The ones performing were really good . I couldn’t understand why it was padded out with pointless Scottish jigging and the Indian dancers. It seems that internationally there isn’t enough takers therefore it’s padded out with dancing . The worst a ‘ Star-trek’ weird arrangement. It’s not worth the money , or the nightmare of escaping at the end . My advice is watch it on television instead of hanging around until 9:30 in Edinburgh. I’m glad others feel the same as me . You can tune in and then make brew when the dancing , and warbling is on !

So disappointed in this years Military Tattoo, been many years and loved it, think whoever was producing it this year has lost their way that it’s a military Tattoo .. nothing focused on the epic backdrop of the castle either .. hoping the old Tattoo comes back next year

Having been before to the tattoo we would say please please put the Military first and foremost, we really don’t want to see writhing about the place dancers, mediocre singers and service personnel trying to be hip! It isn’t and it’s disrespectful.
There was very minimal military representation , the clue is in the title, Military. Come on senior Military organisers get your act together, show some pride in our amazing service personel!

I agree with many others. Having seen it several times before, 2024 was very disappointing. The lack of a commentary meant that it lacked atmosphere and there was no explanation of the theme, particularly for a daylight performance when any information shown on the castle wasn’t obvious. If you didn’t have a programme you’d be lost, and even then it’s far from ideal to be constantly reading to see who was who. In the past I found the Tattoo to be a moving experience, this time it was an emotional vacuum. As a proud Scot I was embarrassed for the overseas visitors who paid good money to see it, it just felt like a budget performance for a premium ticket price.

First time at the Tattoo 21 August. Something I’ve always wanted to see. I loved the marines, pipers and drummers. I didn’t love the solo singers, some couldn’t sing either. I feel it wasn’t what I expected. I wanted much more marching bands and much less irrelevant dancing. It did feel like a Disney show at times! At the end the last ‘song’ went on and on and those performers in front of the singers seemed to be just standing there doing nothing. At this point I was wanting it to end. I’m not likely to be able to get there again so a shame it wasn’t better.