The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Reviews 

It takes real talent to take a wonderfully successful institution like The REMT and turn it into a disappointment. I take nothing against individual performance efforts.
The American CEO has clearly lost the plot and the event is surviving on a past record of excellence.
Sadly it can no longer be described as a Military Tattoo and no amount of laser light technology can disguise this shortcoming. The popularity and success of this event will decline with meteoric speed as its failures are rapidly disseminated on social media (in my view)
A reset to basic principles is desperately required or the public will stop attending. The QUALITY of anything is a question of CONFORMANCE TO REQUIREMENTS and is designed and managed top- down. Currently this basic function i.e. Management Top-Down is failing in all respects and it gives me no pleasure to make this observation.
I reiterate, this is a management failure in every respect in my view.
Why on earth an American CEO is an appropriate choice simply explains (to me) part of the nature of a major element of the problem. I hate to see decline of this great institution.
P.S. I am a retired Quality Manager in Engineering.

Lots of singing and dancing this year and, whilst excellent, did not think there was enough of drill displays, certainly not enough Scottish music and bagpiping. I agree with other reviewers…more like a musical. The horses parading were missing too. Artists did work hard and want to acknowledge the talent on display. A visitor to Scotland this year (2024) wouldn’t really have got a taste of the culture and spectacle which is usually on display. Disappointed.

Major disappointment. It was much less of military and more like some woke talent show. 4/10 and that’s being generous.

Woke not military tattoo. I paid a lot of money coming to see a Military Tattoo that wasn’t. Expensive tickets and over inflated hotel bill. I’ve been at this show 5 times in my lifetime and this was the worst show ever, it was more a dance extravaganza. Where was all the Military from around the world that would have usually been there. Have they been so badly treated by the Scottish people that they now refuse to come back. I was excited to bring my granddaughter to see some Scottish history and hospitality but it just was not there. I’m afraid I won’t be back and I certainly would not recommend it to anyone.

I am sorry but I did not spend my money to come and see a musical with tap dancing and singing seriously what was that about .
Who ever organises this needs to rethink and bring back the tattoo of old there is nothing wrong with tradition and I was expecting a display from the military not a broadway show
This was not my first time at the tattoo and I have always loved it but i am sad to say after last nights show it maybe my last

I was totally disappointed with the tattoo this year it was like an American side show not enough military not enough marching bands and worst of all no Bill Paterson l certainly won’t be watching it again until it goes back to its original theme.

I found this Tattoo (2023) disappointing. I have watched the tattoo consecutively on TV for the last couple of decades but in the last several years in my opinion it has steadily got worse.

Key disappointments:
• Significantly reduced international participants. Again in my opinion, the Tattoo represents not only a variety show but a unifying force that can encourage peace
• The conspicuous absence of the British Monarchy since 2017 (Should be a compulsory requirement to keep Great Britain great!)
• The lack of a good Scottish narrator like Bill Paterson who provided superb commentary throughout the show including the pointing out of celebrities including the Monarchy that was attending the show and lastly,
• The Lone Piper's lighting and sound quality was poor this year compared to any previous years that I can recall

I hope that the former US Marine (Jason Barrett) who has taken over the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo as CEO is able take on board my (hopefully constructive) comments.

Incredibly poor after sales support and ticketing service that has cost us £240. Will not book or attend again.

I was really disappointed with reference to the Tattoo and I would like to warn people . My husband and I had a wee bucket list , he was ill with his cancer but able to go short local holiday . No more long flights . I booked the Tattoo in January seats easy access and away from the loud speakers . That was fine and he was really looking forward to it . Sadly his cancer took a turn for the worse and he died in May . Did I take not take out Tattoo insurance - no the tickets were £100 each . Well I have emailed them ! Put a recorded delivery letter to the office ? Spoke to the gentleman on the phone . We were informed that I had to put my tickets up for sale . Ok you have no proof they were sold ? The TATTOO WAS SOLD OUT before I put my tickets up for sale . Only response you get is the standard email . The moral of the tale is take the insurance out . They have NO policy if your husband dies and they could not give a aS…T I few days ago I received a feedback email how did I enjoy it ??. I wonder who was sitting in my seats before I received that ????

Been to tattoo 3 times previously, it was a sight to see, you really knew you were in Scotland, so was bitterly disappointed with new show, was a big let down, where were the pipes and drums??? The scottishness of it all, the atmosphere. Sorry big waste of hard earned money, won't be making the 250 mile journey again paid a fortune for seats but didn't see anything, we were at castle end performance down other end of arena, dignitaries had perfect view we were supposed to bring an old military man with us but due to illness I had to cancel the ticket and much to my surprise was charged a cancellation fee. Was sent a questionnaire about tattoo, tried to explain my feelings, but most of it was centered around drink??? Was annoyed by people getting up to use loo possibly, agree should be stripped of Scottish military

So very disappointed
First time
So looking forward to it
So let down 👎

Not what a military tattoo should be all about. No explanation. No commentary. A Runrig song? What’s that all about? Where are the Marines abseiling off the castle, a mock attack conducted by the Paras or the motorcycle display team? Wait for it to come on the TV and skip through the non military bits.
Certainly don’t pay.
All credit to the mass bands and the RAF display team. Hence the 2 stars

Brilliant - we have wanted to attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for many years and we certainly weren't disappointed.
Watched an edited compilation on television last night, but nothing beats seeing it for real as we did on 15 August 2023, when the seamless interchanges between acts was spectacularly perfect.
The setting, the spectacle, the precision marching and exceptional music, as well as the guest performances combined to provide a genuinely unique experience.

Went to see the Tattoo 15th August this year, have been previous times before and thoroughly enjoyed it, such a spectulare event, this year was very disappointing not up to the ususl standard, no commentary at all, you didn't know where the bands were from, no Auld Land Sayne which bought the crowd together, why have they changed it, very very disappointing, won't be going back unless they return it to the proper schedule with commentary throughout the show.

We travelled from Australia timing our visit with the Tattoo...not a patch on previous years as viewed on television. I wanted a military Tattoo more of the bands marching highland dancing in traditional outfits as one segment showed. Not fantasy and glamour. The highland bands were exceptional spine tingling and certainly not enough of them or the specific commonwealth country inclusion that were there as written in the overpriced profile of the show. Wake up Edinburgh we came for your history your pomp and pageantry not Scotland's Got Talent. Would not be encouraging anyone to waste their money we kissed 440 pound goodbye for this sub standard show not pageant that we expected....shape up Edinburgh it's your history you are forgetting.

The only good parts were the pipe bands and the Norwegian Kings Guard. The rest was just fluff and nonsense. Folk were walking out before the end and I do not blame them. People drinking overpriced booze and then constantly walking past folk trying to watch the 'show'. The queue to get in was chaotic, young people as ushers does not work, no bag searches that I saw, security risk for certain. Would never go again.

Thoroughly enjoyable evening, well organised the ushers and staff were friendly and helpful. The performers were fantastic, still trying to figure out how the dancers changed the costume in mid act
Something my wife and I will never forget.

So I travelled 3.5 hrs to finally see the Tattoo I have been waiting to experience for so many years. I visit Scotland every year but this is the first time I have managed to get to the Tattoo. Well, I’m sad to say that what used to be a spectacular exhibit of Scotland and it’s proud military and heritage has now turned into what I can only describe as some others have as a woke pageant. I did not pay £140 to listen to American boogie woogie songs, Caribbean music and watch what looked like poor rendition of a carnival. What have they done to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo!!!!!! Where is the pride in history and culture! Why not include home grown talent like Clanadonia for example if you need to fill spots instead of resorting to rubbish acts that have nothing to do with Scotlands history. Even the Scottish couple I spoke to on the train home thought it was disappointing 🤷‍♀️
The pipes and drums were amazing and looked resplendent in their uniforms, nice to see the Kings (Queens) colour squadron as that’s my dads old squadron but it would have been nice to have some kind of announcement or narration of who was coming on.
I won’t be returning unless things improve. Bit of an embarrassment really.

Waste of money felt rushed and no story line. I have washed the tattoo over the years on tv and loved it
But this year was just what I can only give 1 star . I will not be back with my family really disappointed and I hope who ever overseas the event gets there stuff together and it improves soon

Its concerning that it is done on military land, with military bands, yet the organisers do not have the courtesy to even give military discount to serving soldiers and officers. Pathetic.