The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Reviews 

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.

I went to see a military tattoo and saw a dance show. I have longed to go to the Tattoo for years and when I eventually did to put it bluntly I saw nothing that remotely looked military. After the opening Pipes the only thing remotely connected to the military were the American sailors with their rifles and they were far to brief. Then followed what can only described as a shambolic attempt at entertainment till the Royal Marine band at the end. I would seriously advise people to save their money and go elsewhere.

I agree with all these reviews
It was nonsense , nothing military about it , it felt like the opening to a bigger event or festival total rubbish waited a year for this

I attended the tattoo with my son on Wednesday 21st August . I have been to this event many times but this was a great disappointment . What was it all about ? For any visitors coming from abroad who didn’t know what the real tattoo used to be like they would go home wondering what all excitement supposed to be . A massive let down was like a variety show , plus weather was awful , felt sorry for so called entertainers. No atmosphere whatsoever . Total waste of money and let down 🥲

Quite a mixed review. My parents came a few years ago and loved the tattoo so when my husband and I planned a stay in Edinburgh in August we decided to get tickets. Most of the show was incredible but I wasn’t expecting so much dancing and singing and didn’t really enjoy those parts. Tickets are pretty expensive and not sure it was as good as I had expected. Stick to the military bands please.

Like others, we were disappointed with the 2024 edition of the Tattoo. We come to the event for the piped bands, historic military remembrances, with the castle as an epic backdrop. We loved the beginning, end, line piper, Royal Marines, etc.. but all the skits and Disney joshing around, stealing batons, high-fiving, and raving should be removed next year. We’re Americans and we came to Scotland to enjoy Scottish and British traditions, not be met with goofing American acts. Please return dignity and tradition to next years show..this years version was a poor example of what it should be.

Very disappointing, mostly singing and even worst it was Americans for most of it, there was also a Highland rave with a literal DJ, no thanks. Who comes to the military tattoo to be sang to by American Disney singers (the Americans that make up half the crowd probobally love it). HM Royal Marines Band Service were stars of the show but they were only playing for 5-10 mins.

I wished I stayed in London instead of wasting nearly 2k flying up to Edinburgh for 4 days to watch a glorified London West End Musical I could have watched for £60 a ticket. The is no denying the beauty of architectural sandstone marvel like Edinburgh/Castle. Sadly the £230 VIP fast track seats saw you stood on the outside of the mass crowds waiting to get in , only to be allowed access at the same time as everyone else making a mockery of the words " fast track ". The 30ml of Whiskey on offer for £60 from the drinks sellers was as amusing as the 3rd rate song and dance routine we were subjected too from a over excited prancing American sailor and his chubby female counterpart, that takes up most of the show.
The mass pipes and drums being overshadowed as just an accompaniment to a boring show the producers are trying to portray, that really has no baring on the adverts/programme and expectations being fed us at the pre start.
This was a bucket list for myself and my wife to attend, and the seats near the front were a great idea, except the smell of the busy toilets near us wafting over the bitter winds just added to the torture of the musical we assumed was a military event. Sounds purely negative, but it is a honest experience.

This was a bucket list item for me and my wife. When the show began and the pipers and bands came into the arena. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up I thought wow amazing. However as the the show went on it quickly became a show of two halves, The military experience half , and the out of place theatrical part. What a disappointment. The organisers need to take on the feedback and get back to basics giving people what they came to see a military spectacle to be proud of.

Poor Scotland - what have you done. For several years this event you could find on our to do list. And now, we find no words to describe this absolutly bad show. We came to Edinburgh, from Germany, to see a military tattoo. We paid a lot of money but that doesn‘t matter. But now we feel betrayed. We think the rate of 1 star is to much. When we want to see bouncing und singing people we go everywhere else but not to a military tattoo. We are absolutely disappointed.
Next time we will go to Switzerland - Basel

A fantastic display of military music, dancing and history.
Performers from around the world.