The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Reviews 

So disappointed, Not my first REMT but may be my last. Titled Journeys (no idea what journey we were supposed to be on) compared to last years “Storey” which got 10 out 10 in every section.
For us someone this year forgot that “Military” in
the title is what makes the difference from just a show. Why did we not have bands from all the different armed forces, why did we have Bollywood in the middle or a DJ on a pedestal thing, I have nothing against either in rightsetting but there nothing military about it , actually embarrassing how badly they looked compared to the precision military ladies and gents.
The drummers were fantastic but so far down the parade ground area that unless you were a VIP of in lower end of the area you couldn’t see what they were doing. If you sat in section 17 mayas well not be there as apart from seeing entry on to parade you basically looked at the back of the heads of musicians etc.no one came up in singing sections, or dancing parts.
To clarify I have sat in various sections over the years for variety of reasons from cost to wanting a different view(we certainly got that). The personnel who took part were fantastic and skilled, many thanks for your time and sharing with us.
Lastly to the makers of journeys please take note of a lot of disappointed tattoo goers , we want the Edinburgh Military Tattoo back with all our forces marching ,playing making us gasp with appreciation for how they do do it all;
They deserve to have their moment .

Agree with everything said by others
Not going again until they bring back a proper military tattoo!
Have been going for 20 years, every year. Really upset at always part of our summer holiday in Edinburgh
Shame on the organisers to have a non Scot as CEO
Put the present one in the tower in the castle and throw away the key!😁

Dress code for Royal Edinburgh Tattoo states no sports shoes. Does the organisers not realise that most elderly people now wear sports shoes for comfort. Visit to Doctor today where I was advised to only wear sports shoes for health.

Eventually phoned as I notice from other reviews they did not reply. Enquired about the footwear I have for age and health and got a positive answer.

I came all excited to see a MILIATARY tattoo, i had been told and seen shows from previous years, how wonderful it was.
What we felt we got was an americanised disneyisque production, with an end song that just went on and on and on, with pretty twinkling stars and cartoons being projected onto the castle.
Dont get me wrong the pipers were amazing, but the glitz and glamour of everything else had us perplexed.
Although hosted by the Royal Navy, a guard with 2 lines doesnt cut it. Any military performance was dominated by the yanks.
We walked away feeling a little disappointed and maybe a little ripped off. It was my first time to Scotland, the birthplace of my grandparents, and the tattoo was going to be a highlight, but alas it was a dissapointment. I will say the cast and crew did an amazing performance for a disney show, lots of hard work and practise, so they should feel proud of themselves. This review does not reflect on the performers.

Very disappointed.
No commentary to introduce the bands and music as in previous years.
It just sort of started then it finished.
No military things like previous years as in mock battles, horses or the motorbike displays, no Marine competitions.
There were quite a few empty seats.

What a very disappointing evening. This should have been called the "Edinburgh Show"; miss out the words "Military Tattoo". No British RAF and no Army representatives apart from the Pipes & Drums and the Royal Marine Band who were brilliant. There were a few Royal Navy ratings, but only to open the car door for the guest of honour. Singing, dancing and even a DJ Podium Booth; I don't consider this to be part of the military.

We came to see the Tattoo with friends and were very disappointed. The military side was not broadcasted properly. There were very little shown in comparison to what we saw 2 years ago. We saw the Tattoo 2 years ago which was fantastic, unbelievable and definitely worth seeing. Bring back what we saw 2 years ago.

I was clearly not alone in finding the 2024 Tattoo a major disappointment.I’ve been a tattoo goer since childhood in the mid 1960’s off and on.It always had a emotional element and made you proud of your national heritage.Not so this year.It was a dire mix of mediocre performances not even worthy of a second rate cruise line.The Royal Marines are usually a guaranteed draw-but they were lumbered with a tacky medley of opening bars from various well known marches.The “lump on the throat” of the masses pipes and drums was absent.The drum corps were a third rate imitation of the usual Secret Drum Corps of Switzerland and the lack of informative commentary throughout was a major omission.Cannot possible recommend in the future unless someone who knows what it’s all about delivers a performance to be proud of.I notice another reviewer refers to a US CEO .If that is the case -it’s about time that someone with a proper understanding of the history of the event was brought in without delay.

My first time to Scotland and I was very excited to get tickets to the Tattoo, sadly I was very disappointed.
I totally agree with other reviews, this was a musical not a Military Tattoo. A little bagpipe and drums at the beginning and end and the rest was dancing and singing.
How can you have a military tattoo and not even play Highland Cathedral?
This was not what I came to see.
I looked up last year's show on YouTube and wished I had been able to see that.

It's the Edinburgh tattoo now not the military Tattoo , was a great show but the rave part was unnecessary unfortunately the show now gives no talk on the bands and places where from and not everyone looks at the castle wall to know who's what

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