The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is held every August at Edinburgh Castle.This is an experience that should be on everyone's "bucket list." For several years running, I've watched it on television, but that pales into insignificance after seeing it live.

The Tattoo was first performed in 1950, as the army in Scotland's contribution to the Edinburgh International Festival, which runs at the same time. Now, it's grown to be an event in its own right, and, although the event takes place nightly for nearly a month, for the last ten years 100 percent ticket sales have been achieved -- that's about 217,000 backsides on seats every year. No wonder that, to get the tickets for the dates you want, you need to book in the previous autumn! (Or book an escorted tour that includes the Tattoo on its August Scotland itinerary.)

There may be just one drawback to the Tattoo venue. Although Edinburgh Castle makes a spectacular backdrop, it was designed to keep people out, rather than allow them expeditious entry. So, the time between arrival at the entrance, and taking your seat may be a little longer than you're used to, especially at peak times. There's usually quite a crowd there, it's usually a friendly one, and the staff do everything they can to ease matters.

Variety of Performances at the Tattoo

Although the main ethos is Scottish, it's by no means a purely Scottish event. In 1952, the band of the Royal Netherlands Grenadiers, as well as performers from Canada and France took part. Since then, participants have come from over 40 countries. Neither is it solely military, or confined to music. Dancers, flag-wavers, drill teams and police dogs are among the myriad of performers who have taken part over the years.

This year, 2009, was the 60th season of this rousing spectacle, and also the 250th anniversary of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. So, singers and dancers paid tribute to his work, which includes the second most popular song in the world, Auld Lang Syne, which is sung at every Tattoo.

Two acts came from Switzerland. Owing to their terms of military service, they have a vast pool of talented professional musicians they can draw on for the Central Band of their Army. They didn't confine themselves to traditional military band instruments, either; an alpenhorn and a guitar made their appearance at some point in their act. And, one of their members gave a superb demonstration of yodeling.

The other Swiss act was, for me, the favorite. The civilian "Top Secret Drum Corps" gave a performance that had jaws dropping an amazement... including that of my 14-year-old grandson, who owns a drum kit, and has aspirations to become a drummer. And, when they put the lights out, and set fire to the ends of their drumsticks...

From Edinburgh's twin city, Xi'an, in China, came the She Hou Cultural Act, with dancers, musicians and stilt walkers, and from Tonga, the brass band of the Royal Corps of Musicians.

Military Demonstrations, Bands & the Lone Piper

But, to remind us that the military isn't all about bands, ceremonial and marching, the RAF Regiment gave us a demonstration of battlefield medical rescue. A short tribute was paid to Henry Allingham, a survivor of World War I, and a founder member of the Royal Air Force, who died recently at the age of 113.

However, most people came to see the bands... the massed pipes and drums of far too many organizations to list here and the Massed Bands of the Royal Air Force. Also there were the Pipes & Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland -- their recently released CD won the coveted Classical Brits award.

Usually, the performance climaxes with a lament played by the Lone Piper on the battlements of the castle, and ends with the pipes playing the Black Bear, the traditional tune played by pipe bands returning to barracks. But, if you attend the second performance on Saturday night, there's a firework display, too. And, that alone is well worth the entry fee!