Royal Military Tattoo: Anyone going? Any advice?

[greed]

And if you don't have a coat suitable as a cushion, there's a cushion hire service for something like £2. Well worth it.

I would advise against bringing a real sgian dubh; event security always wants to be sure mine doesn't have a (usable) blade.

[Laird O'the Cowcaddens]

As someone who has participated in almost a dozen Tattoo performances I can't agree more with the solid advice that has been expressed here. The thrill of it has been a life long great memory, followed by being able to say in conversation, "Edinburgh Castle, oh eye I used to live there once in a while" LOL.

[LRRP]

I was fortunate enough to be invited by the UK MOD to a planning event that also included dinner with the Royal Highland Regiment Commander's house and a seat in the Royal Gallery. I had to wear my U.S. Army Mess Dress uniform (short waistcoat) but would have loved to wear my kilt (Clan Young). I saw several kilts but most people aren't wearing kilts. I think that if you wear a kilt, that you will be at home and no one will question why you are wearing a kilt. Enjoy the Tattoo!

[Octobrachium]

Thanks all for the sound advice! Yes, I will be suitably kilted, and will try to get some good pictures up once we're back. Good advice on the rain ponchos, we've taken care of that. The Edinburgh weather won't surprise us - and anyways, as we've learned from previous trips to Scotland, "if ye don't like the weather, wait five minutes".

Cheers - I'll let you all know how it went!

[Bluethunder90]

I just came back from a month long trip to Scotland. The high trmperatures there were hovering around 70- 73 degrees F

Wow! That's winter weather here in Hawaii and in Mississippi where I was born and raised, you don't start seeing temps that cool until the end of Oct.

[Father Bill]

Wow! That's winter weather here in Hawaii and in Mississippi where I was born and raised, you don't start seeing temps that cool until the end of Oct.

Sounds like a normal, comfortable summer to me.

[Octobrachium]

We're back! We had a great time at the Tattoo, including a wonderful dinner in the Amber restataurant at the Scotch Whisky Experience beforehand. The room was packed and a little too loud, but the food (mostly locally sourced) was very good - Scottish beef fillet medium-rared to perfection with a very savoury, excellent chive and radish potato cake was the main course. My wife and I were seated at a table with a Japanese couple on holiday, an older Australian couple on a five-month world trip, and a Texan-French couple. All gathered to celebrate Scottish culture and the global appeal of music. I enjoyed that very much, both for the friendly company and as a sign of the freedom the world has to offer, if we embrace it.

I also learned that Texans seem to look at kilt outfits with a different eye, as the Texan lady very politely complimented me on my belt buckle.

Of course, the real convenience was not having to stand in any sort of line to get to the Tattoo afterwards. The show was thoroughly enjoyable, great performances themed to the history of flight, coinciding with the 100th anniversary year of the Royal Air Force. Three acts I took special note of: the Swiss drummers of Top Secret were stand-outs for both their precision and creativity in drumming; the Tattoo Dance Company with an impressive 50-dancer sword dance choreography; and the USAF Honor Guard Drill Team, who fascinated even without musical accompaniment.

Some concerns about the weather were warranted. It rained when we went into town for the show and started to rain again towards the end of the show, but not so much that we had to disapper under ponchos. We sat on them instead, because the seats were still wet from rain earlier. With Argyl jacket, kilt and hose, temperatures around 15-18 °C were comfortable all night.

Speaking of, here is my wife's and my outfit for the night. She sewed the matching skirt (and top buttons) herself from the same Tartan cloth my kilt is made of (Aberdeen Forever). We got compliments all night. I was also told I "wear it well" by the Amber restaurant's Scottish head waiter, who seemed to enjoy seeing us. No other kilts at the dinner, though.





(My kilt hose are grey, matching the shirt, despite looking slightly greenish in the photo of me, taken at the end of the night back in the hotel).

And three impressions of where we were sitting - including a view of the final cast.



Recommendations I have from this first visit to the tattoo: As others have advised, take a rain poncho and don't expect high summer temperatures. We were wearing light jackets, and also borrowed an umbrella from our hotel for the way up the castle to not arrive soaking wet (stowed under our seats during the performance). We did not bring bags other than my sporran and her handbag, so we didn't have to keep an eye on luggage. Prepare to sit in the same spot for two hours. Don't forget to look at the projections on the castle wall illustrating the musical performances once in a while, they are worth it. Also stay an extra day or two to see some Edinburgh Fringe shows while you're there and the timing is right!

All in all, we had a great trip. If you ever have the chance, take it!

[LRRP]

I'm glad that you had a good time.

[Nomad]

You both look smashing, glad you enjoyed it and the weather behaved itself for most of the main event.

[cessna152towser]

Good photo, and thanks for the review of Edinburgh from a visitor angle.
I live just 55 miles from Edinburgh but very rarely go there, and have never been to the Tattoo nor had any desire to do so. However, one should never say never, as my wife who is German would like to see the Tattoo so maybe next year or the year after.
For our holidays we go the other way, onto mainland Europe and had a great time in Wurzburg in late July and early August, apart from the weather being much hotter than we are used to here in Scotland.