The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Edinburgh, 17th August 2017 – Britain is a fighting nation with a long tradition of combat and military discipline. If you ever doubt that, go to the Tattoo in Edinburgh. Even if the event is all about music, you enter the spectator stands under a threatening fighter plane. The Tattoo was first organised in 1950 and as from 1952, when the Dutch Grenadiers were invited, foreign participants take part in the show. The word ‘tattoo’ derives from the cry of innkeepers in the Low Countries in the 17th and 18th centuries. At closing time, the fifes and drums of the local regiment would march through the streets, their music signalling a return to quarters, and the shout would go up – ‘Doe den tap toe’ (‘turn off the taps’). Just before the start of the show, a poor fellow behind us literally has a heart attack. In the confusion, they carry him away from the stands on stretchers. I hope he is doing well now. The show is amazing. English and American bands give great performances, the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force do a Samurai fight. Also the Indian Naval Band is present, celebrating their country’s 70 years of independence. The speaker even apologises. With some guilt in his voice, he says Britain made mistakes in handling the partition of British India. The number of regiments walking in and out of the gates of Edinburgh Castle are countless but the Scottish ones steal the show. When the famed Massed Pipes & Drums march in, the crowd gets mad. Hundreds of pipers and drummers create an iconic sound on the esplanade. The light show on the Castle is unique. This is great entertainment. Satisfied we go back to our hotel. I just did not get the point of the projection of a dove of peace on the castle walls and a moment after that a mock fighter jet bomb attack with a giant explosion. The Romans said: ‘Si vis pacem, para bellum’ or ‘If you want peace, prepare for war’. Maybe that is what it is all about. 

Drummer forcing his way through the crowd before the Military Tattoo (FDC)

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