Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2013
For scale, no show in Edinburgh can rival the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Literally hundreds of performers, both from Scotland and bands and organisations from abroad, gather under the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. The series of displays, which take place on the castle esplanade (an 18th century parade ground), combine breathtaking shows of military precision, often a battle re-enactment, military bands, including the rousing mass pipes and drums.
The "ultimate crowd-pleaser", as former Edinburgh Lord Provost George Grubb called the Tattoo, sells out each year long before its Summer performances, with armies of people coming to Edinburgh by bus and coach each night during the Festival.
The Edinburgh Tattoo 2013 will be the third year of the Edinburgh Tattoo's £16 million pound new grand stand. The new stand boasts 8,700 seats, with a third more space per seat than the former grand stand, which had been in commission since 1972.
The full 2013 programme has yet to be announced, however this year's theme will celebrate the Year of Natural Scotland. Performers will be coming from Europe, the Far East, Central and South America.
2012 programme
One of the highlights of the 2012 programme is Switzerland's Top Secret Drum Corps, as well as the Norwegian Armed Forces - His Majesty The King's Guard Band and Drill Team - and dancers from home and abroad.
A strong Commonwealth contribution includes pipe bands and performers from Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand, as well as elements from further afield.
As always, the programme will include the rousing gathering of the Massed Pipes and Drums and the Massed Military Bands. Among this year's bands will be The Royal Regiment of Scotland and a Combined Band drawn from The Royal Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force.
The Tattoo draws to a close with the traditional lone piper playing from the castle ramparts.
The 2011 Edinburgh Tattoo saw a Dutch mounted bicycle band and samba sounds of a Brazilian marching band).
Edinburgh Tattoo 2013 times
Monday - Friday: 9pm to 10.30pm
Saturday early show: 7.30pm to 9.00pm
Saturday evening show: 10.30pm to Midnight
Sunday: no performance
Edinburgh Tattoo 2013 tickets (website)
Ticket prices
£24 - £60 (prices depend on seat location, Saturday seats £2 extra)
Ticket sales dates
Postal bookings deadline is Friday 16 November 2012 for processing from 3 December
Online bookings are accepted from 10am, 3 December (limit to 8)*
Phone bookings are accepted from 10am, 3 December (cc only) *
Counter bookings are accepted from 10am, 10 December
N.B. Half-price Tattoo tickets for the preview show (when the media are recording the performance) went on sale from 10am on the last Monday in July.
* £5 booking fee per transaction
