Doin' the Tattoo in Edinburgh
Chances are, if you are in Edinburgh in August, you are going to be interested in doing the Tattoo.
No, AlteCocker is not talking about getting a tattoo (no capital letter), she is talking about the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
This display of massed pipe bands and a lot of other hooey is scheduled from August 2-22, 2013. The Tattoo is performed every night during that time period at the Edinburgh Castle except for Sundays.
According to the official web site the performances are at Monday-Friday at 9:00pm and Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and 10:30pm.
What makes the Tattoo a "must see" is the stage on which it is set. There can be no better place for this spectacle than Edinburgh Castle. High up on the hill at one end of the Royal Mile, it dominates the entire area. The Tattoo is performed in the courtyard with the Castle as a back drop. If you are in Edinburgh when the Tattoo is underway, you simply must go.
In addition to the usual massed pipes and military bands, this year's program includes is advertised as including entertainment from Central and South America and celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne.
The pricing structure is best explained on the website. AlteCocker did try and examine it and could only find information for one date at a time. This is one time when you will not want to buy the cheap seats. Spring for the top price seats and the bands will march down right at you. AlteCocker defies anyone not to be thrilled by this sight. This is a spectacle that cannot be matched anywhere else (at least AlteCocker does not know of anywhere else).
Now, please remember that it gets dark very late in Scotland in August. The best Tattoo performances are the ones on Saturday night at 10:30pm. All seats for those performances will cost more. Pay it and go if they are not sold out. At the end of the Tattoo there is a wonderful fireworks display with cannons booming off the battlements. YentaKvetch, who by no means is a fan of military music, has seen the Tattoo twice--in 1969 and in 1998 and loved it both times. Enough time has passed that she would consider a 3rd foray into this event should she exchange ever again in Edinburgh in August.
The one thing you should be aware of is that the Saturday late night Tattoo does leave you with the problem of getting home, if you cannot walk back to your hotel. A taxi queue of epic proportions will form outside the Waverly Train Station, and you should know of the problem in advance. The reason everyone who does not have a car needs a taxi is because the Edinburgh night bus service is virtually nonexistent.
As soon as the Tattoo is over, run as fast as you can out of the castle and take a left down the first street (streets are called "closes" in the area immediately surrounding the Castle). Then proceed as quickly as you can to the Waverly Train Station. The queue forms where the traffic enters and exits the station. You might want to scope this out in advance or ask at Tourist Information (located on Prince's Street opposite Jenner's Department Store). Compared to London, Edinburgh is a very small place and you should have no trouble figuring out what you need to do.
Everyone gets home eventually but it may take awhile, and--yes--the hassle is worth it.
You should buy your tickets as soon as your trip is planned. If you think you will be able to purchase them in Edinburgh after you arrive, don't count on it. They are usually sold out.
For further details check the official web site.
No, AlteCocker is not talking about getting a tattoo (no capital letter), she is talking about the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
This display of massed pipe bands and a lot of other hooey is scheduled from August 2-22, 2013. The Tattoo is performed every night during that time period at the Edinburgh Castle except for Sundays.
According to the official web site the performances are at Monday-Friday at 9:00pm and Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and 10:30pm.
What makes the Tattoo a "must see" is the stage on which it is set. There can be no better place for this spectacle than Edinburgh Castle. High up on the hill at one end of the Royal Mile, it dominates the entire area. The Tattoo is performed in the courtyard with the Castle as a back drop. If you are in Edinburgh when the Tattoo is underway, you simply must go.
In addition to the usual massed pipes and military bands, this year's program includes is advertised as including entertainment from Central and South America and celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne.
The pricing structure is best explained on the website. AlteCocker did try and examine it and could only find information for one date at a time. This is one time when you will not want to buy the cheap seats. Spring for the top price seats and the bands will march down right at you. AlteCocker defies anyone not to be thrilled by this sight. This is a spectacle that cannot be matched anywhere else (at least AlteCocker does not know of anywhere else).
Now, please remember that it gets dark very late in Scotland in August. The best Tattoo performances are the ones on Saturday night at 10:30pm. All seats for those performances will cost more. Pay it and go if they are not sold out. At the end of the Tattoo there is a wonderful fireworks display with cannons booming off the battlements. YentaKvetch, who by no means is a fan of military music, has seen the Tattoo twice--in 1969 and in 1998 and loved it both times. Enough time has passed that she would consider a 3rd foray into this event should she exchange ever again in Edinburgh in August.
The one thing you should be aware of is that the Saturday late night Tattoo does leave you with the problem of getting home, if you cannot walk back to your hotel. A taxi queue of epic proportions will form outside the Waverly Train Station, and you should know of the problem in advance. The reason everyone who does not have a car needs a taxi is because the Edinburgh night bus service is virtually nonexistent.
As soon as the Tattoo is over, run as fast as you can out of the castle and take a left down the first street (streets are called "closes" in the area immediately surrounding the Castle). Then proceed as quickly as you can to the Waverly Train Station. The queue forms where the traffic enters and exits the station. You might want to scope this out in advance or ask at Tourist Information (located on Prince's Street opposite Jenner's Department Store). Compared to London, Edinburgh is a very small place and you should have no trouble figuring out what you need to do.
Everyone gets home eventually but it may take awhile, and--yes--the hassle is worth it.
You should buy your tickets as soon as your trip is planned. If you think you will be able to purchase them in Edinburgh after you arrive, don't count on it. They are usually sold out.
For further details check the official web site.