Thursday September 3rd 2026
Constable Sukhvinder Sunger Pipe Major from The Canadian Police Pipe Band
This article has been written by Joe Gilhooley LRPS, Award winning and Licentaite of The Royal Photographic Society from Loanhead
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is world famous and draws annual audiences to the Tattoo on The Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle for 3 weeks each August.
People of many many nationalities visit Edinburgh and time their vacation to take in a performance of The Tattoo. Around 8,000 people enjoying each evening.
New Zealand Army Band performing the Haka to the audience
The 2026 Tattoo is the 76th annual event. The lead Armed Service for 2026 is the RAF. The Army, Navy and RAF take turns, year about. The 2026 theme is A Call to Gather.
The stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle makes the location unique and in darkness the light show projected onto The Castle walls is stunning.
Edinburgh Castle Esplanade awaiting The Tattoo start
Our award winning affiliated photographer, Joe Gilhooley LRPS from Loanhead was in the prime position on The Esplanade to witness and photograph the Tattoo, metres in front of him on two evenings. One wet, thankfully the second on a dry weather evening.
The Tattoo gets off to a traditional start; the Pipes and Drums, the cheers from the captivated audience to The Swirling sound of the Bag Pipes lets you know that this is one of the highlights of the evening to many.
Qatar Police Academy Band and Drill Team perform with castle light show background
Seamlessly, the ninety minute performance happens in Military precision. As one performance section ends, the next moves in. The choreographed light show and music is carried out with the backing of years of experience and it shows with the quality of the lighting action.
Sections in the 2026 Tattoo were from The Qatar Police Band and Drill Team, The New Zealand Army Band, The United States Army Field Band, The German Army Band Koblens. Not to forget the highly Professional Tattoo Dancers. Who change costume several times and are back on The Esplanade to entertain quickly. The RAF Kings Colour Squadron and UK Massed Military Bands (RAF) perform to signify The RAF being the lead for 2026.
German Army Band Koblenz Acordianist
As our Photographer was leaving and walking down the Royal Mile. He listened to many languages. The overriding feeling was that everyone was leaving the Tattoo enthralled and happy. The 2027 Tattoo tickets are already on sale. Our photographer chatted to people who hade booked their 2026 Tattoo tickets 10 months in advance.
Views of The Tattoo fro Salisbury Crags
United States Army Field Band entertain in song
Tattoo Dancers having fun as United States Army Band sing
The Tattoo Performers Dancer Western Style
New Zealand Army Band on parade
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