The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Since 1950 the The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been an annual event held at the city's castle during the period of the Edinburgh Festival and is attended by more than 250,000 people each year. The varied programme includes music from the massed pipes and drums of the Scottish Regiments and its international flavour is provided by the participation of foreign units from all over the globe. The delicate play of lights on the Castle ramparts, the vibrancy of the music and the excited applause of the thousands of spectators make this a spectacle that is unrivalled. Early booking is essential due to the limited availability of tickets. NEW for 2025 - Three Bridges Lunch Cruise along the Firth of ForthHighlights
- Hotel for 3 or 4 nights- Breakfast each day & 2 or 3 evening meals- Porterage & welcome drink on arrival- Tea / coffee after dinner- Three Bridges Lunch Cruise on Tattoo day (all tours)- Time in Edinburgh (all tours)- Entrance to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with mid-priced seats (all tours)- Free time in Gretna Green & visit to Dumfries (4 day tour only)- Full Day Tour of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs (5 day tour only)- Visit to Largs (5 day tour only)Please be aware there is a steep walk up to the castle from the coach drop off point.

Your Itinerary
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, the motorway network takes you northbound with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Arriving at your hotel early evening. Please note: Accommodation is on half board basis and bed & breakfast on Edinburgh/Tattoo day.Day 2 - 3 (4) At leisure with 2 included excursions on 4 day tour or 3 included excursions on 5 day tourEdinburgh, Three Bridges Lunch Cruise & Military Tattoo (All Tours)\nHead to the handsome city of Edinburgh with the first stop of the day at South Queensferry to board your 90-minute Three Bridges Lunch Cruise along the Firth of Forth. Enjoy unrivalled views of all three bridges, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from the water. Enjoy the beautiful panoramas of the Edinburgh skyline to the south and the Kingdom of Fife to the north as well as the island of Inchcolm, the 'Iona of the East' with its medieval abbey. Look out for the marine wildlife and you may be lucky to see seals, porpoises and puffins. A delicious buffet lunch will be served in the saloon on board and there are toilet facilities as well as a bar serving hot & cold drinks (additional cost). Head back into Edinburgh City Centre with time for shopping and sightseeing before the evening performance of the Tattoo. You may like to join the optional guided city tour (details from your driver). Edinburgh Castle has dominated its surroundings with majesty for centuries. This evening, climb the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle and take your seats for the world famous Tattoo - mid price seats included. As hush falls and darkness deepens, the great oak gates of the Castle sweep open and the swell of the pipes and drums cracks through the night sky. NB: You do not return to the hotel until after theTattoo. Lunch included on cruise but evening meal at your leisure (not included) in Edinburgh. BB\n\nPLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE IS A STEEP WALK UP TO THE CASTLE FROM THE POINT THE COACH DROPS YOU OFF.\n\nGretna Green & Dumfries (4 day tour only)\nThe home of weddings and the wedding capital of the UK, the Famous Blacksmiths Shop, in Gretna Green, has over 260 years of history and heritage, joining couples since 1754. Runaway couples, seeking marriage outside of the restrictions of England and Wales, began converging on Gretna Green, the first stop in Scotland to tie the knot. It is now a world-class destination with its historic musem, famous brand shopping and an award-winning food hall. A brand new Gretna Green visitor experience opened in 2022 for a fully immersive look into the world's greatest love story (entrance not included - £8.50 pp in 2023) .Enjoy free time this morning in Gretna before heading off later to the historic market town of Dumfries which straddles the banks of the River Nith. This former royal burgh has its fair share of historic gems and is laced by atmospheric lanes and quarters as well as its it trademark red-hued sandstone bridges. The town has been home to a number of famous individuals including Peter Pan author JM Barrie and British Formula One racing driver David Coulthard, but its most famous former resident is Robert Burns who spent his final years here. Dumfries' museums are a treasure trove for uncovering the local history. DBB\n\nLoch Lomond & Trossachs National Park (5 day tour only)\nThe first stop of the day on your included excursion will be the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond; one of the prettiest and largest lochs in the whole of Scotland. Time permitting your driver will offer a boat trip on the Loch taking in spectacular views of the loch's many islands and surrounding mountains. Alternatively, take a stroll through one of the picturesque loch side villages with its quaint houses, cafes and stunning views across Loch Lomond's shoreline. We continue through the Trossachs National Park, also known as 'the Highlands in Miniature' for it's abundance of lochs, mountains and forests. It's also famous for the legendary outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor. DBB\n\nLargs (5 day tour only)\nThe traditional Victorian waterfront resort of Largs, which is reminiscent of bygone seaside days of gentle pleasures with its promenade, minigolf, old-fashioned eateries and ice cream parlours - a visit to Nardini's, Scotland's most famous ice cream parlour, is a must! Enjoy a slice of retro Scotland! The town is also famed for a battle in 1263 when the Vikings, attempting to land from a fleet of longboats, were repulsed by the army of Alexander III. This Viking heritage is celebrated at Vikingar!, a multi-media Viking-themed attraction complete with replica 8th century Norwegian Longhouse (not included). DBB\n\nReturn Day- After breakfast, return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid evening.Please note: Itinerary may change due to the availability of ticketsYour Hotels
Gretna Hall Hotel, Gretna Green (4 day tour only)\n\nOriginally built in 1710 as a private manor house, 3* Gretna Hall is set in 10 acres of beautiful gardens. It offers all the character of a substantial historical building, with all the comfort you would expect from a contemporary hotel. The hotel is just a short walk to Gretna Town Centre as well as Gretna Retail Outlet as well as the Famous Blacksmith's Shop itself. \n\nThe perfect place for a stroll out during your stay. All rooms have TV, Free WiFi and tea/coffee making facilities. \n\nThere is a comfortable bar, a stylish restaurant and a lift as well as some ground floor rooms. Singles are double/twin for sole use.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRiverside Lodge Hotel, Irvine (5 day tour only)Located on the outskirts of Irvine overlooking a golf course, the refurbished 4* Riverside Lodge Hotel offer stylish, comfortable accommodation in very pleasant surrounds. \n\nThe fresh and airy en-suite rooms feature tea / coffee making facilities, TV and free Wi-Fi. There is a contemporary restaurant and spacious lounge bar. \n\nThere is no lift but some ground floor rooms. Singles are double / twin for sole use\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n