The Edinburgh Tattoo
- Duration: 4 days
- Board Basis: Bed & Breakfast
- Tour Ref: D2TNEW98510
Holiday Summary
- Travel Type: Air
3 nights. August 2025. From £689.00.
Massed Pipes and Drums
Witness the unforgettable drama, colour and spine-tingling excitement of the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Combine time spent exploring the Scottish capital’s elegant heart and Glasgow with an optional tour of the stunning summer scenery of the Trossachs National Park and a cruise across the waters of fabled Loch Lomond. Soak up the pomp and pageantry of this magical event – one of the highlights of the Scottish capital's festival season – as massed pipes and drums, dancers, and display teams create a dazzling spectacle.
What's Included
Three nights' bed and breakfast accommodationA seat for the Edinburgh Tattoo* (upgrade tickets available)
A short orientation tour of Edinburgh
A short orientation tour of Glasgow
Return flights to Glasgow, with coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Holiday Highlights
Enjoy a reserved seat to observe the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military TattooSet off on a short orientation tour of Edinburgh followed by free time to wander around at your leisure
Experience a short orientation tour of Glasgow with some time for self-exploration
Join an optional boat trip across Loch Lomond and a tour of the beautiful Trossachs
Take advantage of a central Glasgow accomodation
PLEASE NOTE: Price is per person and based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements and upgrades are not included.
Itinerary
Day 1
Make your own way or fly to Glasgow. Transfer to your centrally located hotel in the late afternoon where you’ll be welcomed by your tour manager. You’ll then have the rest of the day to explore Glasgow at your leisure, perhaps enjoying dinner at the hotel or one of the nearby restaurants.Day 2
This morning, you’ll set off to Edinburgh, a beautiful historic city that really buzzes during the famous festival season. Upon arrival, your tour manager will introduce you to the most famous sights before there’ll be free time to explore at your own pace. Seek out Princess Street, the historic Edinburgh Castle set atop Castle Rock, St Giles Cathedral, the Sir Walter Scott monument and the Royal Mile. You might also like to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official residence in Scotland while you’re here (entrance payable locally). To get into the spirit of things, why not call at the Spirit of the Tattoo? This interactive exhibition reveals the story and mythology surrounding the Tattoo and is an ideal way to learn a little more about the history of the famous event. Later, you’ll return to your coach to make your way to the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle for the performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - it’s a dazzling and unforgettable spectacle. Highlights include the sight of the massed pipes, drums and military bands as they emerge from the huge castle gates and fill the air with stirring music, and the iconic sight of the lone piper silhouetted against the backdrop of the sky as he patrols the battlements above.Day 3
Join your tour manager this morning on a short walking tour of Glasgow, followed by some time at your leisure. Spend some time exploring all that Glasgow has to offer, perhaps visiting the Glasgow Cathedral or City Chambers and strolling through George Square with beautiful views of the historic buildings in the centre of the city. Alternatively, take an optional excursion to the Trossachs and Loch Lomond, an outstandingly beautiful area of mountains, lochs, rivers and woodlands steeped in history. Later in the day, enjoy an hour-long circular cruise on one of the most scenic parts of the Loch, taking in Ben Lomond and the surrounding area. The live commentary on board will ensure that you don’t miss a thing.Day 4
Check out of the hotel and return to Glasgow airport today for your journey back home or make your own way. Back to topFurther Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 20 - 30 minutes depending on your chosen hotel.The transfer time from your Hotel to the Edinburgh Tattoo is approximately 60 - 70 minutes.Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.Ticket upgrades
You may like to upgrade your seat for the Tattoo. The seats are located in stands in a U shape around the castle esplanade. The more expensive the seats, the further away they are from the open part of the U, which is where the acts emerge onto the esplanade. *Cat B ticket included, you may be required to pay a surcharge at checkout to upgrade your ticket based on limited availability.Access to the Tattoo
There is a short but steeply inclined walk of 80 metres up Castlehill, the old cobbled approach to the Esplanade. There is then a further 60-metre walk on average, followed by steps up to the spectator stands where generally, the seating is quite steeply tiered. You will have plenty of time to make your way to and from the Esplanade and will be able to go at your own pace. Wheelchairs can be sited at ground level under the North stand at all performances and disabled toilets are available on the Esplanade.Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.Travelling to Europe
Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel. Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names. Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date"). Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Due to commence in 2025, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com. Back to top