Building the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Grandstand

USPA NEWS - The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a hallmark of the Edinburgh Festival since 1950 celebrates it's 75th Anniversary this year. The landmark event draws global military bands and performers for month of August. Staged on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, it attracts up to 8,800 attendees per night, requiring a massive temporary grandstand built in an incredibly complex setting.

The Challenge of Building in a Live Environment
Constructing this stadium-like structure happens in the heart of a busy tourist site. Despite 10,000 daily castle visitors, the grandstand must be b1uilt, operated, and dismantled with minimal disruption by a team of seasoned engineers from what can only be described as the biggest Meccano set in history. When not in use the structure is stored in a huge warehouse in Livingston. The meticulous build takes over 40 days to complete and a fraction shorter to dismantle. The tolerances are minute but what is more impressive is the way the stand is able to be erected within inches of centuries old statues and relics.

Built on History — Literally
The structure rests on piled foundations anchored in castle bedrock, with a steel-trussed frame erected by up to five cranes in tight working conditions. Once the frame is up, teams install aluminium decks and risers, VIP cabins, technical suites, WCs, and accommodation for performers. In the stand facing the Castle where you might expect to see Royalty and the top brass there is even a hospitality suite.

Here's the det from the Organisers

Friday, 1 August 2025 to Saturday, 23 August 2025
Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

We're excited to bring you Tattoo nostalgia with a modern twist.

The Heroes Who Made Us will run 1-23 August 2025 and celebrate the heroes of the Tattoo and our greatest hits from the last seven decades as we celebrate 75 years of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Pyrotechnic special effects, lasers, smoke/haze effects and strobe lighting will be used during the performances.

Should you have any accessible seating requirements, such as wheelchair or low level accessible seating, please call our Box Office on +44 131 225 1188 (Monday to Friday 10:00am-4:30pm), so that we may discuss your specific requirements. Alternatively email us at tickets@edintattoo.co.uk

Please also note that Audio Description (AD) is available at select performances (equipment is subject to availability). Please contact the Tattoo Box Office for further details (Click on link below)