Landmark contribution marks the Tattoo’s largest ever investment in arts and cultural organisations

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has announced the largest charitable donation in its history, awarding a monumental £1.5 million to good causes following the success of its 2025 Show, The Heroes Who Made Us.

The record-breaking total will support 15 military and arts charities, significantly increasing funding across the Tattoo’s full charity portfolio and ensuring vital support reaches organisations working with communities and individuals most in need.

Between 2016 and 2019, the Tattoo donated £1 million annually to charitable causes, before contributions were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Setting an ambitious goal to return to and surpass this figure by 2025, the organisation has now exceeded expectations, marking a major milestone in its 75-year history.

The announcement follows an additional £157,000 donation to St Columba’s Hospice, generated through a 2025 initiative that saw 75p from every ticket sale donated to the Edinburgh hospice.

The charity milestone comes as the organisation looks ahead to its 2026 Show, A Call To Gather, with creative ambitions continuing to evolve under the Tattoo’s Creative Director, Alan Lane.

The Show is inspired by tradition rooted in Scottish identity, which saw the gathering of the clans become a gathering of nations, allies, friends, and kindred spirits, all with a shared purpose. The call has gone out to attend the must-see Tattoo performance in the summer of 2026.

Bill Morris LVO, Board Chairman of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “This extraordinary £1.5 million donation represents the very heart of what the Tattoo stands for which is using our global platform to make a meaningful difference. The success of the 2025 Show has allowed us not only to honour our past, but to invest in causes that will have a lasting impact on lives across the UK and beyond. We are immensely proud of what has been achieved and grateful to everyone who played a part in reaching this milestone.”

Jason Barrett, Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “2025 was a monumental year for the Tattoo, and it’s incredibly special to see that success translated into tangible support for so many charitable causes.

“We are of course proud to continue our long-standing support for our military colleagues, but this year also marks our largest ever donation to the arts. At a time when arts organisations are under increasing pressure, this contribution recognises the powerful connection between the arts, performance and the military – a connection that the Tattoo embodies so successfully.

“This achievement belongs to our performers, our teams, and the audiences who joined us night after night and sets an exciting foundation as we enter 2026.”

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns for their 2026 Show, A Call to Gather from 7-29 August and tickets can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188.