The Edinburgh Tattoo brings Scotland to Eden Park: Five things you need to know about summer’s biggest show

Dionne Christian

New Zealand Listener·

18 Feb, 2026 04:58 PM3 mins to read

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Scenes from the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo’s The Heroes Who Made Us. Photos / Supplied / Ian Georgeson.

When the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo opens this evening (Thursday, 19 February) at Eden Park, it will be the biggest show of summer. Around 1300 performers from 30 pipe and drum bands representing 12 countries take part in a full-scale show, The Heroes Who Made Us, which will be watched
live by up to 100,000 spectators across three nights.

Here are five things you might not know about military tattoos:

It’s got absolute nothing to do tattoos, so don’t expect body art: The name comes from a 17th century Dutch phrase, dating back to the Thirty Years’ War. Drummers or trumpeters would be dispatched each evening to sound a signal to innkeepers that it was time to doe den tap toe (turn off the tap) and soldiers should stop drinking and return to their barracks. Basically, the tradition started as a bedtime reminder and is named after last orders at the bar. The Tahitian word tatau was the one that gave us tattoo as in ink on skin.

It’s slightly bigger now: The bedtime call, the First Post, was at 9:30pm and then the final reminder – the Cinderella moment, if you like – was the Last Post at 10pm. During time, musicians figured they could add another song or two, and perhaps experiment with some choreography. Fast forward to the late-19th century and you had full-on pipe and drum band displays, known as tattoos, which were popular as summer shows in military and garrison towns. As well as the music, the marching, dances and cultural performances, today’s military tattoos feature cutting-edge lighting, immersive sound design and visuals. These special effects are designed to transform Eden Park into a high-tech version of the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle.

It’s an international phenomenon: The show that arrives in Auckland from Brisbane is The Heroes Who Made Us, part of the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo’s 75th anniversary celebrations. UK military bands from The Royal Navy, The Army and Royal Air Force perform, as well as His Majesty’s Royal Marines Band & Royal Drum Corps UK, the Australian Defence Force’s Air Force, His Majesty’s Armed Forces Royal Corps of Musicians Tonga, His Majesty the King’s Guard Band and Drill Team of Norway, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Band.

It features local talent, too: The New Zealand Defence Force Guard of Honour and Combined Services Band, the City of Invercargill Highland Pipe Band, Pipes and Drums of Christchurch City, the NZ Army Band, and the Auckland Police Pipe and Drums join the international contingent. Ngā Tūmanako Te Matatini kapa haka also performs. Kapa haka groups first travelled to Scotland to perform in the tattoo in 2014, while the NZ Army Band has been many times.

It recognises and creates connection: Some 20% of New Zealanders claim Scottish ancestry. When it comes to the all-in massed pipes and drums, per capita New Zealand has as many grade-one pipe bands as Scotland. Producers say the Tattoo can be seen “as a catalyst for bringing together military and civil societies and forging links between Scotland and the international community.” The Tattoo is a not-for-profit organisation and has gifted millions to military and arts charities.

Tattoo CEO Jason Barrett says while the event theme is “The Heroes Who Made Us”, it’s not just about military heroes “but also those who put service above themselves; the heroes every day mentoring young people”.

The Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo is at Eden Park on Thursday 19, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February. Gates open 6pm; show starts at 8pm.

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