Setting the major events

 Today, we purchased our tickets for the 2025 Royal Military Tattoo Festival and our tickets for the Jacobite steam train. It's going to be so awesome!!

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo


What is a Military Tattoo you ask? The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a yearly event that takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland. It features military band and performance teams from around the world set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.  Click here for more information. 

What happens?

  • The show includes music, dance, precision displays, and fireworks
  • A lone piper plays a lament on the castle ramparts
  • The audience sings "Auld Lang Syne"
  • A military flypast with jets concludes the show
  • The show ends with a march down the Royal Mile

What's the history?

  • The first Edinburgh Tattoo was held in 1950
  • Queen Elizabeth II added the word "Royal" to the title in 2010


We were able to get decent seats for the Tattoo. We're middle of the field, half way up the bleachers. We have folding seats, so we may want to get some portable cushions to take with us. Also, Sarah suggested we put in a set or two of binoculars. The binoculars will also be good for our Glen Affric excursion.

The Jacobite Steam Train


The Jacobite Steam Train is the Hogwarts train from Harry Potter. Click here for more information.




We purchased our tickets on line. We will be traveling on the train in First Class, which means that we'll get to ride in the "poshy" rail cars and have tea and coffee service. We'll be sharing a table with two other passengers. A great way to meet some other travelers.

We will catch the train in the early afternoon in Fort William and travel up to Mallaig to spend the day, then return late afternoon back to Fort William. It will be a very memorable adventure.

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