Californian Reacts | The Massed Pipes and Drums - Edinburgh Military Tattoo 

I was a soldier in a Scottish Regiment for some 32years. There is no prouder moment than marching with the Pipes and Drums. As my auld Granny used to say, 'It wid bring tears tae a gless eye!' Took part in and attended, many a Tattoo over the years. SAOR ALBA!

I was there last summer!!! One of the most incredible experiences of my life!!!

I get serious goosebumps when they march out at the end to the Black Bear.

I am English, the pipes and drums send shivers up my spine and the hairs on my arms stand up!!

I was there when I was 15 yrs old, I am 75 and still it makes my heart jump with joy, My father was in the Royal Scots, His cousins were Pipers and even go to play the Last Post,,,We are all Mac Donald's of the Isles.....I will never forget my time being there,It was and is still wonderful......

The majority of the Massed Pipes and Drums are British Military bands intermixed with guest bands from around the world. I believe the guest bands are invited over for the Tattoo in August and commit to about 4 weeks of performances.

Took part as a Piper in 1994 and been 7 times to watch and going again this year - Spine tingling to hear the "Bear" and think it was the last tune I played on the esplinade

I'm lucky enough to be from Edinburgh and enjoy this spectacle every year. If this doesn't stir the feeling of National pride I don't know what does.

I performed in the tattoo as a flag bearer for the UN in 2000. There are no words for how it feels to march out through 500 pipes and drums as they play! Did it every night and had me in tear every time ❤

as a piper in the US i will say hearing and playing them is always an amazing experience.

The energy, pageantry & perscion is AMAZING. Attended by international audience. No dry eyes by the finale. Makes me proud of my country

The pipes and drums marched through my village on there way to the local war memorial and it was indescribable the feeling it gave me was intense and I live 2 houses away from a piper teacher so hear them every day and as a scotsman every time I hear the pipes I either want to go to war or dance one of the two. Pipers are very common in Scotland

There is nothing quite like the wall of sound you get from massed pipes - every atom of your soul is vibrating! Very moving and emotional. Anyone who complains they don't like the noise, it's because they're not meant to be heard indoors!

I hear it every year from my house.. Nothing can describe the feeling you get hearing this echoing from the sky. Just pure magical💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

It’s the drummers with the drum sticks, I love that sound. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😅😅😅😅

I went many years ago with friends. We trained to be nurses in Edinburgh. It was very expensive for us but our parents helped out as none of us were from Scotland and would probably never have the opportunity to go again once we qualified. It was the happiest of times we often went to the Castle on our lunch break.

There are Scottish pipe band festivals in Colorado Springs occasionally. Great times.

I once went to "The Tattoo" as we locals say, many years ago (60+) and as I was quite young I remember very little. The Tattoo is VERY popular and you need to apply for tickets a year in advance and if you do go, wear something waterproof because if it rains there is no cover available.

I’m Scottish and I went with an American friend years ago. We had mild, dry weather and it was great sitting there. The show was really good , There were groups from all over the World but the mass pipes and drums were amazing. There was also a lone piper on the Castle battlements The tickets have to be booked well in advance but there are a lot of performances. Every year, highlights are on BBC television so it might be possible to watch abroad.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to play in the massed pipes and drums this year at REMT. An incredible experience!

I believe it ranges from 90 minutes to 2 hours. It is full of lots of different performances like this from completely different military acts all around the world. It is held in August during the time of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe - which is the largest performing arts festival in the world.

Scottish American fighting Woke madness wherever it resides.

Having lived in Edinburgh for almost 60 years, I have been to 11 Tattoos. I even took part in the 1983 Tattoo whilst serving in the military. I believe the best pipes and drums tune is Black Bear, the traditional return to barracks for Scottish Regiments!!!

Nice one mate. I live about 70-80 miles south of Edinburgh and have been to this tattoo many times. As a piper I have had the honour and privilege of playing in it many times as well as other tattoo 's and events around the world. You must go if you can and if you like the pipes and drums. You have just made me feel so lucky to have done this in my life as I am now 60 and still playing pipes. Best wishes everyone.

Nothing like the pipes! good on the Scots, magnificent! I'm English, just love this.

Been there as both a viewer and once as a photographer. On the esplanade, on dress rehearsal night, as the performers, pipe bands and all merge around you. Quite spectacular.

To sit on those seats - high above Princes Street Gardens -& hear the drone of the pipes coming nearer, & then gradually enter through the drawbridge, is something you will never forget. The TV footage will never be able to match the magic of the Tattoo live. It lasts for about 2 hours with performers from around the world & ending with the lone piper - high up on the Castle walls. Truly magical.

I played in it in 2018. The sound of it out in the middle is something else. It's actually easy enough to get tickets if you book early.

After the mass bands retreat they return to barracks playing Scotland the Brave and the Black Bear. (I have loved the Black Bear since I was a little girl.) The bands leave the castle and members of the public stand outside waiting for them. Each year after the tattoo I wait for that footage to be posted on youtube. It's the best part of the festival for me. Here's one. Starts at 3:22 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MClv6aL7TEw.html

My memories of the Tattoo go back to the very first one. It used to happen a little later in the year, the seating was scaffolding built by the squaddies, the lights were anti-aircraft lights, manned by soldiers (UK still had conscription then) and all of the personnel were serving soldiers. I remember coming to Edinburgh in a tour bus with representatives of nearly every family in our tiny village. Most of all, though, I remember the stink of wet uniforms. Khaki uniforms were bad enough, but add in kilts and plaids. BTW, my uncle was a piper, (Seaforths) and he was a serving soldier, during his posting to the city he and my aunt lived in Edinburgh. Some weekends I’d get to stay with them, and that occasionally coincided with Tattoo times. As many people will tell you, it rains a lot in Edinburgh! Over the years I’ve been many times, and, if you ever manage to make it to the Tattoo, I recommend taking a light raincoat or even a plastic poncho. You might not need it, after all it doesn’t always rain, but be a Boy Scout and Be Prepared!

Been to a few of them as my husband was in the Army and stationed in the Castle

5:51 I have been to the tattoo 3 times, it is fantastic. Will certainly be going again. My grandparents lived in Scotland for many years and two of my Uncles were born there. I live the Scottish people.

Makes me proud to be a Scotsman.🥁

Myself and my two sisters were competitive highland dancers and my brother is a piper. Loved this video, thank you for enjoying it so much.

My son David started playing the bagpipes at age 10 he's bow 42. The music is in our very souls every Scotsmans soul. Love from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 x

I live in NW Scotland, and worked in Edinburgh for a while, Ive been to the Tattoo about 3 times and watch it religiously on TV every year. Living in the Highlands I hear bagpipes often, pipe bands for some occasions, lone pipers "busking" in our town square during tourist season. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual event, held (amazingly enough) in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. As others have already said, you need to book a good year in advance, and also book your accommodation well in advance, as the Edinburgh Arts Festival and Fringe are international events. You would probably need to fly into London and then go on to Edinburgh either by train or air. The massed pipes and drums can leave the hair on the back of your neck standing on end. The pipes were originally a way of calling the Highland Clans into battle.

I’m English, but my wife’s father is Scottish and so she has been to this event with her Dad. So fun for me to take her to visit my sister, who as a Medieval re-enactor musician, plays the English bagpipes, that are older.

Was there last year. Truly amazing. Nothing like the sound of the pipes and drums.

I live in Edinburgh and have been to the tattoo many times. It’s an unforgettable experience especially with the castle in the background.

As a Scot and not military I have a feeling they are saying if we can do this in music, what can we do in battle, do not mess with us

Many of the regiments in the Canadian Army have Pipe and Drum bands. The Toronto Police Services and the Toronto Fire Department each have a Pipe and Drum band. It is seldom to have a parade in Canada and not have at least one Pipe and Drum band.

For about 1000 years the Sassenachs (i am one) and Jocks have fought each other. The British Army always has a Piper when we go to War. Do you fancy facing these Jocks on the battle field? 😄

It is an absolutely wonderful thing to see; and it's different every year, so you never get bored. All the best from a Edinburgh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

It’s an amazing experience and worth seeing if you can. I believe the flag is the city of Edinburgh Flag depicting the Scottish Saltire lion and castle

I'm English, and saw the tattoo in 2013, I can remember sitting on the bench, cold and drizzling rain, thinking what on earth am I doing here, this is going to be soooo boring. The best thing I've ever seen, the dark, cold and drizzel were forgotten immediately, it was a wonderful sight, and so moving when the pipes appeared. Performances from all over the world, The Black Bear marching off at the end, wonderful. The event is perfectly run, no hiccups at all, its on for 10 evenings, the tickets go in hours, all performances sell out. See it if you can, a once in a lifetime experience ❤

At the march past ,various bands were passing (lots of cheers etc)an American lady standing next to me said in an American drawl "I wanna see men in kilts "--two minutes latter she got her wish ----and exclaimed in a loud voice "OH MY --OH MY ! to much laughter

I went with my daughter a few years ago ,absolutely loved every minute of the tattoo.. the weather was kind to lol

I was attached to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in the 1970s, still brings a tear to my eyes this wonderful music ,Regiments and tradition.

I’ve been when my cousin visited from the US. It is an amazing night out but been at several concerts at the castle since and the seats are bloody uncomfortable! 😏 The cannon you refer to is Mons Meg and it’s still there at the castle. I am often in Long Beach, as I have family there, and have visited the QM many times but have never caught the Scottish festival. Hopefully will some day.

I’ve attended about 8 times but also played drums in a pipe band when I was younger and played in a tattoo many years ago. It runs Monday to Saturday throughout August each year.

I have been twice, but many years ago in the 1980s. The show runs for 3 weeks in August during the Edinburgh Festival, every night except Sunday, with two shows on Saturdays (each about 90 minutes). It also goes ahead whatever the weather, so you need to take waterproofs.

It’s fantastic to watch.

The "flag" 2:56 is the standard of the Duke of Rothesay (then Prince Charles and now Prince William) who was in attendance at this event. The Edinburgh Tattoo extends daily over 22 days with one performance per day (3 hrs) with two performances at 6.15pm and 9.30pm on Saturdays. It is the most prominent tattoo of its type on the planet so I am not sure how anyone would not have known about it.

At the end of the Tattoo a Lone Piper plays a Lament at the top of the castles walls.

Three more weeks to go until my 8th Edinburgh trip with a visit to the REMT. Already counting the days. Scotland Forever! 🥃

I have been three times to the Tattoo. Twice in the Royal Box and once as a dancer. The beautiful thing about this occasion is the piping, harmony's and fine tuning are amazing. As a young girl in school we were taught the laments and strathspeys' and reels and enjoyed singing and dancing them. I am astonished that you haven't heard about American Piping and amazing Highland Dancers you produce. World Champions!!! As for The Queen Mary, well the LA Scots play there and my pal is one of those Grade 1 pipers. The link between the Highland Way of life and America goes back to 1745 and the Jacobite Rebellion.

You may have noticed that the pipers in this massed band include military pipers, not only from Scotland, but also Ireland, the Gurkha Regiment, and from India, where the pipes were introduced in colonial days (as they were to Canada, Pakistan, Malaysia, Jordan, and even some US police bands).

It is normally on in August

The highland games is a must for you to attend - the log - as you described it - is tossing the caber - Which rules are - having to toss it the furthest, but for the LOG to fall the straightest - a lot harder than you think! Being among the Scots will make you feel their love and friendliness! We are still the nation the English want to concur! In their dreams!

I’ve been to see it twice.It’s brilliant.Mons Meg the cannon is still in Edinburgh castle.

The guys in green and orange kilts are Irish pipers.

I grew up about 400 yards from the Castle in Edinburgh. Many schools, big companies, youth groups, clubs, government organizations have a pipe band. I learned the pipes as a boy but hecame a fiddle player... the tunes are the same. Also lots of pipe bands across England, some very good ones and of course, the Scots took the pipes across the Empire so many modern armies, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong King, Oz, NZ, Canada, and Scottish settlers took them to the States and Argentina. Bluegrass music is the music of Scotland and Ireland as the Appalachians were settled by the Celts and they took their music with them. So many Bluegrass tunes I recognize from Scots, Irish and English Northumbrian and Cumbrian fiddle. Pipes.. these are the Great Pipes. The other varieties are easier for indoor ears: the Border Pipes are a much quiter instrument and the bag is inflated with belows pumped from the other arm. The Northumbrian pipes are a similar and more common design and very popular in Northumberland which is the English county which borders Scotland

If you love watching this then you must try and go to an Edinburgh Tattoo..... The atmosphere is just amazing. Makes me proud to be a Scottish woman, x.

Best way to describe it.....I can't!. Been 3 time's in the 80's and if the hair's on your neck don't stand up, you ain't human. 🇬🇧

We are very proud of our Military Bands, both Pipes & Drums and the other Military Musician Bands, They work very hard.

The sound of those pipes....truly wonderful in the open-air after dark....unforgettable and I defy anyone not to sway and tap your feet, even in an armchair!!

And dont forget these men are also highly trained soldiers as well, best in the world.

I remember going to the Tattoo with my mother and aunt. I think I would've been about 10 or so at the time. I did enjoy it but I think at that age you are too young to fully enjoy the spectacle. My daughter got tickets for the Tattoo for my 60th birthday as a surprise and it was absolutely wonderful.

The Scottish festival you went to would’ve been called The Highland Gathering or the Highland Games. The large log you saw being thrown is called The Caber Toss.

Me and family go every year! It lasts a few hours. All kinds of stuff from people all over the British Commonwealth and the world. Reenactments, music, dancing etc. The massed pipes and drums is the finale followed by National Anthem.

My grandparents started taking me to the tattoo as a bairn in the 60's. In later life I joined the Edinburgh police. The castle was part of my beat, so I got to go to almost all performances, on and off duty. I don't go as often now but when I do the magic is still there. Trust me, no recording, no matter how good can match hearing the pipes and drums live. BTW, not all the bands are Scottish, almost every country boasts at least one pipe band and are invited to participate. As for the three flags. The top is the Scottish Saltire. Bottom left is the Lion Rampant (Scottish Regiment colours) and bottom right is the City of Edinburgh crest.

Attended the Edinburgh Tattoo years ago - spine tingling event. Ex- British squaddie (English variety) but I can say this with no contradiction there is nothing, absolutely nothing quite like marching along with a good and loud pipe band. Bagpipes pretty much died out throughout England a long time ago. Very happy to have the Micks, Jocks, Ghurkas, Canucks and Indians hold on to the tradition.

I haven't been for a few years, went with my brother and his wife.Great night and were lucky enough to have dry weather! Always get a bit emotional when they play the Black Bear, my dad who has passed away went into battle often to the sound of a piper playing it!

I am from Edinburgh so have been to the Tattoo a few times growing up. It is on every year in August.

The tickets are on sale at the minute right now for this year's show

I do love the drummers 😢😮❤❤❤❤

I can't speak for Scotland but in Auckland, New Zealand, we had around 9 or 10 pipe bands when I played in the early 1980s, some were filled with people playing just for enjoyment like our band and quite a few others (we would be the smaller bands of around 15-20 members) while others were highly competitive and a couple of others were associated with companies (for example the Innis Tartan Pipes and Drums who are still going strong) and another which was a private band but played for/representing the army on official occasions. You'll find the City of Wellington Pipe Band has played at the tattoo on a regular basis (knew someone who had played with them at the tattoo) and I think there was another NZ band who were there last year. We have a good few of them here in Ireland as well and the Dublin pipe band has been placed in the top three (including first) at the world championships quite a few times over the years.

It's an annual event between August and September so book now for next year. You won't regret it.

I have said it before and I will say it again. The massed pipes are a wall of sound. It’s like being beaten up by bag pipe. They will either make your ears bleed or your brain vibrate. Either way you would rather not be the enemy. Can’t fight with music? You really haven’t heard these nutters.

I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. The masses pipes and drums display you are watching is the only reason I visit the Tattoo. Just go and you will be amazed I love them. Thank you for your appreciation. It makes the hairs on my body stand uo. You have just got to go. X

That year they had bands grom all over the old 'Empire' and beyond. Certainly an Irish band, an Indian band and a West Indian one. I think theres also Americans and Canadians in there

Been there many years ago,being a true Scot,brings a lump to my throat every time I hear the scurl o'the pipes,

My nephew Kerr was in the pipes and drums here for the Queens jubilee,he was a drummer

I’m from Edinburgh and been lucky enough to attend This fantastic event it runs parallel to the Edinburgh International Festival!! The Edinburgh military Tattoo starts around 4th August finishing around 26th and depending where you want to sit price can range from £90 to almost £700 per person …and to finish the cannon you mentioned is the Mons Meg was made in 1449 was given to King James ll in 1457 it has a barrel diameter of 20 inches cannon weighing 6.6 tons and fired 150kg balls up to 2 miles ..it was taken away to be restored few years ago and is back in castle they have actually fired blanks from it since it’s restoration I hope you do come to my beautiful Edinburgh Capital city of Scotland you will be made very welcome 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

the massive cannon you're referring to, Mons Meg is still at the castle and I doubt she's moving any time soon

If you get the chance go. The pipes & drums sound amazing anywhere, but on the Castle Esplanade even more so My home town. I love the Tattoo & the pipes n drums 🥰

Excellent video! thoroughly enjoyed watching that with you lol!

If your Scottish there’s not a feeling like it

Oh dude, the 'log' they were tossing at the event you went to is called a Caber! The caber toss is a traditional Scottish athletic event in which competitors toss a large tapered pole called a "caber". It is normally practised at the Scottish Highland Games. In Scotland, the caber is usually made from a larch tree, and it can be between 16-20 feet tall and weigh 90-150 pounds. So not really a log 😱🤣

The bagpipes in battle used to scare the opponents.

The skirl of the pipes used to tell the enemy "Yer in fo' a right kickin!"

i think its on for 3hrs and its an annual event edinburgh tattoo

I first went as a 12 year old. We bought tickets on the night and sat on wooden benches. Now you need to book months in advance and are crammed in on plastic seats. Going as an adult, they sing happy birthday to anyone having a birthday that day. As an August birthday, it was thrilling to have 9000 (that's what they said) people singing to me. It is not just bagpipes. There are people from all over the world performing. Notable ones for me were The Top Secret Drum Corps and the Americans swinging rifles with flashing bayonets and doing complicated marching routines. It is expensive, but worth it. I took my husband for his first visit on the 50th anniversary and he was absolutely thrilled.

the queen Mary was built in my hometown Clydebank the queen Mary queen Elizabeth and the Qe2 as well as the royal yacht Britannia were all built at john browns shipyard in Clydebank just outside of Glasgow and one of my friends sons is a champion bagpiper

My grandfather told me in the 1st WE they use to get the bagpipes going if it was a fight morning as it drove the Germans mad because they couldn't tell where they,were.

As a child in the early 70s, I went to the Royal Tattoo my father was on guard duty at the castle at the time.

My family goes every year unless we are unlucky getting tickets! You have to be fast as they sell out quickly! It lasts a few hours and it's not just bagpipes! Tickets go on sale early in the year and you can buy online.

Mons Meg is the massive cannon its still there. They did change the type of cannon they used for the 1 o'clock gun in 2001 tho.

I was just there on sat the 5th august , you can book at the Edinburgh tattoo page

My uncle still plays the pipes and he's in his mid 80s