Application Form 2026

Dance Director – Aileen Robertson

Applications are now being accepted for dancers to join The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers. The chosen team for 2026 will perform in front of live audiences on Edinburgh Castle’s Esplanade at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2026.

A Call to Gather will run 7-29 August 2026. A Show rooted in Scottish identity, where the gathering of clans becomes a gathering of nations, allies, friends, and kindred spirits.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is seeking talented volunteer dancers from any organisation affiliated to the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.

Since its inception in 1950, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has raised over £13m for charitable causes, including funds to bolster traditional Scottish music and dance across Scotland. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, we are delighted to welcome applications from both new and returning volunteers to help us celebrate this momentous event and help us achieve these charitable ambitions.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will take place from 7 – 29 August 2026. Successful applicants are expected to arrive in Edinburgh on Thursday 30 July 2026 for rehearsals commencing on Friday 31 July 2026.

Who Should Apply

The 2026 Tattoo Dancers will comprise of dancers from any country affiliated to the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.

Applicants must be 18 years or over as at 30 July 2026 and must be of Premier standard.

What Will Be Required

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a unique event, and an icon in the British events calendar, performing 25 shows across August. Therefore, most importantly, we are looking for individuals who have a positive attitude and are willing to commit to the full period required.

Dancers are expected to maintain a level of fitness to enable them to perform to a high standard. Should you be selected, your Dance Teacher will be contacted to confirm your regular attendance at classes.

All dancers should note that this is an unpaid voluntary arrangement. All dancers are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel costs both to and from Edinburgh. Accommodation and meals will be provided for all dancers for the duration of the Tattoo and including rehearsals. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will also reimburse any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that dancers may incur whilst in the course of volunteering with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The dancers are under the direction of Aileen Robertson, Dance Director for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers.

Any dancers performing in the Tattoo will be unable to compete at an event where the Dance Director, Aileen Robertson, is an Adjudicator for 3 months following the last performance on 29 August 2026. The same rule will apply to any dancer(s) who are RSOBHD Adjudicators who may be performing as part of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers.

All applications should be submitted no later than Friday 2 January 2026. If you have any questions at all – relating to your application, the expected performance standard, and / or commitment etc. - please contact Aileen on the above email address to discuss.

Auditions will be held at the Marguerite Reid Memorial Workshop in Delco, Pennsylvania on Friday 6 February 2026. Any dancer wishing to audition in person at this event should indicate their attendance at the Workshop on the application form. Audition times will be allocated after the application closing date.

All other dancer auditions will be completed online in 2026. Audition requirements, including confirmation of submission dates, will be communicated after the application closing date.

We look forward to welcoming your applications!