PipesandDrums@edintattoo.co.uk

Application Form 2025

Please only apply if you match the below criteria.

Applications are now being accepted for performers to join the Tattoo Pipes and Drums to perform in front of a live audience on Edinburgh Castle’s Esplanade at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2025.

We’re excited to bring you Tattoo nostalgia with a modern twist. The Heroes Who Made Us will run 1 – 23 August 2025 and celebrate the heroes of the Tattoo and our greatest hits from the last seven decades as we celebrate 75 years of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The 2025 Tattoo Pipes and Drums will comprise of 75 pipers and drummers from across the world, forming 3 files within a single Massed Pipes & Drums of over 250 musicians.

Since its inception in 1950, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has raised over £12.5m for charitable causes, including funds to bolster traditional Scottish music and dance across Scotland. As we look ahead to the 2025 season, we are delighted to welcome applications from both new and returning volunteers to help us celebrate this momentous event and achieve this ambition.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will take place from 1-23 August 2025. Successful applicants must arrive in Edinburgh no later than Thursday 24 July 2025 for rehearsals prior to performances commencing.

Who Should Apply

Applicants must be 18 years or over as of 24 July 2025 and must be of at least RSPBA Grade 3 Standard (ideally Grade 2) with the ability to read, play and memorise written music quickly and accurately. Show music will be sent out in advance and must be learned prior to arrival in Edinburgh.

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.

Pipers must be able to set up, tune and produce a solid sound on a well-maintained instrument. Drummers will be provided with drums and will be expected to look after and maintain the instrument.

We are looking for individuals with excellent dress, deportment, marching in time, personal administration, punctuality and reliability in order to fulfill the requirements of the performance standard and the demands of the period of extensive rehearsals (often 12-hour days across the first week), invites to ad hoc events during the day and maintaining excellent standards throughout the 25-show run (evenings of around 6 hours).

Pipers and drummers may take part in other activities and work during the Tattoo, but priority must be given to the Tattoo by arriving on time for both rehearsals and performances. Therefore, participants must be prepared to give up other obligations, including external Pipe Band and/or Solo Competitions, if necessary, to be available/flexible to attend extra rehearsals or performances during the period.

All members will be responsible for all travel costs both to and from Edinburgh. For those who are coming from further afield, accommodation and meals will be provided for the duration of the Tattoo including rehearsals. If accommodation is not required, then travel expenses incurred as part of your participation may also be claimed. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums members will be under the direction of Tattoo Pipes and Drums Pipe Major, Alisdair McLaren

Application Stages

All applications and auditions returned by 24 Jan 2025

Confirmation of successful/unsuccessful applicants by 7 Feb 2025

Successful applicants confirm position/sign 'Agreement' by 21 Feb 2025

Pipers Auditions

REMT25 - Pipers Audition Requirements

REMT25 - Pipers Audition Music

Snare Drum Auditions

REMT25 - Snare Drummer Audition Requirements

REMT25 - Snare Drum Audition Music

Drum Major Auditions

REMT25 - Drum Major Audition Requirements

REMT25 - Drum Major Audition Music Set 1

REMT25 - Drum Major Audition Music Set 2

Bass Drum Auditions

REMT25 - Bass Drummer Audition Requirements

Bass Drum Audition Set 1.mp3

Bass Drum Audition Set 2.mp3

Tenor Drum Auditions

REMT25 - Tenor Drummer Audition Requirements

REMT25 - Tenor Drum Audition Music Set 1

REMT25 - Tenor Drum Audition Music Set 2

OFFICIAL MANAGEMENT TEAM

Performance Director: Stevie Small MBE

Production Logistics Manager: Mick Hay

Pipe Major: Alisdair McLaren

AGREEMENT DATES:

Thursday 24 July 2025 All performers arrive in Edinburgh.

25 – 31 July 2025 Rehearsals

1 – 23 August 2025 Shows

Sunday 24 August 2025 Depart Edinburgh

Performers are committed to all rehearsals and shows, plus any other performance commitments requested by the Performance Director and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

A. CONDUCT

All performers must abide by the rules and regulations set by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Pipe Major or anyone appointed by the Management Team.

Courtesy is expected from all performers to other team members, Tattoo cast and Tattoo staff. Disorderly behaviour will not be tolerated.

All performers must be available to attend all rehearsals for the Tattoo. These may be called at short notice once they commence following arrival on 24 July 2025.

The Tattoo is under military supervision and conditions, and indiscipline of any kind by performers will result in their exclusion from the group. If excluded from the group, accommodation will be required to be vacated, ID pass handed in and all uniform and equipment returned within 24hrs.

Performers invited to participate in this prestigious world-renowned event represent not only themselves and the pipe band community, but also their Pipe Band and individual country.

B. TRAVEL

All performers are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to and from Edinburgh. Transfers to and from the airport (Edinburgh or Glasgow only) may be considered for overseas personnel on Thursday 24 July and Sunday 24 August only but cannot be guaranteed. All performers must arrive in Edinburgh on Thursday 24 July 2025.

C. EXPENSES

As noted above, performers are responsible for arranging and paying for their travel to and from Edinburgh. Transfers to and from Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport will be considered for performers on Thursday 24 July and Sunday 24 August only. While every effort will be made to arrange airport transfers for performers, circumstances may require performers to make their own way to the accommodation.

All overseas performers are responsible for obtaining travel insurance once flights are booked.

Accommodation will be provided for performers at Pollock Halls, Edinburgh University Complex.

Accommodation for all performers will only be provided between Thursday 24 July and Sunday 24 August 2025. Performers arriving or departing outside of these dates will be required to book and pay for their own accommodation and transfers to and from the airport.

All meals will be provided for all performers for the duration of the Tattoo.

D. TATTOO TICKETS

All performers will be allocated two free tickets, either for the preview show on Thursday 31 Jul 2025, or for the early show at 1815hrs on Friday 22 August 2025. All other tickets should be purchased via the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo website or box office.

Any surplus tickets for the preview show will be returned to the box office and sold to the public, and therefore we will ask you closer to the time to advise if you require your tickets.

E. POLICY STATEMENT ON RECRUITING APPLICANTS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS

We recognise the contribution that ex-offenders can make as employees and volunteers and welcome applications from them. A person’s criminal record will not, in itself, debar that person from being appointed to this post. Suitable applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying.

All cases will be examined on an individual basis and will take the following into consideration:

• Whether the conviction is relevant to the position applied for.

• The seriousness of any offence revealed.

• The age of the applicant at the time of the offence(s).

• The length of time since the offence(s) occurred.

• Whether the applicant has a pattern of offending behaviour.

• The circumstances surrounding the offence(s) and the explanation(s) offered by the person concerned.

• Whether the applicant's circumstances have changed since the offending behaviour.

It is important that applicants understand that failure to disclose all unspent convictions could result in disciplinary proceedings or dismissal. Further advice and guidance on disclosing a criminal record can be obtained from NACRO.