PipesandDrums@edintattoo.co.uk

Application Form 2026

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 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 2026 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 £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 must arrive in Edinburgh no later than Thursday 30 July 2026 for rehearsals prior to performances commencing.

Who Should Apply

Applicants must be 18 years or over as of 30 July 2026 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

AGREEMENT DATES:

Thursday 30 July 2026 - All performers arrive in Edinburgh.

31 Jul-6 Aug 2026 - Rehearsals

7 – 29 August 2026 - Shows

Sunday 30 August 2026 - Depart Edinburgh

Application Stages

All applications and auditions submitted by 23 Jan 2026

Confirmation of successful/unsuccessful applicants by 6 Feb 2026

Successful applicants confirm position/sign 'Agreement' by 20 Feb 2026

Pipers Auditions

REMT26 - Pipers Audition Requirements

REMT26 - Pipers Audition Music

Snare Drum Auditions

REMT26 - Snare Drummer Audition Requirements

REMT26 - Snare Drum Audition Music

REMT26 - Snare Drum Audition sound file Part 1

REMT26 - Snare Drum Audition sound file Part 2

Drum Major Auditions

REMT26 - Drum Major Audition Requirements

REMT26 - Drum Major Audition Music Set 1

REMT26 - Drum Major Audition Music Set 2

Bass Drum Auditions

REMT26 - Bass Drummer Audition Requirements

REMT26 - Bass Drum Audition Music Set 1

REMT26 - Bass Drum Audition Music Set 2

Tenor Drum Auditions

REMT26 - Tenor Drummer Audition Requirements

REMT26 - Tenor Drum Audition Music Set 1

REMT26 - Tenor Drum Audition Music Set 2

OFFICIAL MANAGEMENT TEAM

Tattoo Performer Producer: Katie Logan

Production Logistics Manager: Mick Hay

Pipe Major: Alisdair McLaren

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 30 July 2026.

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 30 July and Sunday 30 August only but cannot be guaranteed. All performers must arrive in Edinburgh on Thursday 30 July 2026 and not before, accommodation will not be available.

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 30 July and Sunday 30 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 30 July and breakfast Sunday 30 August 2026. 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 6 Aug 2026, or for the early show at 1815hrs on Friday 28 August 2026. 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.

Any further questions can be directed to PipesandDrums@edintattoo.co.uk

Details
Location: Edinburgh, EH1 1QB, GB