INFO:

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo by @Nora around the world is one of the most famous military tattoos in the world. It runs throughout August as part of the annual Edinburgh Festival and attracts a combined live audience of around 220,000. Set on the esplanade, against the backdrop of the 12th century Edinburgh Castle, the 3-week event showcases and celebrates the skills and talents of military bands and display teams from the British Armed Forces, the Commonwealth and military teams from throughout the world. Edinburgh Castle is situated on Castle Rock which has served as a military base and royal residence for centuries. The edifice that is known as Edinburgh Castle was built during the 12th century by King David I, son of Saint Margaret of Scotland. The tensions between the English and Scottish nearly always centred on Edinburgh Castle. The first major battle was during the late 13th century when Edward I of England attempted to seize the vacant Scottish throne. From 1296 to 1341, the castle bounced from English to Scottish hands several times during the Wars of Scottish Independence. After this, most of the castle’s reconstruction was overseen by King David II. Much of this was undone, following the “Lang Siege.” The year long battle was triggered when Mary, Queen of Scots married James Hepburn, and a surge of rebellion against the union rose up amongst the noblemen of Scotland. Mary was forced to flee to England but loyal supporters held the castle for a further year. Following the ‘Union of the Crowns’ on King James VI and I accession, the Scottish court departed from Edinburgh to London. The final monarch to reside at the castle was King Charles I in 1633. In 1715 the Jacobites came dramatically close to claiming the castle in the same style that Robert the Bruce’s men did over 400 years before by scaling the north facing cliffs. The 1745 rebellion saw the capture of Holyrood Palace but the castle remained unbroken. Today Edinburgh Castle serves as a military station, is home to the Scottish National War Memorial, the Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.