In 2003 we were able to see the regular marching bands, various foreign and exotic bands, a unit of motorbike stunt riders, highland dancers, and an American unit throwing bayonnets at each other. I should admit, I didn't see all of the Americans, I had to keep shutting my eyes.

My personal favourite was the swiss drumers who never missed a bit while creating amazing patterns, drumming on each others drums and throwing their drumsticks at each other. Hmmm, this is hard to describe, but it was extremely impressive.

If you want to get good seats you will need to book well in advance, but you can do so over the web here. I booked in January (the tattoo is in August) and got moderate seats. A lot of the formations are much better seen from the main stand, which is why the ticket prices are so much higher. But I reckon that the experience will still be amazing if you buy a £5 ticket.

The Tattoo features military bands from around the world. The sight of seeing these massed bands of dozens of people playing and marching in sync against the backdrop of the Edinburgh Castle is amazing. Besides the military bands, there was also highland dancing, a stunt motorcycle demonstration, the US Army drill team, and more, all capped of by a performance by "The Lone Piper" and fireworks.

It's definitely not to be missed, but get your tickets early. This year's Tattoo was completely sold out for its three week run. I ordered our tickets in December when they first went on sale.

What I thought would be the highlight of our trip to Edinburgh turned out not to be. It's a good thing this wasn't the only reason to be here. Once you're inside and the show begins, you're not permitted to leave because there are guards stationed at every exit who will stop you from leaving till the end of the performance. Good that I didn't need to use the toilet during the performance. Bring a rain jacket with you, as it did rain when the evening rolled on. Go watch it on television if you really like the Tattoo.

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The Castle is the backdrop for hundreds of Scot regimental guards in full kilt dress playing music on bagpipe, fife and drum. You will get plenty of goosebumps as they march across the drawbridge in formation and in full song. This year, the Australian and Cook Island regiments joined the regular Scot Guards. Each has their own battle flags as well as their own dress colors while they all played their music like men possessed.

There were also perfromances by the Russian Cossack dancers with swords spitting flames from the friction and speed of the dance and Cook Island dancers in grass skirts and coconut bras. (I wanted to run down and put coats on those poor girls!) The Traditional Scottish Sword dance was perfromed by a highland dance school from Edinburgh. I've heard that the guest artists change during the month and end up representing most of the world!

Then there was a short demonstration of Scot Fighters from ancient times to the present with canon and musket fire smoking things up to keep the boys in the crowd excited.

It all ends with the castle lights turning to red with torches lighting the top ramparts. In the center stands a lone piper who represents all the fallen soldiers who have defended their country. As the pipes echo down the hill, those listening often shed a tear or two.

We went to the late show on the Queen Mums Birthday, so we had the extra treat of a fireworks show that was a spectacular burst of colors above the castle. The last perfromance of the season also has a fireworks show.

I ordered my tickets online in February and had 3rd and 4th row tickets: www.edinburgh-tatoo.co.uk
Prices range from $9-23.50 without handling charges.