Edinburgh Military Tattoo

A whirling and colorful kaleidoscope of music, dance and display set against the world famous backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been an international favorite for over 60 years!

Against the spectacular backdrop of Scotland's top tourist attraction, performers from four continents, including participants from as far afield as South Africa and South America, together with the finest modern production technology, are set to provide an abundance of matchless entertainment at next year's Tattoo (5-27 August) on the floodlit esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.

The show is always fresh, exciting and alive. Performers from over 40 countries have presented here, delivering a new and unique show every time. Types of performances range from exciting, with daredevil motorcycles at top speed and the breathtaking re-enactment of battles, to exotic, with Turkish music or Chinese dancers; or simply the best of Scottish, with Scottish Highland dancers wheeling and swirling to a fiddle orchestra. This years action packed program features exciting performances from the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Highland Dancing, the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the stirring music of the world-famous Massed Pipes and Drums. An international flavor will be added by, amongst others, a Dutch Mounted Bicycle Band and South Africa’s Navy Band.

You are not going to want to miss this once in a lifetime experience. With the show generally selling out early, Celtic Tours is pleased to announce the extended availability of our Edinburgh Military Tattoo packages. With three vacation packages to choose from, we offer plenty of opportunity to explore Scotland and its famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Best of Britain Tour

Your Best of Britain Tour Includes:

* 9 Nights Accommodations
* Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
* Car Rental: Group C Standard Shift Car*


ITINERARY


Day 1 Arrival at own discretion in London. Collect your hire car and make the short trip to Cambridge. There should be some time to this charming University town with its ancient colleges, stunning architecture and medieval streets. Overnight in the Cambridge area.

Day 2 You might want to spend some more time in the morning discovering Cambridge. Late morning though it is time to depart and head for the north of England. On your way to the North of England we suggest a stop in the Peak District. The Peak District's natural beauty and sheep-grazed crags contrast with the factories of nearby valley towns. Visit Chatsworth House and Gardens, one of Britain's most impressive stately homes. The house has beautiful gardens, landsaped in the 1760s by Capability Brown and developed by the head gardener, Joseph Paxton , in the mid-19th century. Overnight in York/Harrogate area

Day 3 In the morning we will have time to explore York, the quaint town in the North of England. The city of York has retained so much of its medieval structure that walking into its centre is like entering a living museum. Walking through the town you will see the famous York Minster, the largest Gothic church north of the Alps. After exploring York your journey will take you to Edinburgh via Jedburgh and Melrose. Stop at picturesque Jedburgh Abbey to learn about the Augustinian monks who once lived here and Melrose Abbey, once one of the richest abbeys in Scotland. It is here that Robert the Bruce's heart is said to be buried. Overnight in Edinburgh, where you will be staying for 2 nights.

Day 4 Spend the morning discovering Edinburgh with all its nooks and crannies. Scotland's capital city is really made up of 2 smaller “towns”. Edinburgh's medieval origins were in the narrow cobbled streets around the Royal Mile - a long road linking the 2 ancient royal residences. The city has been the home of great politicians, religious leaders and inventors throughout the centuries. Nearby are the university and the new Scottish Parliament while the city skyline is dominated by the imposing Edinburgh Castle. Later, in contrast, admire the elegant tree-lined crescents of the 18th century “New Town” - built by Robert Adam in the classical style of that era and representing the largest area of conserved Georgian architecture in Europe. Overnight in Edinburgh again.....Learn More about the Best of Britain Tour
*Upgrades to automatic and larger cars available for a supplement.

Scotland's Tales and Mysteries

Scotland's Tales and Mysteries Tour

Scotland is renowned for its ghostly sightings and for its history - steeped unexplained happenings. Here there is a wealth of wonderfully mysterious castles for you to explore. This tour starts in Edinburgh where you can learn of the wizard, Major Weir; travel on to Glamis Castle reputed to be the most haunted castle in Scotland; and visit the famed Loch Ness.

Your Scotland's Tales and Mysteries Tour Includes:

* 9 Nights Accommodations
* Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
* Ferry one way from Armadale to Mallaig for car and 2 passengers
* Scotland's Tales and Mysteries Tour road book with full itinerary and additional Scotland/sightseeing information
* Car Rental: Group C Standard Shift Car*
* Carbon offsetting contribution donated to the National Trust for Scotland

Learn More about this great Tour of Scotland

*Upgrades to automatic and larger cars available for a supplement.

Celtic Tours has many tours of Scotland and England to choose from. Click Here to browse Celtic Tours Scotland and England offerings.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle holds a dominating position, atop the volcanic Castle Rock, overlooking the capital city of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle has commanded its surroundings with majesty for centuries. Today the castle continues to welcome visitors to its rocky perch.

Evidence shows inhabitation at Castle Rock dating back to 900 BC, when it was called Din Eidyn, ‘the stronghold of Eidyn’. Ever since the invasion of Angles around 638 AD, the rock has been known by its English name – Edinburgh.

In the Middle Ages, Edinburgh Castle became Scotland’s chief royal castle. As one of the most important fortresses in the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle has been involved in many historical conflicts, from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century up to the Jacobite Rising of 1745, and has been besieged, both successfully and unsuccessfully, on several occasions.

The oldest standing building on the premises is the tiny and charming chapel, built by King David I in the 12th century, in memory of his mother, St Margaret.

Edinburgh Castle is known well for being the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots son James VI, in 1566. The Castle continued to be a royal residence until the Union of the Crowns in 1603 when James VI, King of Scots, also became King James I of England.

In 1996 the Stone of Destiny, Scotland’s coronation stone, was placed in the Crown Room alongside the nation’s Crown Jewels. In 1995 the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were inscribed as a World Heritage Site, and the castle remains its most important building. Edinburgh Castle is also the backdrop for the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

All visitors to the castle can join the popular guided tour free of charge. Filled with intriguing tales and castle secrets for all. Visitors to this glorious castle will marvel at Scotland’s glittering crown jewels, tour the Royal Palace, The Great Hall and St. Margaret’s Chapel. Visitors will also get to view Mons Meg, one of the world’s oldest cannons, which was fired to celebrate the marriage of Mary Queen of Scots.

Edinburgh Castle is considered one of the top visitor’s attractions in Scotland, and is a featured stop on Celtic Tour’s Scottish Dream Tour of Scotland. Learn More about this amazing Scotland Vacation.