T h e Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo! This is one of the most recognized events in Scotland . The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place over the period 3-25 August. Each year the Military Tattoo receives artists from more than 48 countries, and around 30% of the 220,000 people who attend are foreigners. Why "Tattoo"? A Tattoo is a military musical performance or a general exhibition of armed forces. The term comes from the seventeenth century, from the Dutch phrase "Doe den tap toe" (closes the taps), whose alteration resulted in "tap-too" and " taptoo ". These shows became common over the years, and the first official performance was in 1949. In 2010 he acquired real status after being recognized by His Majesty the Queen in the framework of its six decades of existence.