One of the many events that Edinburgh is famous for is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo - has been running for over half a century and now sees reaches worldwide viewing figures of over 100 million! The tattoo is actually a charitable event and has seen millions raised for military and civilian organisations over the years. The word 'tattoo' actually originates from the closing time cry of Scottish inns during the 17th century - it is derived from the phrase 'Doe den tap toe' (turn off the taps). The Tattoo is just one of the highlights of the annual Edinburgh International Festival.

Each year the Edinburgh International Festival stages one of the greatest celebrations of the arts, attracting audiences from around the world to the city's thrilling atmosphere. The festivities offer a unique opportunity to experience the excitement of live performance by internationally renowned artists as well as the joy of discovering new and unfamiliar works.

Fringe festival

The Fringe Festival tends to be more off beat than the main festival and is made up of all manner of professional and amateur performers. As a result it tends to appeal to a younger audience. The Fringe side of the Edinburgh Festival is now regarded by the stage industry as so cutting edge and innovative that it is viewed by many as a showcase for new talent. The Film Festival also dates back to 1947 and so is the oldest such festival in the world. It is now an established part of the film industry's calendar and features both mainstream and independent films.