MAGIC OF THE TATTOO

​Meet Aileen Robertson, former world champion dancer, now dance director of the
world-renowned annual celebration of music, dance, and military precision, The
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
​
Aileen took some time out from her hectic schedule at home and abroad to have a
chat to Scotdance NZ writer, Mary-Jo Tohill.

Pictured, Aileen and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers, holding the
ceremonial broad sword, the Pooley Sword that she was presented with at the
Edinburgh Castle Esplanade in 2024.

Each August, a group is chosen that has contributed the most during the show run.
This could be in the performance itself, or in extra-curricular activities outside of the
Show.
​
Photos courtesy of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Aileen, whose dance school is based in Ayr, southwest Scotland, began dancing as
a 7-year-old in all forms of dance. Her competitive career saw her scoop up every
major Highland Dancing championship title in Scotland, including three world titles at
Cowal between 1972-76. She went on to become adjudicator on the Royal Scottish
Official Board of Highland Dancing Worldwide Panel, and fellow and examiner of the
Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance and holds a Life Member of the British Association
of Teachers of Dancing. The big focus of her dancing career is now choreography.

Pictured, Aileen in her competitive heyday.

The same smile that dazzled the judges has been inspiring tattoo dancers around
the world since 2014 when she took over the dance director role of The Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The same smile that dazzled the judges has been inspiring tattoo dancers around
the world since 2014 when she took over the dance director role of The Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

“I always had a passion and love of choreography,” Aileen says.

“When I started teaching, I always choreographed dances in class for concerts etc.
Then a new choreography competition started at the Highlands & Islands & Dance Festival (www.explore-oban.com/whats-on/the-highlands-islands-music-dance-festival/) held in Oban. This was an opportunity to have my dance school compete in something very new for Scotland at that time.

“After many successful years at Oban, I was named the dance school who had won
the most choreographies at the Oban festival.

“One of the competitions was called ‘The Set Piece’. The organisers sent the
teachers a set piece of music and the teacher had to choreograph to the piece.

“It was always interesting watching how many different dances and ideas came out
of this one piece of music. To this day I maintain the experience I had being given a
piece of music to work with has stood me in good stead for what I do now.

“When the role of dance director became vacant, I had already started doing a few
tattoos and loved it. So, I just had to apply and the rest is history.”

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo began in 1950 as a small military performance
and has grown into a globally renowned cultural and military spectacle held annually 
in August on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.

Aileen has not performed in the tattoo herself but actively encourages top dancers to
take part.

“No, I never did. It always clashed with our World Championships at Cowal and still
does. I was working towards winning a world title for a number of years, so it was
never an option for me to perform in the tattoo.
​
“This is something I now encourage. I want the top dancers from the tattoo team to
compete at Cowal. If they train correctly and their fitness is top notch, then there is
no reason not to compete at Cowal.”

The ingredients for the Magic of the Tattoo are a combination of the location, the
people and the music.

“All of the above create the Magic. But one of the things that makes The Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo unique from any other show is the castle. Nowhere in the
world can you create a real castle. The backdrop is stunning and the atmosphere is
electric. Whether you are audience or cast there is no feeling like walking on to the
esplanade in front of the castle.”

Although there is no substitute for the actual Edinburgh Castle, the team still
managed to transport that magic and re-create the tattoo for Auckland and Brisbane.
“I would say there is no difference between these tattoos and a tattoo in Edinburgh. It
feels exactly the same wherever you take the tattoo. The weather could be different.
It was very hot and humid in Brisbane but in fact it rained more in Brisbane during
the shows than it did in Edinburgh during August.
​
“We took ‘The Heroes who made us’ tattoo, which celebrated our 75 th year. This was
the base for taking the tattoo overseas. The most difficult part was spacing the
dances in a different venue. Different entrances and exits etc. The space in both
Brisbane and Auckland was so much bigger.”

​The dance team for the Brisbane and Auckland tattoo was chosen from dancers who
had performed in the 2024 and 2025 Edinburgh tattoos.

“It seemed fair to have dancers go on the overseas trip who had paid their own way
and given up four weeks of their time in Edinburgh. This was almost a perk for doing
the ‘real thing’. So, all 50 dancers had the experience of being part of The Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh to be able to repeat the experience overseas.”

To fill these spaces, whether it be the esplanade in Edinburgh or the big stadiums
around the world, she looks for dancers who are a high standard in Premier.
​
“Good technique and good presentation are essential: Good arms and upper body
control and being able to dance on the spot when needed.”

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers have performed in Melbourne,
Wellington, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Washington, New York, Oslo, Dusseldorf,
Shanghai, Sian, Mumbai, London’s Royal Albert Hall, The Queen’s 90th Birthday
celebrations and The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, both of which were
held at Windsor Castle.

Preparation for the following year’s tattoo pretty much begins before the current
tattoo takes to the esplanade.

“The creative team will be working almost as soon as possible after August. Our
Creative Director Alan Lane will know before August what his theme and title will be
for the following year.

“The music is decided by a few people on the creative team. My inspiration for the
choreography comes from the music.

“The dancers all arrive on the same day. First thing is to get them settled in and get
to know each other. Then costumes are fitted. These are provided. All costumes for

the tattoo, team gear, jackets etc are provided free of charge. Dance shoes are
sponsored by Thistle Shoes, and several pairs are given to each dancer with their
costumes.

“All accommodation and food are covered by the tattoo. The dancers, who are
volunteers, only need to pay their travel expenses to Edinburgh.”

Rehearsals start the next morning in the gymnasium at the Redford Barracks.
“When I started, steps and dances were sent out in advance but after a few years I
taught from scratch during rehearsals. Dancers told me that they preferred getting it
from me first hand and not from a video. They learned it faster during rehearsals
than arriving semi prepared. So, now I teach them direct during rehearsals.

“There will be six full days of rehearsals before we open. This is a big week, but the
adrenaline is flowing. There will be 26 shows starting at 9.30pm each night and finish
at 11pm. There are two shows on a Saturday and a welcomed day off on a Sunday.
​
“Once the shows are up and running the dancers have lots of free time in the day to
sightsee, meet family and friends or just relax. I do encourage competing on a
Sunday if the dancers wish to do that. There are lots of competitions and Highland
Games to compete at on a Sunday. It is always good for the overseas dancers to
experience the Highland Games in Scotland.”

No matter how many times you do it, whether at home in Scotland or overseas it is
always a major mission bringing it all together.

“It is challenging and of course nerve wracking waiting to watch on the first night with
an audience. At the same time, it is exciting. Every night I expect my team to perform
like it is the first time they have stepped on to the esplanade. I remind them there is a
new audience each night eager to watch a first-class performance and they strive to
deliver that performance at every single show.
​
“I am looking forward to ‘A CALL TO GATHER’ and another year of Magic of the
Tattoo.”

Pictured, Aileen and Scotdance NZ president Mark Forshaw at the Auckland Tattoo.

Interested in joining The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers for the 2027
tattoo? Enquiries to: [email protected].
​
Application forms will be available from November on the Scotdance NZ website.