Unquestionably the most successful show in the entire history of the Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo defies adequate description. Drawing a daily crowd of 8,500 - who brave all weathers on the outdoor grandstand seating - this extravaganza of music, showmanship and military precision is played out nightly against the incomparable backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

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The show is - whisper it quietly - pretty much the same every year, but then, why change a winning formula? Sad to say, though, the Tattoo has an arm's-length relationship with the rest of the Festival crowd: a significant portion of the audience is bussed in for the night, and leaves the city as soon as the lone piper has played. And with tickets selling out a good six months in advance, there's little chance of a spontaneous visit to this best-known of Edinburgh shows.

That aside, the Tattoo is a genuine spectacle, and an unmissable experience for those organised or wealthy enough to secure a ticket. If you're an independent traveller and want to be sure of a place, start planning in November of the previous year.