VIP at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo dress question

[gazbot]

Hello Folks,


I have a very enjoyable weekend ahead. I am travelling from London to Edinburgh on board the Belmond Northern Belle. I intend to wear my daywear rig (lamont modern, green hose, red flashes, ghillies, brown leather daywear sporran, xmarks sgian, lovat tweed jacket and waistcoat, pocket watch and Edinburgh Tattoo ties with Belmond cufflinks. However for the evening I am privileged enough to have an invitation to the Royal Enclosure at the Tattoo. I am a long time visitor but first time in The Royal Enclosure as a guest. I have spoken to The Tattoo and the dress code is evening wear or lounge suit. I will of course tweek the above for evening alternative (dress sporran, fancier sgian, darker hose and flashes and black barreathra jacket waistcoat and fancier watch) however do I go neck tie as in lounge suit equivalent or black tie equivalent. If I go black tie as some trou*er wearers will do do I go the whole hog and wear the fly plaid. I know most do not like it but as the occasion is grand do you think I should?

Thoughts on a postcard.....

[OC Richard]

Wow how cool!

I myself would forgo the fly plaid.

Have a great time!

[slothead]

I loved the tattoo (from just the peons' bleachers)! Great stuff what those Edinburgh Scots do!

[figheadair]

By Royal Enclousure do you mean the Royal Box? I agree with Richard's comment, leave the Fly Plaid at home, it would be quite out of place. Either tie would work. Last time I as there we were in Mess Kit so it was Black Tie.

[Tarheel]

The plaid may be cumbersome in a small space if there are many people. Forgo the fly plaid but add a nosegay. The token of a small flower to the lapel is equal to the grandeur of the plaid over the shoulder (in some settings).

[Taskr]

I agree with the others; whole hog might be overdoing it a bit given lounge suit is noted as acceptable. A black neck tie or bow tie would be sufficiently elegant, IMO. Not overstated with a confident aire is all the well-dressed require.

[The Q]

They've changed the boxes since I last went, it used to be a stack of fibreglass boxes and each would take half a dozen people.
It was deemed standard suit and tie was acceptable. Today I'd go Kilted, Argyll jacket with waistcoat and dress sporran. With a standard tie.

I could have gone in uniform, but my Dad ( who worked at the castle) reckoned it wouldn't have gone down well to be dressed as a Corporal, and then be served soup at half time by a senior army officer!!!

So yes go well dressed but no fly plaid.

Make sure you're ready for it being pretty chilly up there.
And for anyone else in not such an exalted position, the standard stands are very cold especially if there is any wind.

[gazbot]

I think you are right!


Thank you

QUOTE=OC Richard;1324322]Wow how cool!

I myself would forgo the fly plaid.

Have a great time![/QUOTE]

[gazbot]

Pretty much decided thanks to you kind folks. No plaid just got to pick bow tie or tattoo "club' Beck tie.

Yes theQ I have expérienced the tattoo chill in Many an occasion just never bare knees!

Figheadair the stands and boxes are new, I agree on the level of formality you suggest
Tarheel the boxes now hold about Half à douzen so not cramped but agree the plaid is
Probably over doing it.

As ever rabblers you have been invaluable.