Honouring World War Military Heroes

As a registered charity, we’re proud to continue our longstanding commitment to supporting the armed forces and preserving Scottish heritage through charitable giving. In 2024, we pledged a total of £750,000 to military and arts charities, including £3,000 to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) in support of their ‘Eyes On, Hands On’ initiative, and £5,000 to the Scottish National War Memorial. These contributions reflect our dedication to honouring service and sacrifice, resonating deeply with this year’s theme The Heroes Who Made Us. 

Supporting ‘Eyes On, Hands On’ 

Our donation to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will directly support its flagship volunteer initiative, ‘Eyes On, Hands On’ (EOHO). With more than 307 dedicated volunteers in Scotland alone, EOHO empowers local people to care for over 17,000 war graves at more than 1,300 scattered locations—ranging from large sites like Glasgow’s Western Necropolis to lone headstones on remote island chapel grounds. 

From cleaning headstones with soft brushes and water to reporting on their condition, volunteers conduct twice-yearly visits, helping to ensure the graves remain dignified, legible and accessible to the public. It’s meticulous, heartfelt work—done with pride, humility, and a deep sense of duty. 

One Scottish volunteer, Vincent, who served in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and later as a police officer, is occasionally joined by his daughter at gravesites. “I get so much enjoyment volunteering for the Commonwealth War Graves and meeting members of the public to highlight the work that is done to care for the graves and the stories behind some of them,” he said. “It’s about remembering those that served and made the ultimate sacrifice.” 

We’re delighted that our contribution is being applied to a programme with such a positive ripple effect. A recent survey undertaken by CWGC reported that 49% of volunteers felt a benefit to their physical and mental wellbeing, and 42% stated that the experience has helped reduce isolation.  

Continuing Our Support Of The Scottish National War Memorial 

Although we have proudly contributed the Scottish National War Memorial for a number of years, our increased donation of £5,000 this year underlines our ongoing support of this iconic institution and an extra boost in recognition of the important anniversaries in 2025. These funds will go towards the maintenance of the rolls of honour and supplement administration costs for families wishing to access the records. Located within the historic walls of Edinburgh Castle, the Memorial stands as a powerful tribute to the lives lost in conflict.  

As we look to this summer’s performances on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, we celebrate not only the stories being told under the spotlight, but the quiet, essential work taking place in graveyards, chapels and memorial halls across the country.  

We’re grateful to each and every ticket buyer, whose support of our event enables us to continue our funding of important organisations like the Scottish National War Memorial and Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  

Tickets for the 2025 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Show, The Heroes Who Made Us are on sale now. They can be purchased online or by phoning +44 (0) 131 225 1188.