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The Tattoo Fox #1
The Tattoo Fox
The Tattoo Fox is the story of a young fox who makes her home at Edinburgh Castle. Intrigued by everything she hears about the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, she endeavours to find out more. Her quest takes her to some of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks as she befriends the local animals and sees the local sights. But nothing can prepare her for the fantastic spectacle of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, performed annually by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and International military bands and display teams on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.
123 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 3, 2020
A little vixen, living in the Scottish city of Edinburgh, follows a friendly soldier back to Edinburgh Castle and finds a new place to call home in this brief but engaging story celebrating the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Befriended by the castle cat, the vixen commits a number of good deeds, from helping to find a lost American child to foiling a mugging on Christmas Eve. She also saves her feline friend from the fireworks sparks on Hogmanay (New Year's Eve). When the vixen is captured and released on Arthur's Seat (an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, in central Edinburgh), she is befriended by a dog fox, who follows her back to Edinburgh Castle, and with whom she starts a family. The story concludes in August, during the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a three-week-long series of musical and military performances, in which she eventually joins...
According to the preface, The Tattoo Fox was based upon an actual 2011 encounter between a vixen and Brigadier David Allfrey, the chief executive and producer of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. He asked the author, Alasdair Hutton, who is a writer and narrator for the Tattoo, to produce a story about a vixen that exemplifies the "military values of courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment." This then, is the result, and it is an intentionally didactic story. It is also an engaging one, depicting the current reality that foxes too have become part of the urban landscape, even if they are rarely seen by people. I thought the story here was entertaining, and appreciated the glimpse it gave, not just of vulpine life in a city, but of the customs and traditions of Edinburgh, from the legend that people can hear what animals say on Christmas Eve night, to the celebration of Hogmanay. I would love to travel to Edinburgh one day, and if I am ever there in August, I will certainly try to see some of the Tattoo. Recommended to middle-grade readers who enjoy fox stories, and to anyone searching for children's fiction set in Edinburgh.
According to the preface, The Tattoo Fox was based upon an actual 2011 encounter between a vixen and Brigadier David Allfrey, the chief executive and producer of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. He asked the author, Alasdair Hutton, who is a writer and narrator for the Tattoo, to produce a story about a vixen that exemplifies the "military values of courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment." This then, is the result, and it is an intentionally didactic story. It is also an engaging one, depicting the current reality that foxes too have become part of the urban landscape, even if they are rarely seen by people. I thought the story here was entertaining, and appreciated the glimpse it gave, not just of vulpine life in a city, but of the customs and traditions of Edinburgh, from the legend that people can hear what animals say on Christmas Eve night, to the celebration of Hogmanay. I would love to travel to Edinburgh one day, and if I am ever there in August, I will certainly try to see some of the Tattoo. Recommended to middle-grade readers who enjoy fox stories, and to anyone searching for children's fiction set in Edinburgh.
January 18, 2026
The first chapter book I’ve read to my daughter, a chapter a night for 12 nights 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
August 14, 2013
I'm not this book's intended audience - it's a children's book, but as a primary school teacher, I read a lot of children's books and this one wasn't top notch stuff.
It is a lovely idea and would be a great book for a child to read leading up to a holiday in Edinburgh, especially if they will be visiting castle or the tattoo.
I chose to read the book because I am currently up in Edinburgh keeping my boyfriend company while he performs with his army band at the tattoo every night. It really is an amazing show but I don't think this book really reflects that. It seems to get a little lost at times. Is it a guidebook? Or a nice little story? It doesn't seem to succeed at either, which is a shame as I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, I don't think it will become a classic and it obviously has a very niche market.
The illustrations are lovely. I wonder whether a glossy children's picture book in full colour with a simpler story would have been a better idea. A picture book about the tattoo would be wonderful!
It is a lovely idea and would be a great book for a child to read leading up to a holiday in Edinburgh, especially if they will be visiting castle or the tattoo.
I chose to read the book because I am currently up in Edinburgh keeping my boyfriend company while he performs with his army band at the tattoo every night. It really is an amazing show but I don't think this book really reflects that. It seems to get a little lost at times. Is it a guidebook? Or a nice little story? It doesn't seem to succeed at either, which is a shame as I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, I don't think it will become a classic and it obviously has a very niche market.
The illustrations are lovely. I wonder whether a glossy children's picture book in full colour with a simpler story would have been a better idea. A picture book about the tattoo would be wonderful!
January 5, 2022
The fox is exhausted. She’s lost her family and her den. She sets out to find a home for herself. A soldier offers her food at Edinburgh Castle. She decides to make a den at the castle.
Castle Cat helps her survive but it is tricky for the wild fox to get used to the sounds and people around a castle. How does she manage? What trouble does she find herself in?
I enjoyed the story setting in Edinburgh Castle.
Recommended for MG especially those interested in castles and foxes.
Castle Cat helps her survive but it is tricky for the wild fox to get used to the sounds and people around a castle. How does she manage? What trouble does she find herself in?
I enjoyed the story setting in Edinburgh Castle.
Recommended for MG especially those interested in castles and foxes.
December 27, 2022
What a lovely little story! Perfect for animal lovers and Scotland fans!
The book is short enough to be read in one sitting, but not so short as to leave you unsatisfied.
The writing style is clear and immediate, and the illustrations are small works of art.
I believe this book will be enjoyed by grown-ups and children alike.
The book is short enough to be read in one sitting, but not so short as to leave you unsatisfied.
The writing style is clear and immediate, and the illustrations are small works of art.
I believe this book will be enjoyed by grown-ups and children alike.
January 14, 2019
A charming book about a little fox from the Borders who ends up in Edinburgh living near the castle.
December 30, 2025
I love the storyline! 🐾
October 20, 2016
I bought this from a charity shop and there was a load of them so I don't know if the shop bought them in or they were a certain edition. I'm pretty sure you can buy the book everywhere but it was slightly weird that the books were brand new especially considering it was a charity shop.
Anyway. This was a very pretty book. I loved the storyline and the illustrations were a massive bonus. I think it's a nice book for kids to read as well as a cool book for adults.
Anyway. This was a very pretty book. I loved the storyline and the illustrations were a massive bonus. I think it's a nice book for kids to read as well as a cool book for adults.
June 23, 2015
Quick read. More 2,5 stars.
I know this is supposed to be a childrens book, but unfortunately it felt like a dull one. The language was to easy and repetetive in my opinion. A this I must say that I enjoyed to review all the familiar places/spots in Edinburgh in my mind.
I know this is supposed to be a childrens book, but unfortunately it felt like a dull one. The language was to easy and repetetive in my opinion. A this I must say that I enjoyed to review all the familiar places/spots in Edinburgh in my mind.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews