Upcoming Events › Scotland

Dumfries, one of Scotland’s friendliest towns flings open its doors for 114 events across 11 days of top-class music, comedy, dance and cabaret at the world’s biggest contemporary Burns celebration. Info: www.bigburnssupper.com

Taking place annually on the last Tuesday of January in the town of Lerwick, the Shetland’s Viking Fire Festival, or Up Helly Aa as it’s known locally, is the largest event of its kind in Europe. Thousands of visitors from across the world travel to this northernmost corner of Scotland to join in this Scandinavian ... Read more

Jings, Crivvens, Help Ma Boab! Scotland’s cheekiest, spiky-haired scamp is back! Only question is; where’s his bucket?! Join Wullie, Fat Boab, Soapy Soutar, Wee Eck, and the rest of the Sunday Post gang, in a brand new musical adventure celebrating their 80th anniversary as Scotland’s most beloved comic strip. Info: www.thegaiety.co.uk/oor-wullie

Two weeks of arts and astronomy events to the Isle of Lewis, with an ambitious and exciting programme spanning theatre, live music, film, visual art, food, astronomy talks, and stargazing. Info: www.lanntair.com/creative-programme/darkskies

Join the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland for their next concert "Decade", will see the band perform a fantastic mixture of traditional and contemporary music infused with the ever so popular NYPBoS twist at the Corn Exchange. Info: www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/play/national-youth-pipe-band-of-scotland/events

SPECTRA will once again light up the winter nights in Aberdeen encouraging audiences to get out and experience the city looking its best using interactive light sculptures, architectural projections and film to create new ways of exploring the city. Info: www.spectrafestival.co.uk

An annual festival of mountain culture with great speakers, films, exhibitions, workshops, book festival fringe events and more. Info: www.mountainfestival.co.uk

Following 2018's excellent talk by Guy Puzey we have invited Guy back to give his talk on our WWII heroine Winkie the pigeon alongside a special guest - Winkie herself! Hear how Winkie was responsible for saving the lives of a crew on board a Beaufort Fighter Plane in 1942 at Broughty Castle Museum. Info: ... Read more

Scotland's Poetry Festival, is held every March in St Andrews, Scotland's oldest university town. With readings, exhibitions, performances, music, film and more. Info: www.stanzapoetry.org

David Steel, Reserve Manager on the Isle of May, gives an illustrated talk at Duns Parish Church,Castle St. Info: [email protected]

Every March 10th you are invited to go out and play your pipes – anywhere, anyhow to anyone. Or you can simply listen to the pipes and enjoy the sound of Scotland!

Europe's biggest comedy festival! Info: www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com

Step back in time to the mid sixteenth century when the Borderlands were an area of constant feuding – when loyalties were to kinship rather than king and country and when “Reiving” was a means of survival. A programme of music, drama and re-enactments allow you to experience what life was like in the mid ... Read more

The annual celebration of whisky- raise a dram - where ever in the world to honour the many unsung heroes of the past and present, who have been crafting the King o'Drinks for centuries. Info: www.internationalwhiskyday.org

Clan members and septs gather for a variety of activities and events celebrating Clan Gunn. Info: www.clangunnsociety.org

2020 marks the 700th anniversary of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath. Events include a Festival Concert, Declaration Pageant Procession, Arbroath Embroidered Tapestry. Info: www.arbroath2020.com

A springtime event to celebrate all things food, from the people behind the ever-popular Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival. Springfest is back in 2020 with another fantastic line up of food and drink producers, live entertainment, whisky tastings, chef demonstrations, kids’ activities and more. Info: www.lochlomondspringfest.co.uk

Celebrate spring and explore how people prepared for the season 2500 years ago, with the chance to help plough fields, plant crops, ready boats and more. The Scottish Crannog Centre wakes up after the winter and invites you to join them in celebrating the start of Spring. Info: www.crannog.co.uk

A modern interpretation of the ancient fertility festival, the Beltane is the only festival of its kind in the world. Join hundreds of performers and thousands of revellers as they come together on Calton Hill to celebrate the death of winter and the birth of summer by casting off the darkness and celebrating the light ... Read more

Starts the Scottish piping, games and Highland Dance season against the scenic backdrop of the Firth of Clyde and Argyll hills beyond at Battery Park. Info: www.facebook.com/GourockHighlandGames

Held in the historic grounds of Gordon Castle, the event brings together the traditionally Scottish and the quintessentially country to offer visitors a variety of entertainment. Info: www.gordoncastle.co.uk/highland-games

Every year there is a diverse programme featuring traditional music, ceilidhs, Gaelic lessons, golf, bowling and whisky tasting. Info: www.islayfestival.com

Over 100 bands from across the UK, Ireland and beyond flock to the Paisley’s St James Playing Fields for the first of the five annual ‘majors’ in the piping calendar. Info: www.paisley.is

This unrivalled spectacle gives locals and visitors alike the chance to participate in a unique Highland tradition that has persisted for generations. The two day Atholl Gathering weekend consists of The Atholl Highlanders’ Parade on Saturday followed by the Highland Games on Sunday at Blair Castle. Info: https://blair-castle.co.uk/scottish-highland-castle/atholl-highlanders-parade-gathering

Traditional Highland Games celebrating 150 years of Highland excellence in 2020. Info: www.blackfordhighlandgames.co.uk

The University of Glasgow will host a major conference to look at the history, customs, politics, culture, clothes and music featured in the Outlander TV series. Inludes a key note speech by author and creator Diana Gabaldon. Info: www.outlanderconferenceglasgow.com

The river town of Dumbarton, where the Cutty Sark was built, connects Loch Lomond with the Clyde by the River Leven. This exciting new festival of music, arts and recreational events will run over four days to celebrate how water shaped this historic town, from distilling to shipbuilding. Info: www.dumbarton2020.co.uk

Traditional Scottish family fun day with running, heavy weights, solo piping and Highland dance competitions. Info: www.helensburghandlomondgames.co.uk

Packed with brilliant moments, the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival engages the local region, bringing together boats, music, crafts, food and drink to celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage. Info: www.stbfportsoy.org

Piping Inverness, the European Pipe Band Championships, will be taking place in the stunning setting of Bught Park, for the second time in 2020. Inverness, the Highland capital, will be hosting the Championships from 2019 to 2021.Info: www.pipinginverness.com

This internationally renowned event has a unique setting in the Scottish Hebridean island of Lewis, the heartland of the Gaelic language and culture. Info: www.hebceltfest.com

Summer School; an action packed four weeks of dancing in the historic university town of St Andrews. Join some 700 dancers from as far afield as South Africa, North and South America, Japan, Australasia, China, continental Europe and, of course, Scotland and the UK. To lead the classes we have the best Scottish country dance ... Read more

A fun and entertaining occasion for all the family filled with athletic events, Scottish music, dancing and much more. Founded in 1652, these are the second-oldest highland games in the world and feature highland dancing, running, cycling and heavy events. Info: www.burntislandhighlandgames.co.uk

Will introduce a Canal Carnival Flotilla, a parade of boats adorned with large-scale carnivalesque artworks that will celebrate the diversity of Glasgow's multicultural communities and the beauty of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Info: www.glasgowcanalfestival.com

With over 125 pipe bands, first class entertainment and traditional highland dancing all on offer, why not come along and witness the sound of Scotland first hand at Levengrove Park. Info: www.rspba.org

Traditional Highland games with music, dancing and sports. Includes the clan gathering of the clans McLaren, Stewart, McGregor and McNabb at Games Park. Info: www.lochearnheadhighlandgames.co.uk

Cameron clansfolk, septs, descendants and friends are cordially invited to an International Gathering of Clan Cameron at Achnacarry, that stunning residence near Loch Arkaig upon the Lochiel Estate near Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire. Info: www.facebook.com/clancameron

A world-class military events rooted in Scottish tradition, with hundreds of performers from across the globe, at the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. Info: www.edintattoo.co.uk

Since 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival has brought powerful and significant work to delight and challenge the capital's residents and visitors with a celebration of music, theatre, art and dance. Info: www.eif.co.uk

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the single biggest celebration of arts and culture on the planet. Every August, for three weeks, the city of Edinburgh welcomes an explosion of creative energy from around the globe. Info: www.edfringe.com

Calling all MacKenzie's and septs for a variety of events. Info: www.clanmackenziesociety.co.uk/events/gathering-2020/

The world's biggest week of piping from daily performances at the Street Cafe to Pipe Bands in the heart of the city on Glasgow's Buchanan Street, this festival brings musicians together from across the world. Info: www.pipinglive.co.uk

Traditional village Highland games with athletics, a pipe band, heavy weights, Highland dancing and stalls. Info: www.facebook.com/BrodickHighlandGames

The Worlds now regularly attract more than 220 bands with more than a quarter coming from overseas. The event regularly receives entries from 15 or more countries at Glasgow Green. Info: www.theworlds.co.uk

A full programme of traditional Highland games competitions on offer including running, youth running, cycling, Highland dancing, heavyweights, long jump and triple jump, also showcasing several piping performances throughout the day at The Peak Sports Village. Info: www.stirlinghighlandgames.com

Join around 23,000 people who visit every year to soak up the unique, friendly atmosphere and stunning Highland location. Includes the World Highland Dancing Championships. Info: www.cowalgathering.com