Upcoming Events › Scotland

Edinburgh's Christmas is a spectacular, six-week season of festive entertainment in the heart of the city centre and also a Christmas Market. Info: www.edinburghschristmas.com

There will be exciting events marking St. Andrew's Day taking place across East Lothian from Monday 25th November - Sunday 1st December bringing together the very best of Scotland in the Home of the Flag. Info: www.visiteastlothian.org/the-saltire

The lecture traces the multiple fascinating episodes in history that made Edinburgh Castle the tourist attraction it is today, at Lauriston Castle. Info: www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk

Saint Andrew’s Day is Scotland’s official national day. Celebrate St Andrew’s Day (or in Scottish Gaelic ‘Là Naomh Anndrais’), Scotland’s patron saint!

A festival celebrating the water of life. Meet the makers and celebrities of the whisky world and have a wee dram of a range of malts and other spirits. Info: www.drambusters.com

Pull up a chair by the fire, relax with some Christmassy goodwill, but pull up the covers because not only does the winter chill – but so do the tales of terror. Join a collection of story tellers for a Christmas afternoon of Victorian and Edwardian Ghost stories in the atmospheric and beautiful surroundings of ... Read more

Join our traditional music students for their annual, rip-roaring, toe-tapping ceilidh in the home of Scottish music, the National Piping Centre. www.rcs.ac.uk

A unique brand of 'bag rock' (that's bagpipes plus rock, if you were wondering) with stirring tunes and energetic performances. Expect everything from 'Flower of Scotland' to Coldplay's 'Clocks', via AC/DC and Deep Purple at Music Hall, Union St. Info: www.redhotchillipipers.co.uk

Celebrate the festive season at Glamis Castle, with winter walks, holiday stalls, tours and more. Info: www.glamis-castle.co.uk

Festive ceilidh dance led by the Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band. Lanark Memorial Hall welcomes the Clyde Valley Ceilidh Band for an evening of foot stomping tunes and Christmas ceilidhing. Info: [email protected]

Wishing all our readers and friends a very Happy Christmas and festive season!

Edinburgh's Hogmanay is one of the world's greatest New Year celebrations, including street party, torchlight procession, ceilidh and more. Join for three days of spectacular events, as Edinburgh shows the world how to party! Info: www.edinburghshogmanay.com

The Scottish Banner wishes all our readers and friends a very Happy Hogmanay and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2020!

The Fireball Ceremony is Stonehaven's unique way to welcome in the New Year and greet friends and neighbours. As the midnight chimes ring out on December 31st, approximately 40 men and women parade up and down the High Street swinging fiercely flaming balls around their heads. Info: www.stonehavenfireballs.co.uk

The Loony Dook continues its New Year’s Day tradition at South Queensferry. In the shadow of the Forth Bridges, the dippers in fancy dress, scantily clad or even fully clothed from the night before will brave the chill to raise money for charities while shaking off their Hogmanay hangover. Dookers will march the length of ... Read more

Celtic Connections is the largest winter music festival of its kind and the UK’s premier celebration of Celtic music. Info: www.celticconnections.com

Over 500 companies exhibit thousands of products in Clothing, Textiles, Jewellery, Fashion Accessories, Clan Products, Beauty & Bath Products, Stationery, Giftware, Gift Food & Speciality Fine Food at Glasgow’s SEC-trade only event. Info: www.spring.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

Join friends from Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories celebrating Scotland’s national bard. Held in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court. All welcome to listen or bring a turn and join in! Info: www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com

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

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

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

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

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

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