A celebration of live storytelling, oral traditions and cultural diversity, with Scottish and international storytellers and musicians. Info: www.tracscotland.org/festivals

The Annasach Ceilidh Band provide the live music at this ceilidh dance with a caller at Counting House,West Nicolson St. Info: www.annasach.co.uk

Morning lectures explain the linear process of whisky making - Malting, Mashing, Distillation, Maturation, Libation/Marketing/Nosing and Tasting. Afternoons offer Peat Cutting, Gaelic and English Distillery Tours, Whisky Tastings, Ceilidh Corner, Independent Bottlers, Independent Distillers and more at Bowmore Hall. Info: www.theatreofdrams.scot

Kicking off with a ceilidh, the event takes in competitions and championships during the day before finishing with the Senior Scottish Championship and performances by some of Scotland's top musicians at Salutation Hotel, South St. Info: www.perthaccordionfestival.co.uk

Enjoy a succession of wonderful bulbs, flowering shrubs, rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and primulas and a woodland garden with ponds above Loch Etive at Scottish baronial house by John Starforth of Glasgow. Info: www.scotlandsgardens.org

Are you brave enough to visit Alloway on Halloween? Spooky Guided Tour of the Bard’s birthplace and Alloway’s Auld Haunted Kirk at Burns Cottage. Info: 01292 443700 or [email protected]

A wee folk festival for a wee village. The weekend's programme includes evening concerts, workshops and an open stage competition. The main events are joined by continual sessions for uninterrupted foot-tapping. Info: www.denholmfolkfest.co.uk

Bilingual, interactive fun with big beasties from traditional Gaelic storytelling lore at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Info: www.tracscotland.org/scottish-storytelling-centre

A sound and light spectacular lighting up Northern Scotland skies for 12 nights at Grant Park, Victoria Rd. Info: www.coloursofcluny.com

Glasgow's festival of the national tipple is especially interested in distillers and bottlers from in and around Glasgow itself, but they welcome all, big or small at Hampden Park, Letherby Dr. Info: www.glasgowswhiskyfestival.com

The coastal town gets frosty with a series of activities. Info: www.obanwinterfestival.com

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

From the traditional to the contemporary, Eddi Reader brings life to all forms of song at Howden Park Centre. Info: [email protected]

Who do you think you are-West Lothian style! Have you ever thought about researching your family tree, but don't know where to start? Come to Broxburn Library to start your search. Info: www.westlothian.gov.uk

The UK's longest continuous running mountain film festival at Bonar Hall, The University of Dundee, Park Place. Info: www.dundeemountainfilm.org.uk

Wishing all our readers and friends a happy St Andrew's Day! Celebrate St Andrew’s Day, Scotland’s national day.

Irvine’s historic waterfront will light up with fireworks as the country’s newest art and light spectacular comes to life. Info: www.illuminationfestival.co.uk

Celebrate St. Andrews Day and the Home of the Flag and celebrate Scotland's fascinating heritage, wonderful culture, delicious food & drink traditions, best of Scottish music, arts, innovation and entertainment. Info: www.visiteastlothian.org/the-saltire

A mix of family fun including pantos, music, street market, carols, fairs and Christmas activities. Info: www.kleo.org.uk

The Scottish Borders is overflowing with history and beauty. This is a winter festival with events taking place in Galashiels, Kelso, Jedburgh, Selkirk and Hawick. Info: www.facebook.com/ScottishBordersWinterFestival

Expect blazing bagpipes, accordion and fiddle mixed with standard rock instruments as the 'boy band of Scottish traditional music' play live at Darvel Town Hall. Info: www.skerryvore.com

Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent at Hawick Town Hall, High St. Info: www.rhcp.scot

Celebrate the end of 2017 at the Festive Family Ceilidh with Clamjamfrie; a traditional evening of Scottish music and ceilidh dancing for everyone to enjoy at Paisley Town Hall. Info: www.whatsonrenfrewshire.co.uk

Edinburgh's Hogmanay is one of the world's greatest New Year celebrations. Three days of spectacular events, as Scotland shows the world how to celebrate. Info: www.edinburghshogmanay.com

Celebrate the closing of the year with a steam ride, including a traditional Scottish black bun and tea or coffee on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. Info: www.bkrailway.co.uk

A family-friendly Hogmanay party with live music, a piper and traditional snacks at The Brunton. Info: www.thebrunton.co.uk

The Scottish Banner wishes all our readers and friends a very Happy Hogmanay and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2018!

Dive into 2018 with a dip off South Queensferry. Gather for the parade and watch as the swimmers freeze their proverbials off under the iconic Forth Rail Bridge. Info: www.edinburghshogmanay.com

Visit locations from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander novels as visited by characters Claire and Jamie. Hear stories of the Jacobites, the Stuarts, witchcraft, clans and how the fictional story intermingles with history. Info: www.mercattours.com

Celtic Connections is a winter music festival in Glasgow, featuring artists from around the globe alongside the best Scottish talent at venues across the city. Info: www.celticconnections.com

The world's biggest Burns Night celebration. Stars from across the country congregate as Dumfries celebrates the birth of the Baird with a vast selection of dance, theatre, visual arts, live art and comedy, turning Burns' Night into a festival of contemporary arts. Info: www.bigburnssupper.com

Dance Director of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Aileen Robertson choreographs Hop Scotch Polka. Showcasing dancers aged 3+ who aspire to perform in the Tattoo Dance Company at Edinburgh Castle’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Gaiety Theatre. Info: www.thegaiety.co.uk

The only Scottish trade gift show at the SECC. Info: 01877 385772 or www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

Celebrate Burns Night in style with an evening of top comedy at The Stand. Info: www.thestand.co.uk

Annasach Ceilidh Band invites you to our informal celebration of The Bard's birthday at the Counting House. Info: www.annasach.co.uk

A night to celebrate the life and works of Robert Burns. The tradition of the Burns Night Supper was first held in 1801 by the poet's friends, five years after his death. Today events take place around the world with Scottish music, poetry, food, drink and dance.

Celebrate the Bard’s birthday in style at an informal nod to a Burns Supper. The Borland Ceilidh Band and a variety of talented local musicians will perform while you enjoy traditional Burns Supper fare at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Info: www.burnsmuseum.org.uk

The Flaming Heather ceilidh band and caller Ken Gourlay set off Burns Night right, with a few folk dancers and a piper in tow at Lauriston Hall. Info: www.edinburghceilidhs.net

Celebrate Scotland's national bard and learn about the Stirling Lines with a dram of whiskey and a bite of haggis at Stirling Castle. Info: +44 (0)131 668 8885 or [email protected]

Pipe bands and military displays at The SSE Hydro. Info: www.theglasgowtattoo.com

This music festival is a competitive event that allows people of all ages and abilities to show off their skills. The main discipline groups are vocal, instrumental, speech, Gaelic and Scottish. Competitions are open to the public. Info: www.invernessmusicfestival.org

StAnza is a literary festival that focuses on verse. Joining the locals for readings, performances, slams and open mics, jazz, films, workshops and poetry-related art exhibitions, installations and films are a host of local and international wordsmiths. Info: www.stanzapoetry.org

A weekend-long celebration of the natural world with wildlife film screenings, celebrity speakers and a photographic exhibition. Info: www.wildfilmfestivalscotland.co.uk

Scotland's foremost folk/roots troubadour, renowned for his meaningful, haunting music at Dundee Rep, Tay Square. Info: www.dougiemaclean.com

Edinburgh’s TradFest kick starts the summer season with a feast of folk arts - music, storytelling, dance, folk film, literature, talks, crafts and visual arts - across Scotland’s capital. Info: www.tracscotland.org/festivals/tradfest

Wear your tartan with pride and join in with your fellow walkers, as this event aims to raise money for charities. This year there are three distances to choose from; 26 miles, 13 miles or the Wee Walk of 6 miles, all of which finish at Moss O' Balloch Park. Info: www.thekiltwalk.co.uk

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 on one of the most magical nights of the year. Info: www.beltane.org

One of the world’s biggest whisky festivals with a programme of almost 500 whisky-inspired events at various venues. Info: +44 7789 671 635 or www.spiritofspeyside.com

The World Ceilidh returns for 2018 to celebrate with the best music, the best audience and the best atmosphere at Knockengorroch Farm, Carsphairn, Castle Douglas. Info: www.knockengorroch.org.uk