Upcoming Events › Scotland

Celebrates old traditions and new connections, building bridges between artists, regions and communities in a feast of storytelling, music and dance. SISF 2019 will have a special focus between Scotland and Canada, aimed at developing new creative work, collaborations and exchanges between Scottish and Canadian artists and festivals. Info: www.sisf.org.uk

Experience one of the UK’s most spectacular illumination events at Dean Castle County Park. The park is illuminated with light installations and AV effects, and there's quality local food and drink to keep you refreshed.Info: www.illuminight.co.uk

The 2019 Orkney Storytelling Festival takes place around Orkney between the 24th-27th October. The festival has a truly international flavour, with storytellers from Scotland, Canada and Africa. Info: www.orkneystorytellingfestival.co.uk

Festivals Paisley RenfrewshirBeware the witching hour, when supernatural creatures and ghostly figures gather their powers to scare even the bravest of souls at Halloween. Info: www.whatsonrenfrewshire.co.uk

The 57th Scottish Ploughing Championships will also be hosting the 22nd European Vintage Ploughing Championships. Over 200 competitors will battle it out in horse, vintage, modern and classic categories over the two day event, culminating in the crowning of European Vintage and Scottish Champions. Info: www.scotplough.co.uk

The Glenfiddich was established in 1974 to inspire the world's finest individual pipers and to seek the best overall exponents on Ceol Mor (or Piobaireachd, the great music) and Ceol Beag (or light music, the little music). The event is held annually in Blair Castle. Following the competition, the annual Pipers' Ceilidh will take place ... Read more

Celebrate the spookiest time of year with the Grand Halloween Parade through Perth city centre. There's also live music and dance, storytelling, face painting and fun fair rides. Info: www.perthcity.co.uk

Come and hear about the ancient legends of Samhain. Prepare for the most fearful day of all with a lovely winter storytelling and music session around the protective Crannog fire, as the veil between our world and the spirit world is lifted at the Scottish Crannog Centre. Info: www.crannog.co.uk

A variety of music events across Perthshire with Dougie Maclean and friends including; music sessions, a triple Cabaret Amber, a big Dougie concert at Perth Concert Hall, and a Farewell Concert/Event. Info: www.perthshireamber.com

Ceremony in remembrance of the members of the armed forces who sacrificed their lives for our safety, featuring dramatic and musical performances. Info: www.sllcboxoffice.co.uk

Magical events, shopping and festive fun in the heart of the city. Info: www.glasgowloveschristmas.com

Edinburgh Castle is one of the most iconic of world monuments with almost 2 million visitors every year, and yet its medieval form has remained a mystery. This lecture will focus on how recent historical research and archaeological investigations have begun to reveal how different the Castle looked to Robert Bruce and the Stewart kings. ... Read more

This exciting, fiddle-fuelled weekend returns in 2019 with concerts, recitals, workshops, talks, stalls, sessions, festival clubs, and ceilidhs. Info: www.scotsfiddlefestival.com

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

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

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