Wigtown Book Festival

Wigtown, Scotland Wigtown, United Kingdom

The 10-day annual literary celebration, which takes place in Scotland's National Book Town, will feature more than 250 events for all ages, with a host of well-known faces. Info: www.wigtownbookfestival.com

Clan MacNicol 2024 International Gathering

Portree, Isle of Skye , United Kingdom

Clan Chief, John MacNeacail of MacNeacail and Scorrybreac along with Clan Chieftains have decided it's time to return to the land of their forebears and reconnect with their worldwide family. New Chieftain, Donnie Nicolson will be hosting the events such as talks, walks and a ceilidh. Info: www.clanmacnicol.org

The Enchanted Forest

Pitlochry - Scotland Pitlochry , Scotland

Set your imagination alight with dazzling visuals and innovative design, all choreographed against an original music score, while you explore the stunning autumn woodland setting of Forestry & Land Scotland’s Faskally Wood near Pitlochry. Info: www.enchantedforest.org.uk

Leith Comedy Festival

Leith , United Kingdom

This annual weekend is packed with various comedy events across Leith in Edinburgh, including stand-up shows, workshops and a quiz. Info: www.leithcomedyfest.com

The Royal National Mòd 2024

Oban - Scotland Oban, Scotland

Oban welcomes back Gaeldom’s premiere musical and cultural event for the 17th time in 2024, continuing its legacy on the West Coast. The event promotes Gaelic language and culture through music, song, dance, drama, literature, and the arts. Info: www.ancomunn.co.uk

Borderlands Whisky Festival

Lockerbie , United Kingdom

The best whisky producers from the Borderlands and beyond. Info: www.borderlandswhiskyfestival.com

Scottish International Storytelling Festival

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

An annual celebration of storytelling and one of the most admired storytelling events in the world and the largest of its kind. Info: www.sisf.org.uk

Perth All -Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Festival

Perth - Scotland Perth , Scotland

Run every year since 1950, the Perth Accordion & Fiddle Festival features competitions, concerts and ceilidhs - opening with a welcome dance on Friday night. Info: www.perthaccordionfestival.co.uk

Loch and Land Festival

Loch Ness - Scotland Loch Ness, Scotland

A new festival around Inverness and Loch Ness to celebrate the abundant natural beauty and multitude of outdoor activities that the destination has to offer. From climbing, yoga, archery, sea kayaking, whitewater sledging, fly fishing and axe throwing, to tours, cruises, litter picks, speaker events, wood carving and wild swimming, there’s something for everyone. Info: ... Read more

Stitched-Scotland’s Embroidered Art

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

Dovecot Studios will present a major new exhibition of Scotland’s textile treasures, many of which have never been on public display. Curated in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland, the exhibition will be the first time these textiles are presented together as significant works of art in their own right. ‘Stitched: Scotland’s Embroidered Art’ ... Read more

Glenfiddich Piping Championship

Blair Atholl Perthshire , United Kingdom

The Glenfiddich Piping Championship was established in 1974 to inspire the world's finest individual pipers and to seek the best overall exponents of ceòl mòr or piobaireachd (the great music) and ceòl beag or light music (the little music). Each year, 10 competitors qualify to play at Blair Castle, through placing in one of a ... Read more

The National Piping Centre Adult Seasonal Piping Gathering

Glasgow - Scotland Glasgow, Scotland

The National Piping Centre is bringing you a fantastic, four-day Adult Gathering for pipers aged 18+ at The National Piping Centre, Glasgow. This school has been designed to give a fantastic social learning experience with World Class instructors. Info: www.thepipingcentre.co.uk

Samhuinn Fire Festival

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

Edinburgh's spectacular Winter celebration returns with a live parade to celebrate the ancient ritual of Samhuinn, putting a fiery twist on Halloween night. Info: www.beltane.org

The Autumn Gathering 2024

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

The Autumn Gathering provides an opportunity for Scottish country dancers from across the world to gather over a weekend in Edinburgh. Info: www.rscds.org/events

The Stirling Whisky Festival

Stirling - Scotland Stirling , Scotland

Established in 2012 The Stirling Whisky Festival continues to be a crowd pleaser attracting the best of the best from Scotland and beyond. Info: [email protected]

Alloa Real Ale and Cider Festival

Alloa

Now in its 31st year, this festival has over 40 beers from across Scotland including local beers, plus live music, hot food and soft drinks. Info: www.forthvalley.camra.org.uk

Oban Winter Festival

Oban - Scotland Oban, Scotland

Ten days of activities, films and light shows to celebrate the winter season. The coastal town gets festive with a series of activities, films and light shows to celebrate the fluffy white season that carries the year to a close. Info: www.obanwinterfestival.com

Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra Fiddlers Rally

Glasgow - Scotland Glasgow, Scotland

The Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra is joined by players from around Scotland to perform reels, strathspeys, airs, jigs and much more, at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Info: www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

Push the Boat Out: Edinburgh’s International Poetry Festival

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

is a festival where a venn diagram of artforms come together, cross-pollinate and collide: poetry, spoken word, live music, hip hop, songwriting, film, sound, gaming, visual art and concrete poetry, at Edinburgh’s iconic Summerhall. Info: www.pushtheboatout.org

The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society-Dance Around the World

Taking dancers on a journey from Scotland around the world and back, the programme features 12 dances with connections to six continents through devisers, themes and locations, before bringing everyone together with The Homecoming Dance. Dance Around the World will mark one year since the RSCDS Centenary and on this day we want to fill ... Read more

Edinburgh’s Magical Christmas

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

The Lauriston Christmas magic show is back! Witness startling magic and uplifting mystery, inspired by history and legends of the city of Edinburgh, in the lavish, historic setting of Lauriston Castle. Info: www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/Lauriston-Castle.aspx

Happy St Andrew’s Day

Nationwide

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!

Drambuster Whisky Festival

Dumfries - Scotland Dumfries, Scotland

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

MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards

Inverness - Scotland Inverness, Scotland

The single most important awards ceremony for folk and trad musicians, bands and artists- a celebration and showcase Scotland’s flourishing traditional music scene at Inverness Leisure Centre . Info: www.projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmusicawards

St Giles and the larger Burgh Churches in Scotland: 900 Years of Development

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

St Giles is well known and also celebrates 900 years of existence. It is one of several large churches that developed in, or close to, the centres of Royal Burghs, and this talk describes their development as an illustration of the development of royal burghs. It will focus primarily of St Giles which has a ... Read more

Hoolie in the Hydro

Glasgow - Scotland Glasgow, Scotland

This momentous musical showcase of Scottish traditional music will return to the OVO Hydro. Info: www.ovohydro.com

Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook

Inverness - Scotland Inverness, Scotland

One of the masters of Scottish contemporary folk is joined by a selection of special guests for a showcase of modern and traditional Christmas music, at Eden Court. Info: www.philcunningham.com

Happy Christmas

The Scottish Banner wishes all our readers, advertisers, followers and friends a very Merry Christmas!

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

Join revellers from around the globe at incredible events featuring spectacular live music concert, unforgettable fireworks, Street Party extravaganzas and free New Year’s Day family events. Info: www.edinburghshogmanay.com

Scottish Fiddle Orchestra Hogmany Concert

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

Join in the fun and enjoy the party atmosphere of a traditional Scottish Hogmanay at the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra's annual festive concert. Full of well known tunes with a few surprises, there will be singing, piping and plenty of fiddling as we toast the old year and bring in the new at Usher Hall. Info: ... Read more

Happy Hogmanay

Nationwide

The Scottish Banner wishes all our readers, advertisers and friends a very Happy Hogmanay and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2025!

Oban Hogmanay Party

Oban - Scotland Oban, Scotland

Bring in the bells with family and friends at The View, Oban's largest town centre venue. Enjoy Oban's biggest Hogmanay celebration, with entertainment from their popular DJ. Info: www.obanview.com

The Hogmany Ceilidh

Glasgow - Scotland Glasgow, Scotland

There is no better way to end the year than with a traditional ceilidh in the heart of Glasgow, and why not do it in style by coming along to The Ferry on the banks of the River Clyde on the eve of the New Year. The marvellous Coila Ceilidh Band will descend on Glasgow ... Read more

Stonehaven Fireballs

Stonehaven - Scotland Stonehaven

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.com

Celtic Connections

Glasgow - Scotland Glasgow, Scotland

The UK's premier celebration of Celtic music, with performances, workshops and events at various venues across Glasgow. Info: www.celticconnections.com

Big Burns Supper

Dumfries , United Kingdom

Scotland's biggest Burns Night celebration and Winter Fringe Festival which takes place in venues across Dumfries each January, including the Spiegeltent and the show Le Haggis. Info: www.bigburnssupper.com

Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring

Glasgow - Scotland Glasgow, Scotland

Brimming with suppliers from far and wide, showcasing the finest Scotland, and the UK has to offer, this is the place to source those 2025 gifts, homewares, crafts, textiles, jewellery, fine food and drinks. Trade only event at the SEC. Info: www.scotlandstradefairs.com

Happy Burns Night

Celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Scottish poet Robert Burns. The tradition of the Burns Night Supper was first held in 1801 by the poet’s friends, five years after his death.

Celebrating Burns

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

Robert Burns, undoubtedly one of Scotland's literary greats, but what exactly was he on about? Come along to Edinburgh Castle to find out more about the bard and some of his works. Info: www.edinburghcastle.scot

Scottish National Whisky Festival

Glasgow - Scotland Glasgow, Scotland

A definitive whisky and cultural experience, this festival brings together a line up of some of the best exhibitors from across the whisky industry, with hundreds of whiskies and other spirits available to sample over each session at SWG3, Studio Warehouse, 100 Eastvale Place. Info: www.swg3.tv

Burns An’ A’ That

Stirling - Scotland Stirling , Scotland

In 1787 Robert Burns visited Stirling Castle, after which he returned to his hotel where he etched the now famous Stirling Lines. Join us at the castle that inspired these works to celebrate burns an' a' that, why not have a go at addressing the haggis. Info: www.stirlingcastle.scot

Up Helly Aa 2025

Lerwick, Shetland , United Kingdom

One of Scotland’s most unique winter festivals. The Up Helly Aa fire festivals are amongst the biggest annual celebrations in Shetland. Inspired by Shetland’s Viking past, communities across the islands come together for a night of guizing (dressing up), burning torches through the streets and dancing the night away to traditional Shetland music. Info: www.uphellyaa.org

Scottish Colourists and Their Contemporaries

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

A breakthrough exhibition which for the first time brings together the Scots, Irish, English and Welsh artists, along with their cutting-edge Continental peers, who collectively forged a new language of colour at the turn of the 20th century, at Dovecot Studios. Info: www.dovecotstudios.com

The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Winter School

Pitlochry - Scotland Pitlochry , Scotland

Winter School attracts around 150 dancers from the UK, continental Europe, North America and Australasia. Attendees enjoy a 4-star stay in the Atholl Palace Hotel, with a range of classes, social dances, tours and of course, the famous ball at Blair Castle. Info: www.rscds.org/events/winter-school-2025

Scottish Fiddle Orchestra with the RAF Central Scotland Pipes and Drums

Perth - Scotland Perth , Scotland

All tuned up and ready to go, the Orchestra can't wait to take to the stage again in Perth Concert Hall and are delighted to be joined once more by the RAF Central Scotland Pipes and Drums, ably led by Pipe Major Ian Hughes. Info: www.perththeatreandconcerthall.com

Inverness Fiddlers Rally

Inverness - Scotland Inverness, Scotland

Once again the Fiddlers will be joined by fellow enthusiasts from all over Scotland to form an orchestra of around 100 players performing a varied program of traditional music from Scotland and beyond, at Eden Court. Info: www.eden-court.co.uk

Glasgow International Comedy Festival

Glasgow - Scotland Glasgow, Scotland

Celebrate Glasgow's status as the funniest city in the world at venues across the city. Info: www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com

Snowdrop Walk

Melrose - Scotland Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scotland

Join the Rangers to learn more about the beautiful snowdrops, heritage trees and wildlife of this special site. Family friendly activities will be delivered throughout the day and there will also be two guided walks exploring Dryburgh Abbey. Info: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dryburgh-abbey  

Highland Young Musicians Concert Festival 2025

Inverness - Scotland Inverness, Scotland

Highland Young Musicians are thrilled to return to Eden Court Theatre with our 2025 showcase of the highest quality Highland youth music-making at Eden Court. Info: www.eden-court.co.uk

Tartan Parade Scotland

Edinburgh - Scotland Edinburgh , Scotland

This exciting new event will bring together tartans, pipe bands, dancers, musicians, organisations, and individuals from Edinburgh, as well as across Scotland, and beyond - to celebrate the country's rich heritage, tartans, culture and inclusivity. Info: www.handupevents.co.uk/tartan-parade-scotland

The Quest 2025

Loch Ness - Scotland Loch Ness, Scotland

Four captivating days, uniting individuals and organisations in a collective exploration to solve the mystery of Loch Ness and its elusive monster. Through a series of engaging events, you’ll search, debate, and delve into the mysteries that shroud this legendary loch. Info: www.lochness.com/the-quest

Fèis Ìle – The Islay Festival

Isle of Islay - Scotland Isle of Islay, Scotland

An annual gathering of whisky and Islay fans from across the globe, a ten day event that defines the whisky calendar. Info: www.feisile.co.uk

Orkney 2025 Island Games

Orkney - Scotland Orkney , Scotland

A celebration of sports and island communities. This week-long event will see athletes from up to 24 island groups from across the world compete in 13 exciting sports. Info: www.orkney2025.com

World Pipe Band Championships

Glasgow - Scotland Glasgow, Scotland

Thousands of pipers and drummers in all grades from across Scotland, the UK and globe compete at the annual competition held at Glasgow Green. Info: www.theworlds.co.uk

The Stirling Gathering

Stirling - Scotland Stirling , Scotland

A new Festival of Scotland. Set against a backdrop of Stirling Castle, a festival for all ages celebrating Scotland’s Past, Present and Future. Info: www.thesaltiregathering.scot

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