Tartan will celebrate the global story of a unique pattern which has connected communities worldwide, expressed tradition, revolt and diversity, and inspired playful and provocative design. It is a complex, rich, and sometimes painful history unequalled by any other cloth or pattern. Tartan is a textile which is adored and derided, inspiring great works of art ... Read more

See Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden burst into festive colours as the enchanting illuminated trail returns to brighten up the winter nights. Info: www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-the-botanics-2023

Practise your moves at the popular ice rink on George Street or take-in breathtaking festive views of the city from the spectacular heights of the Big Wheel – an unmistakable landmark during Christmas in Edinburgh, it’s a fantastic way to experience the panoramas of the city’s UNESCO Heritage Old and New Towns and admire Edinburgh ... Read more

The biggest night of Scottish traditional music to ever take place. Hoolie in the Hydro is a momentous moment for Scotland’s trad scene as it takes to the country’s biggest indoor arena-The OVO Hydro. Info: www.ovohydro.com/events/detail/hoolie-in-the-hydro-2023

Phil Cunningham and his Christmas Songbook colleagues have been delighting audiences for the last 17 years. Phil will be joined by some of the finest musicians on the Scottish folk scene at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Info: www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

Edinburgh's world-famous New Year's celebrations, comprising three days of events, five stages of bands and DJs and over 60,000 revellers on Princes Street for the big night. As well as the stunning fireworks display above Edinburgh Castle and the perennially sell-out Concert in the Gardens – this year featuring Eddie Reader, Dougie MacLean and Basement ... Read more

For over 40 years the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra have been bringing the beauty and heritage of Scotland’s traditional music to audiences across the globe. Music lovers of all ages can expect to enjoy toe-tapping reels and jigs, lively strathspeys and marches, and poignant slow airs performed by the skilled members of one of Scotland’s foremost ... Read more

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. Info: www.the-ferry.co.uk

South Lanarkshire town's own New Year celebration with the welcoming of a New Year by the townsfolk in a warm, fiery glow. Info: www.biggarbonfire.org.uk

One of Scotland's most unique Hogmanay events. As the old Town House bell chimes midnight, the Fireballs are lit and swingers emerge from the street leading to the harbour. Info: www.stonehavenfireballs.com

A great Orkney tradition which sees almost the entire town turned into a football pitch for a chaotic and competitive kickabout. Info: www.bagame.com

A fire festival unique to Burghead, which greets the New Year. The significance of the 11th January dates back to the 1750’s, when the Julian calendar was reformed in Britain. Every 11th January the flaming Clavie (a barrel full of staves) is carried round the town followed by a large crowd. Info: www.burghead.com/clavie

Shetland’s ancient capital hosts the first of Shetland's annual fire festivals. Info: www.scalloway.net/events/fire-festival

Glasgow’s status as a UNESCO City of Music will be well and truly on display as more than 300 events bring 25 venues across the city to life, welcoming a host of unmissable music across its 18 days. The UK's largest Celtic, world and roots music festival. Info: www.celticconnections.com

Trade only event for Scottish retailers at the SEC. The Show will feature the best of what Scotland has to offer in terms of gifts, homeware, fashion, textiles, jewellery and crafts. Info: www.scotlandstradefairs.com

Celebrate the birth of our national bard, Robert Burns, we are delighted to be hosting a Burns Supper at the Corbie Inn, Bo'ness. Info: www.corbieinn.co.uk

Did you know that Robert Burns has strong links to the Cabrach? Join the folk of the Cabrach community for a traditional Burns Supper, ballads from the Bothy and stories of Scotland’s national bard. Info: www.cabrachtrust.org

Join The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow for an evening of traditional Scottish celebration, with fine dining, whisky and entertainment. This annual traditional Burns Supper is one of their favourite and most popular fundraising events bringing together a diverse College community for an evening of exquisite food, friendship and fun. Info: www.rcpsg.ac.uk

A definitive whisky and cultural experience, the 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. Info: www.swg3.tv

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

Celebrates the violin in all its globe-trotting variations. Fiddlers Kevin Burke (Ireland), Yuna Léon (Brittany) and Capercaillie’s own Charlie McKerron showcase a fascinating juxtaposition of international and individual styles at Mackintosh Church. Info: www.mackintoshchurch.com

Transatlantic Sessions returns for 2024, exploring and celebrating the rich musical traditions that connect Scotland, Ireland and the US. An annual focal point of Celtic Connections, the exclusive line-up combines guest singers and the celebrated house band, inviting them to interweave original material with age-old tunes and songs as they explore shared roots and find ... Read more

Spectra, Scotland’s magical Festival of Light returns shining a light on Scotland’s glorious Northeast for the tenth time. Each year, the festival brings a spectacular programme of works by some of the world’s leading visual artists, studios and companies to transform the Granite City with light, sound and eye-catching visual art. Info: www.spectrafestival.com

Welcoming both adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life to Fort William and Lochaber, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, for an action-packed programme full to the brim with inspiring speakers, creative workshops, guided outdoor activities, thought-provoking films, together with an interactive festival hub. Info: www.mountainfestival.co.uk

Taking place over five days in the Scottish town of Pitlochry, 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: https://rscds.org/events/winter-school-2024

The first official nationwide language week of its kind in Scotland, aims to promote Gaelic for all. The week-long celebration giving Scottish Gaelic speakers, learners and supporters the opportunity to celebrate the language at home and internationally. Info: www.seachdainnagaidhlig.scot.

Scotland take on England in this Six Nations fixture at Murrayfield Stadium. Info: www.scottishrugby.org

The world’s largest schools pipe band competition, returns to East Ayrshire at the William McIlvanney Campus. There are eight competition categories, beginning with quartets and culminating with the Juvenile category for bands, plus the hugely enjoyable and popular Freestyle. Info: www.thechampionships.org.uk

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

The competition pits the best Cullen Skink makers against each other with judging undertaken as a blind tasting with the highest score being declared the Cullen Skink World Champion. Come along, spectate and sample the competition entries and see who you think is the world champion. There will be stalls, stands, and fundraising raffles and ... Read more

The UK’s largest Science Festival with a programme of exhibitions, events, workshops, performances, screenings and discussions between some of the world's foremost scientific minds. Info: www.sciencefestival.co.uk.

The NYPBS round off our 2023-2024 programme with our flagship concert at Perth Concert Hall, which will feature three ensembles comprising around 135 young people for a night of incredible music. Info: www.nypbs.co.uk/eoyc2024

North east Scotland's biggest running event, with races for all age groups held in the stunning Royal Deeside scenery, at Balmoral Castle. Info: www.balmoralcastle.com

A special one-off event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the multi-award winning visitor attraction, the Kelpies, the world’s largest equine sculptures at the Helix Park in Falkirk. Info: www.thehelix.co.uk/whats-on/kelpies-10

A cycle sportive taking place around iconic Loch Ness, offering the chance to cycle 66 miles around the loch on traffic free roads. Info: www.etapelochness.com

Celebrate the start of summer at this event which combines a mix of fire, drumming, and pagan performance at Calton Hill. Info: www.beltane.org

The doors to Speyside’s world-famous distilleries open, inviting visitors from across the globe to meet the makers, taste the world’s finest whiskies and discover the passion behind them. But that’s not all, there are events fit for a foodie, live music, talks, tastings, tours and more. Info: www.spiritofspeyside.com

The UK's most northerly folk festival. Concerts are organised throughout the isles, consisting of some of the best International, British and Shetland music that the world has to offer.  Info: www.shetlandfolkfestival.com

The Atholl Highlanders officially open the Highland Games with a ‘March On’, led by the sound of their pipes and drums. Strongmen from around Scotland take centre stage to battle it out and much more at Blair Castle. Info: www.atholl-estates.co.uk/events/atholl-gathering

Featuring a variety of traditional Highland Games Competitions like the Sheaf Toss, Hammer Throw and of course the world-famous Caber Toss. Info: www.hlhighlandgames.scot

Scotland’s newest traditional music festival, is set to return to Glasgow’s Rouken Glen Park with a spectacular line up and even bigger programme of activities for all. The single biggest weekend of traditional music in the Central Belt. Info: thereeling.com

Join the Clan MacKinnon Society for local tours, workshops, sightseeing, social time, a banquet, and more... not to mention reconnecting with old friends and making new ones from near and far. Info: www.themackinnon.com/scotland2024.html

A range of entertainment including heavies, tug ‘o war and cycling and running races. Info: www.lusshighlandgames.co.uk

Robert the Bruce led Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence. He fought successfully during his reign to regain Scotland's place as an independent kingdom and is now revered in Scotland as a national hero. The 750th anniversary of his birth will be on 11 July 2024 and should be a cause of national ... Read more

Some of the best traditional and contemporary folk music, concerts, ceilidh, sessions, singarounds and workshops, plus the famous aqua ceilidh and world paper’n’comb championships. Info: www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk/34th-stonehaven-folk-festival

Traditional games with pipe bands, athletics, whisky, clans and more at Bught Park Pitches, Bught Rd. Info: www.invernesshighlandgames.com

Celebrate Scotland's rich culture and heritage with field and track events, piping, highland dancing competitions and heavyweight events on the grounds of Inveraray Castle. Info: www.inveraray-games.co.uk

HebCelt passionately protects and promotes its heritage, including the vibrant Gaelic and traditional music that is both part of its history and its contemporary life. It mixes the best local talent with leading Scottish, UK and world artists and brings together household names and emerging talent to provide a feast of music to appeal to ... Read more

The best in traditional and contemporary Celtic music in the form of concerts, ceilidhs, stomps, fairs and workshops, plus bustling craft fair, food and drink, and Speyfest Family Sunday. Info: www.speyfest.com

Annual golf tournament held over four courses in Aboyne, Ballater, Banchory and Braemar. Info: www.royaldeesidegolfweek.co.uk

The 2024 show is called Journeys and will feature the military at the heart of the showcase. Audiences can expect the magnificent sounds of the Massed Pipes and Drums filling up the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade alongside performances from the incredibly talented Tattoo Pipes and Drums and Tattoo Dancers. International acts will join the 2024 line ... Read more

For three weeks in August, the city of Edinburgh welcomes an explosion of creative energy from around the globe, the single greatest celebration of arts and culture on the planet at venues across Edinburgh. Info: www.edfringe.com

The International Festival presents some of the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre at venues across the city. Info: www.eif.co.uk

Piping Live! returns in full force to the streets of Glasgow in the run up to the World’s once again as Glasgow hosts the world’s biggest week of piping! This year is the 21st edition of the festival which attracts performers and audiences from across the world to venues across Glasgow. Info: www.pipinglive.co.uk

See all the traditional Highland events in the heart of Scotland. Info: www.perthhighlandgames.co.uk

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

Experience at first hand the magic of a traditional Highland Games set on a beautiful Scottish island, at The Stadium, High St. Info: www.butehighlandgames.org

World-class pipers, dancers and athletes competing in this unique, friendly atmosphere and stunning Highland location. Includes the World Highland Dancing Championships. Info: www.cowalgathering.com

Held at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park each September in the beautiful Cairngorms village of Braemar, it is the proud continuation of an ancient tradition of Gatherings here — one that can be traced back to the time of King Malcolm Canmore, over 900 years ago. Traditionally the Gathering has been ... Read more