THE GUIDE TO
SCOTLAND’S
FESTIVALS 2017 SUPPORTED BY
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THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2017
FOREWORD INTRODUCING THE GUIDE The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 is a celebration of Scotland’s people, our traditions, our distinct culture, our landscapes and icons, as well as our hidden gems. From the UK’s top festival of roots music, Celtic Connections, at the start of the year, to Scottish Archaeology Month in September, festivals of museums and storytelling to Hogmanay, a year-long programme of events promises to put Scotland’s heritage in the spotlight. We will also mark major anniversaries including the 70th year of Edinburgh as a world-leading festival city. Alongside the special events taking place this year, Scotland has a world-class selection of festivals on offer that you can read about in this publication. Look out for Take Me Somewhere, reviving the spirit of Glasgow’s much-missed Arches venue, and Manipulate, celebrating 10 years of innovative visual theatre. Creative Scotland and VisitScotland proudly support this publication, recognising the importance that festivals play in the cultural life of our country.
TAKE ME SOMEWHERE A celebratory festival of contemporary performance taking place across Glasgow and building on the legacy of The Arches arts programme. For more information, see page 16. takemesomewhere.co.uk
SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE Enjoy an enormous array of special tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, food and music in honour of Scotland’s national drink. See page 36. spiritofspeyside.com
BORDERS HERITAGE FESTIVAL Walks, talks, theatre and living history to help uncover the rich heritage of the Borders across a number of historic time frames. See page 68. scotborders.gov.uk 4
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2017 THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS
PHOTO: MIKE ANDREWS
DIG IT! 2017
TRADFEST
A grassroots celebration of Scottish archaeology exploring our past through digs, song, art, performance and storytelling. See page 34. digit2017.com
A festival inspired by the traditional arts and culture of Scotland where the seasonal rites of Beltane and May Day are given a contemporary spin. See page 38. tracscotland.org/tradfest PHOTO: CIARAN SINCLAIR
EIFF
PIPING LIVE!
New features, documentaries, retrospectives, shorts, panels and discussions at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. See page 52. edfilmfest.org.uk
A week-long showcase of piping with competitions, performances and informal gigs, culminating in the World Pipe Band Championships. See page 58. pipinglive.co.uk PHOTO: ROS GASSON
DUNDEE LITERARY FESTIVAL
ST ANDREW’S DAY
A celebration of ideas, words and books, with a programme of internationally renowned writers, local names and children’s authors. See page 78. literarydundee.co.uk
Scotland’s patron saint is honoured at the end of November with ceilidhs, parades, concerts and festivals up and down the country. See page 82. visitscotland.com 5
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THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2017
Project Editor: Rowena McIntosh
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Senior Designer: Lucy Munro Designer: Carys Tennant
DATE NAME OF FESTIVAL
Contributors: Kelly Apter, Brian Donaldson, Alex Johnstone, Rowena McIntosh, Rebecca Monks, Henry Northmore, David Pollock, Arusa Qureshi, Murray Robertson, Kirstyn Smith, Louise Stoddart Advertising: Rachel Cree, Sheri Friers, Chris Knox, Brendan Miles, Debbie Thomson
19 JANUARY–5 FEBRUARY
CELTIC CONNECTIONS
CEO: Simon Dessain
MUSIC Various venues, Glasgow, celticconnections.com
Publisher: Robin Hodge This guide was produced in partnership with VisitScotland and Creative Scotland in celebration of the 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.
Published by The List Ltd HEAD OFFICE 14 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TE Tel: 0131 550 3050 www.list.co.uk email festivals@list.co.uk
LOCATION & WEBSITE
GENRE
Glasgow’s annual folk, roots, indie, world and traditional music festival celebrating the links between Celtic music and cultures across the globe. An international cast of 2100 artists descend upon Glasgow, to create over 300 events. These include ceilidhs, workshops, talks, dancing, art exhibitions and free events. The 2017 lineup features Laura Marling, Billy Bragg, Olivia Newton John, Beth Neilson Chapman, Karine Polwart and SAY Award-winner Anna Meredith.
FESTIVAL DESCRIPTION
ISSN: 2054-8036 © 2017 The List Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of The List Ltd. This edition published January 2017 Printed by Acorn Web Offset Ltd.
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DISCLAIMER : The List magazine has made every effort to ensure information published in this guide is correct. Lineups, times and dates can change at short notice, however, so please check with the festival before attending. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors the guide may contain. For up-to-date listings information go to list.co.uk. Festival organisers can get in touch at festivals@list.co.uk.
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THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2017
FESTIVAL CHECKLIST
ILLUSTRATION: SUSIE WRIGHT
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FORTH BRIDGE SCREEN PRINT Susie Wright’s hand pulled creation celebrates Scotland’s iconic rail bridge, which is 127 years young this year. Price: £45 Stockist: susiewright.co.uk
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND
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SCOTTISH HISTORY WITHOUT THE BORING BITS Brush up your historical knowledge with Ian Crofton’s colourful chronology of the nation’s more amusing anecdotes. Price: £12.99 Stockist: birlinn.co.uk
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DINOSAUR CRAYON TUB Get wee ones into archaeology early with these colourful crayons. Just the thing for creating a pink Stegosaurus. Price: £13 Stockist: coloumefun.co.uk
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NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND MEMBERSHIP Explore over 90 properties, including Craigievar Castle (above). Price: £48 adult membership; £84 family membership Stockist: nts.org.uk
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2017 THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS
A handy guide to products that will help you embrace the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology to its fullest 3
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ASSYNT 17 X KESTIN HARE BACKPACK Explore Scotland’s magnificent landscape in style with this limited edition backpack in Cairngorm Mountain print. Price: £195 Stockist: trakke.co.uk
THE HIVE BLENDED SCOTCH MALT A 12 year old blended malt whisky from Wemyss Malts, with a strong emphasis on honeyed, malty Speyside Scotch. Price: £37 Stockist: wemyssmalts.com
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TEAK AND SILVER KILT PIN Look extra dapper in your Highland finery with a truly unique kilt pin from designer Islay Spalding’s Grain and Gilt Series. Price: £225 Stockist: islayspalding.co.uk
VIKING SHIP Viking longships were about 20 metres long but this build-ityourself scale model of a dragon boat will fit nicely on a shelf. Price: £17 Stockist: revell.com
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The beating heart of the greatest festival on Earth Celebrating 70 years of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer
2nd - 28th August 2017
pleasance.co.uk
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DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
26 MAY - 4 JUNE
ARTS 20 17
FESTIVAL
EARLY ANNOUNCEMENTS Karine Polwart - Wind Resistance, Mark Nelson, Scottish Ensemble Mairi Campbell - Pulse, Scottish Opera, Foden’s Band, Donnie Munro, The Tinderbox Orchestra, Alan Bissett
www.dgartsfestival.org.uk
Charity Reg. No. SC000236
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2017 THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS
Festival folk: (clockwise top left): Trevor Noah, Delusion of the Fury and Dolls
THE MAGNIFICENT
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70
017 marks a very special anniversary for Edinburgh: it’s been 70 years since it took its first steps to becoming the world-leading festival city it is today. In 1947, as the nation slowly recovered from the devastation of World War II, the Edinburgh International Festival was inaugurated as a cultural bedrock on which to unite audiences and artists from around the world. It was joined that same year by what have now become the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and
As three of Edinburgh’s festivals celebrate their 70th birthday, Murray Robertson looks at how Edinburgh became the arts capital of the world
the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and this original trio of arts festivals continue to dazzle audiences to this day. In its founding year, the Edinburgh International Festival – as part of its mission to ‘provide a platform for the flowering of the human spirit’ – reunited the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with revered conductor Bruno Walter after he had fled Austria following Nazi occupation. From an initial focus on classical music, the
festival has grown to include theatre, opera and dance, and over the past seven decades the EIF has nurtured longstanding relationships with some of the biggest names in the arts: Maria Callas, Yehudi Menuhin, Benjamin Britten, Judi Dench, Rudolph Nureyev, Placido Domingo and Alan Rickman are among those who have been drawn to the city. The EIF’s early success gave Edinburgh new cache as a cultural centre, and ignited the city’s annual festive 13
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season. Several more ore Withnail & I festivals have thrived in bly its trail: most notably val the Edinburgh Festival ht Fringe. When eight ed theatre groups turned m up uninvited to perform F, at the very first EIF, et the performers set about staging their ownn ’, ‘Fringe of the Festival’, unperturbed by a lackk of official performancee spaces. This practicee continued every year,, and in 1958 the Festivall Fringe Society wass established to corral this rapidly expanding phenomenon. Today, ‘Edinburgh’ and ‘the Fringe’ are practically synonymous. Now the world’s largest arts festival, the city is transformed for three weeks run back in 2013 when he was every August as comedians, still relatively unknown. actors, writers and street artists Completing the trio of jostle for attnetion along the festivals that pioneered world-famous Royal Mile. Edinburgh’s reputation is the Just last year, there were over Edinburgh International Film 50,000 performances of 3269 Festival. It also began its life shows across 300 venues. in 1947, as the International The Fringe has become Festival of Documentary particularly well-known as a Films, and is now the world’s springboard for burgeoning oldest continually running talent with some of the biggest film festival. names in entertainment An enormously influential having made their names at showcase for UK and the festival. Famously, Emma international cinema, EIFF Thompson, Hugh Laurie and history is peppered with Stephen Fry won the first ever premieres of modern cinema Perrier Award in 1981 with classics: among them, the Cambridge Footlights; Blade Runner, ET: The later on, Mike Myers (Wayne’s Extraterrestrial and Withnail World, Shrek) and Harry Hill and I. cut their teeth at the Fringe, Many of the UK’s brightest while The Daily Show’s cinematic talents have been Trevor Noah had a popular championed here. Bill 14
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Forsyth’s first feature, That Sinking Feeling, had its world premiere in 1979, a year before the release of Gregory’s Girl. In 1985, Stephen Frears’ O Oscar-nominated My B Beautiful Laundrette w shown; originally was m made for TV, its EIFF s success was influential in giving it a cinematic re release. And in 1994, E Edinburgh held the w world premiere of D Danny Boyle’s debut fi film, Shallow Grave. It featured a young Ew Ewan McGregor, and the two went to work on Trainspotting soon aft after. T The EIFF also pio pioneered the cinematic retrospective, a feature that has become standard practice at film festivals across the world. In 1972, it hosted the Women’s Film Festival, exclusively featuring female directors. And in 1973, Lynda Myles became the world’s first female film festival director. As a marker of the festival’s distinctive impact on the people of Edinburgh, the EIFF has launched the EdFilmFest Memories Project. This initiative will gather memories and photographs from the public to create a ‘people’s history of the festival’. Not only will it enhance the film festival’s fascinating archives, but it’s a truly fitting way to celebrate 70 years of Edinburgh being the world’s premier festival city. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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St Andrews 1-5 March
Themes: On the Road & The Heights of Poetry
Vahni Capildeo Sarah Howe John Agard Kathleen Jamie Alice Oswald Jackie Kay 60+ poets ̶ 100+ events
poetry drama music talks art discussions workshops www.stanzapoetry.org
Image: David Vallis Photography
Anna is racing to beat Parkinson’s
Join her
Edinburgh Marathon Festival 27-28 May 2017 We’re racing to find a cure and you can help us get to the finish line faster. Together, we can beat Parkinson’s. parkinsons.org.uk/emf17
020 7963 3914
Registered charity in England and Wales (258197) and Scotland (SC037554). © Parkinson’s UK 11/16 (CS2511)
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THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2017
PHOTO: TITANNE BREGENTZER
El Conde de Torrefiel
TAKE THAT
Festival Director Jackie Wylie tells David Pollock about Take Me Somewhere, a new Glasgow festival that aims to keep The Arches’ spirit alive.
W
hen The Arches was closed due to licensing issues in early 2015, many rightly lamented the loss to Glasgow’s music scene. However a number of post mortems failed to take into account the venue’s valuable contributions to Scotland’s wider cultural heritage. In fact, it was one of the most important locations in Scotland for groundbreaking new performance work, while events such as Arches Live, Behaviour and the Brick Award had become vital ways for new talent to be seen in this country. Now, nearly two years on from The Arches’ closure, its former artistic director Jackie Wylie has returned to helm Take Me Somewhere, a new festival aimed at carrying on much of the venue’s good work. Based at Tramway but taking place in venues across Glasgow, the festival will present three and a half weeks of work in ‘the spirit of The Arches,’ says Wylie. ‘We’ve been trying to make a “best of”, which is a shorthand way of saying the essential and unique elements of The Arches programme, and then manifest them in different ways in different venues across the city.’
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On certain nights during the festival there will be single shows or double and triple bills at venues in close proximity to one another, creating a mini-festival feel. Highlights will include a strand at Platform combining performance and music; an award for performance makers in conjunction with the Citizens Theatre, which asks for radical reinterpretations of classic texts; a new piece of work created with the Imaginate festival; the Adrian Howells Award for one-on-one performance, named after the late theatre-maker; and a weekend of queer and radical work at the Glue Factory. Regardless of the success of this first Take Me Somewhere, Wylie will be leaving shortly after to take up her new post as the National Theatre of Scotland’s artistic director. ‘There’s an amazing team in place at Take Me Somewhere, combining the producing and design expertise from The Arches,’ she says. ‘I’d hope that they continue to make it happen after I leave.’ Take Me Somewhere, various venues, Glasgow, 22 Feb–12 Mar, takemesomewhere.co.uk LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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Don’t Miss Three Fantastic Festivals By The Seaside in 2017. Great Fun For All The Family!
27-28
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THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2017
Isle of Skye band Niteworks are forging a powerful identity with their music. Kirstyn Smith hears how they merge the past with the present
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iteworks’ sound crosses genres and boundaries, melding Gaelic vocals with electronica and dance music. Add all this to their explosive live shows and you’ve got a band that truly encapsulates what it means to be Scottish: imaginative, versatile, cultural and exciting. ‘Folk, trad, Scottish and Gaelic music is a conduit to explore the culture of the area,’ says Ruairidh Graham, drummer with the Isle of Skye band. ‘The more people are aware of music that has a distinct sense of place, the more they’re aware of the cultural differences and nuances that make Scotland unique. It offers an identity that is pretty healthy for young people to have, especially in a very globalised and homogenised world.’ While traditions that form
the core of their musical roots come from a national perspective, Graham maintains that traditional music is far from isolated or exclusive. ‘These days, it’s tied up with influences from all over the world. We are seeing really creative amalgamations with other cultures and histories that form some pretty exciting mixes. I’m not knocking popular music when I say this, but it’s important to have music that encapsulates something of where a country and its communities have come from.’ The move to mix trad with electronica is something Niteworks embraced early on, citing Wolfstone as an influence when the four founding members started out about eight years ago. ‘It wasn’t until one of us went ahead and bought a synth and a couple of
GAEL FO 18
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us began DJing that we started introducing some electronic influences and samples,’ says Graham. ‘Then we moved to Glasgow and got taken in by the clubbing scene down there. It was never a decision that we wanted to start playing electronic stuff, it sort of just happened as a natural thing.’ The influence of the Scottish club scene on Niteworks’ music is a potential way in for music lovers who aren’t particularly au fait with trad. ‘On the reverse side of that, for people who are really into trad, I hope they see that electronic music is pretty cool as well,’ says Graham. ‘There are pros and cons to straddling two forms of music. The con is that it is pretty difficult to find professional representation. But on the other hand, ironically enough, you have a bit of a USP, either to
the trad world for mixing stuff with electronic music, or to the electronic music world that have never heard Gaelic song or the pipes being played with dance music.’ And, of course, one way of getting new ears interested in music is for more trad bands to appear at festivals throughout the year. ‘We try as best as we can to play as many festivals as we can get to. We aren’t a full-time band as we all have to work, so it can be a logistical challenge to get together and play. Festivals of all sizes can be fun, but I generally prefer small to medium-sized events. They tend to have the best craic.’ Find out more about traditional music festivals at visitscotland.com/tradmusic-festivals
TRAD MUSIC FESTIVALS 2017 CELTIC CONNECTIONS 19 Jan–5 Feb, Glasgow, see page 26 TRADFEST 26 Apr–7 May, Edinburgh, see page 38 SHETLAND FOLK FESTIVAL 27–30 Apr, Shetland, see page 39 ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL 25–28 May, Orkney, see page 44 KNOCKENGORROCH WORLD CEILIDH 25–28 May, Dalmellington, see page 44 OBAN LIVE 2 & 3 Jun, Oban, see page 48 KEITH MUSIC FESTIVAL 9–11 Jun, Keith, see page 51 FEIS AN EILEIN 4 Jul–25 Aug, Skye, see page 56 STONEHAVEN FOLK FESTIVAL 6–9 Jul, Stonehaven, see page 56 TIREE MUSIC FESTIVAL 14–16 Jul, Tiree, see page 58 HEBCELT 19–22 Jul, Lewis, see page 59 BUTEFEST 28–30 Jul, Isle of Bute, see page 59 BELLADRUM 3–5 Aug, Inverness, see page 61
ORCE
PIPING LIVE! 7–13 Aug, Glasgow, see page 64 BEST OF THE WEST 9 & 10 Sep, Inveraray, see page 70 CEOL CHOLASA 11–17 Sep, Colonsay, see page 71 SKYE LIVE 22 & 23 Sep, Skye, see page 74 JURA MUSIC FESTIVAL Sep, see page 76 BLAS FESTIVAL Sep, Highlands, see page 76
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THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2017
BUILD IT UP
This is the year when Scotland’s buildings will be celebrated and reinvigorated. Rowena McIntosh takes a look at festivals which seek to honour our proud heritage n the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, many festivals are utilising Scotland’s abundant built heritage, with events taking place outside traditional spaces in order to showcase our buildings and landmarks in new and imaginative ways. Edinburgh’s New Town is one of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and this winter it becomes the focus of an innovative light installation as Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows (23 Feb–26 Mar) celebrates the area’s 250th anniversary. Six buildings with a rich history are lit to complement their architectural features, with facts and stories brought to life on their frontage using light, colour and text. In St Andrew Square, a lumière piece tells the story of the people who lived there in Georgian times. On World Heritage Day (18 Apr), Dig It! festival presents Scotland in Six, a celebration of our iconic World Heritage Sites. Events kick off early that day in Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town, where competing medieval and classical music floods the city courtesy of wandering minstrels and a Battle of the Bands. Over in the Western Isles, participants explore the archipelago of St Kilda using Minecraft while New Lanark is subject to a yarn bombing. 20
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PHOTO: CHRIS SCOTT
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The Forth Bridge celebrations feature three pop-up festivals from the 1890s and Picts chase Romans at the Antonine Wall in a 5k race, followed by a Great Roman Bake Off. After the sun sets, there’s a glowin-the-dark evening of storytelling, food and music at the heart of Neolithic Orkney. It’s not just established sites that are the focus of festivals. Hidden Door (28 May–4 Jun) is an annual showcase of the grassroots arts scene in Edinburgh and seeks to Hidden Door breathe new life into (above) and illumination abandoned spaces. Previous editions of the festival have taken place in Market Street’s vaults and the Old Street Lighting Depot, with this year’s event taking place at the old Leith Theatre. This derelict art deco space has been standing empty and falling into disrepair for 28 years. Expect dozens of cool musicians, bands, artists, poets, and filmmakers to fill the 25-plus spaces. Returning for a second year in 2017 is illumination: Harbour Festival of Light (Nov). The festival celebrates both the natural and built heritage of Irvine’s historic waterfront, with the 2016 event featuring illumination trails, a lantern parade and a light show with aerial acrobatics in and around the 150 year-old Linthouse at the Scottish Maritime Museum. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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As Paisley gets ready to bid for the UK City of Culture 2021 title, we have our most-packed events programme in 2017. Enjoy a variety of events celebrating our fantastic culture and heritage. April 2017
September 2017
Paisley Beer Festival (19-22 April) and Food Festival (22 April) May 2017
June 2017 Scottish Album of the Year Awards (28 June) July 2017 Paisley’s International Festival of Weaving and Sma’ Shot celebration (1 July) Paisley Pipe Band Competition (22 July)
Paisley Make (28 August 3 September)
Renfrewshire Doors Open Days (2-3 September)
British Pipe Band Championship
October 2017
British Pipe Band Championships (20 May)
August 2017
Food Festival
The Spree Festival (13-21 October)
Sma’ Shot
Paisley Halloween Festival (27-28th October) November 2017 Paisley Fireworks Spectacular (4 November)
Paisley Make
Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On (11 November) December 2017
Halloween
Scottish Trad Music Awards (2 December) Fireworks
Visit paisley2021.co.uk for more details
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CULTURE | HIGHLIGHT EVENTS 2017
Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival 2016. Long Player by Axel Antas © Patrick Rafferty.
SCOTLAND THE PERFECT STAGE When it comes to breathtaking landscapes, state-of-the-art facilities and passionate crowds, Scotland’s cultural and sporting events are second to none. From orienteering to mountain biking, stand-up comedy to traditional live music and golf to badminton, there is a wide-variety of exciting events taking place throughout the year, with something for everyone. The following provides a snap-shot of some EventScotland-funded events coming up across Scotland for 2017.
Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival 2–5 Mar Hawick, Scottish Borders Alchemy is Scotland’s only festival dedicated to experimental film and artists’ moving image. This prestigious four-day event showcases artistic projects and filmmaking from around the world, from feature premieres to experimental shorts, video installations, and live performances. alchemyfilmfestival. org.uk
Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival 9–26 Mar This year’s comedy festival will once again feature an impressive lineup of internationally renowned names and home-grown talent. With 470 shows in 50 venues across the city, there is something to suit everyone. glasgowcomedyfestival. com The European Pipe Band Championships ‘Piping at Forres’ 24 Jun
Moray, Speyside Thousands of pipers and drummers from across the globe descend on the stunning Grant Park for Piping At Forres, the European Pipe Band Championships 2017 with drum majors and Highland dancers also competing. pipingatforres.com Edinburgh Art Festival 27 Jul–27 Aug Scotland’s leading visual arts festival returns this summer, presenting work from over 250 artists in more than 40 exhibitions across Edinburgh’s finest
galleries, museums and artist-run spaces. The festival’s innovative programme also includes live music, screenings and guided tours. edinburghartfestival.com Royal National Mòd 13–21 Oct Lochaber Scotland’s number one Gaelic event, the Royal National Mòd brings together a unique feast of literature, history, music, and art as part of its vision to promote Gaelic language and culture around the world. ancomunn.co.uk
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HIGHLIGHT EVENTS 2017 | SPORT
European Rugby Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup 12 & 13 May BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh Featuring the cream of European professional club rugby, this is the very best that northern hemisphere rugby has to offer and will showcase its brightest stars on one of the world’s most famous rugby stages! scottishrugby.org The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 3 & 4 Jun
Fort William Renowned as the finest spectator experience for mountain bike enthusiasts worldwide, this high-octane, elite competition in its beautiful Highland setting has become a highlight of Scotland’s sporting calendar. fortwilliamworldcup. co.uk IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh 2 Jul Edinburgh & Lothians IRONMAN 70.3 comes to Scotland for the first time ever and is sure to
be an incredible athlete and spectator experience. Two thousand athletes are expected to compete in this swim, cycle and run across Edinburgh and the Lothians. ironman.com/ edinburgh70.3 Scottish 6 Days Orienteering 30 Jul–5 Aug Royal Deeside Returning to the majestic surroundings of Royal Deeside, this multi-day event will see orienteers compete on the region’s diverse terrain from pine forests to open moorland. Spectators and participants can also enjoy a range of postrace social activities. scottish6days.com/2017 TOTAL BWF World Championships 21–27 Aug Emirates Arena, Glasgow The prestigious 2017 Badminton World Championships is coming to Glasgow. The Championships will see approximately 350 of the world’s top players, competing for the title of World Champion. Showcasing only the top-ranked singles and doubles players, the TOTAL BWF World Championships will welcome multiple Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth champions to Glasgow
and the knock-out tournament format will require players to deliver nail-biting performances from the very first match. glasgow2017.com Great Scottish Swim 26 Aug Loch Lomond Scotland’s premier open water event is back this year. Once again, keen swimmers will take to the waters of Loch Lomond, an iconic setting that will later host the open water swimming in the Glasgow 2018 European Championships. greatrun.org/greatswim/great-scottishswim Blair Castle International Horse Trials 24–27 Aug Scotland’s leading equestrian event regularly attracts more than 40,000 visitors. Olympic medalists compete alongside amateurs in the four international event classes, while British showjumping and showing classes provide a platform for riders in other disciplines to compete on Blair’s hallowed turf. The Bruadar Country Fair runs alongside the equestrian activities on the Saturday and Sunday, featuring a number of displays and opportunities to grab a bargain. blairhorsetrials.co.uk
These events are supported through EventScotland Funding Programmes. EventScotland.org @EventScotNews #perfectstage
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GOLF STARS FLOCK TO SCOTLAND Scotland is the Home of Golf and as such, boasts a glittering array of annual golf events taking place on its famous fairways. 2017 is no different with no fewer than seven topclass professional events taking place across the country, visiting some of Scotland’s most renowned golf courses. As well as ensuring that inspirational images of Scotland are broadcast to hundreds of millions of homes throughout the world, these events also provide the opportunity for Scotland’s knowledgeable golf fans to get out and see some of the best golfers in the world up close, as well as supporting some of the sport’s up and coming players. From Ayrshire to the Highlands and from east coast to west coast, there will be a golf event near you in 2017. For more information see visitscotland.com
SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge, hosted by Macdonald Hotels & Resorts 22–25 Jun Spey Valley GC The next generation of European Tour stars battle it out for glory in the fantastic setting of Spey Valley GC in the Scottish
Highlands. Recent winners in Aviemore include the likes of Brooks Koepka and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston who have since progressed from the Challenge Tour to contending in the game’s biggest events. europeantour.com/ challengetour
A Aberdeen Asset M Management Scottish O Open 12–16 Jul 1 D Dundonald Links, North A Ayrshire A Another strong line-up is expected as one of th the biggest events on th the European Tour visits D Dundonald Links in A Ayrshire for the first time. P Previous winners include P Phil Mickelson, Justin R Rose and Rickie Fowler. TThe event also has a real fa family feel thanks to a an interactive spectator vvillage with plenty to see a and do for both golfers a and non-golfers. aamscottishopen.com Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open 27–30 Jul Dundonald Links, North Ayrshire For the first time in its history, the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will take place over the same venue as the men’s, meaning a world-class double-header of golf at Dundonald Links. Preceding the Ricoh Women’s British Open, the Ladies Scottish Open is sure to attract a strong crowd as the world’s leading players prepare with an authentic Scottish links challenge and set a marker for the 2019 Solheim Cup in Scotland. ladiesscottishopen.com Ricoh Women’s British Open 3–6 Aug Kingsbarns Golf Links, Fife One of five Major’s in the women’s game and the
only one to take place in the UK, the Ricoh Women’s British Open makes its debut at the renowned Kingsbarns Golf Links in Fife, which also hosts a Major for the first time. As one of Scotland’s most picturesque golf courses, this will provide a stunning location for the world’s best players. It’s likely to include the likes of Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson as well as Catriona Matthew. ricohwomensbritish open.com Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Seniors Open Aug TBC East Lothian A date and venue is still to be confirmed for the European Seniors Tour’s longest-running event. The event operates a successful Pro-Am format where the legends of the game, including former Ryder Cup players and Major champions, compete alongside amateur golfers. europeantour.com/ seniortour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 5–8 Oct Various An event where showbusiness meets golf with A-list actors, musicians, sports stars and celebrities playing alongside European Tour stars at St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie. This is an autograph hunter’s dream, while the list of golfing stars also impresses with a field including Ryder Cup players and Major champions. alfreddunhilllinks.com
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THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2017
JANUARY 5–21 JANUARY
performances and workshops for all ages centred around his life and work.
KING TUT’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION
24–26 JANUARY
MUSIC King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, 272a St Vincent Street, Glasgow, kingtuts.co.uk
King Tut’s New Year’s Revolution starts 2017 with a lineup of acts making waves in the Scottish music scene. Headlines include Civic Pride, the Van T’s, Sergeant, Divides and the Dead Settlers.
INTO THE NEW 2017 ART / THEATRE & DANCE Pearce Institute, 840 Govan Road, Glasgow, pearceinstitute. org.uk
Festival of performance from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland students. 25–29 JANUARY
ALLOWAY 1759 19 JANUARY–5 FEBRUARY
CELTIC CONNECTIONS FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Glasgow, celticconnections.com
Glasgow’s annual folk, roots, indie, world and traditional music festival celebrating the links between Celtic music and cultures across the globe. An international cast of 2100 artists descend upon Glasgow to create over 300 events. These include ceilidhs, workshops, talks, dancing, art exhibitions and free events. See Spotlight On, page 27. 20–29 JANUARY
BIG BURNS SUPPER FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Dumfries & Galloway, bigburnssupper.com
Stars from across the country congregate as Dumfries celebrates the birth of the Bard with a vast selection of dance, theatre, visual arts, live art and comedy, turning Burns Night into a festival of contemporary arts. 22 JANUARY
BURNS UNBOUND FAMILY / LITERATURE National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, nms.ac.uk
A mini-festival in honour of Burns Night and the Bard himself, with 26
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HERITAGE Various venues, Alloway, alloway1759.com
A unique commemoration of the birth and life of Robert Burns which sees the village of Alloway, birthplace of Scotland’s national Bard, transformed back to the time of Burns’ birth. 27 JANUARY–5 FEBRUARY
MANIPULATE VISUAL THEATRE FESTIVAL FAMILY / FILM & TV / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Edinburgh, manipulatefestival.org
Puppet Animation Scotland collates a collection of worldclass animation, puppetry and related performing arts of all styles and techniques, and also provides learning opportunities through its masterclasses. 27 JANUARY–11 MARCH
BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR FILM & TV Various venues, Scotland, banff-uk.com
A collection of the latest and best films from the prestigious mountain film festival covering all manner of sport and adventure. There are two programmes to choose from with screenings in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Pitlochry and Inverness.
28 JANUARY
THE NATIONAL WHISKY FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK SWG3, Studio Warehouse, 100 Eastvale Place, Glasgow, nationalwhiskyfestival.scot
A chance to try a selection of fine whiskies from over 30 tasting stands. Some of the best drams from around the world are on offer and local restaurants are also providing dishes to complement the different whiskies. Part of Celtic Connections. 28 JANUARY
FIFE FOOD FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews, fifefoodfest.wixsite. com/fifefoodfestival
Fife’s natural larder is on show at this annual festival in the heart of St Andrews which invites all foodies to enjoy the best local produce. There’s also a luxury raffle, the chance to meet Scottish food entrepreneurs and activities for all. YEAR ROUND
DIG IT! 2017 FAMILY / HERITAGE Various venues, Scotland, digit2017.com
A celebration of Scottish archaeology, co-ordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Archaeology Scotland. The year-long programme of events explores our past through song, art, performance, digs, festivals and storytelling. 30 JANUARY–10 FEBRUARY
FIFE FESTIVAL OF MUSIC MUSIC Various venues, Fife, ffom.org. uk
Performers at this community festival range from primary school children to adults, in both vocal and instrumental classes, LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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competitive and non-competitive. Performances are open to anyone to come along and watch. 31 JANUARY
UP HELLY AA FAMILY / HERITAGE Various venues, Shetland, uphellyaa.org
Shetland shows off its Viking history with a spectacular fire festival, the highlight of which is the torchlight procession of up to 1000 colourfully dressed guisers following a Viking galley through the town before setting it alight.
FEBRUARY 2–6 FEBRUARY
FOOD ON FILM FAMILY / FILM & TV / FOOD & DRINK Various venues, Kingussie, kingussiefoodonfilm.co.uk
The culinary meets the audiovisual in this interdisciplinary festival that seeks to titillate eyes and tastebuds alike with a menu of foodie films and film-worthy food. 3 FEBRUARY–4 MARCH
FEBRUARYFEST FOOD & DRINK Clachaig Inn, Clachaig Old Road, Glencoe, glencoescotland.com
Running for more than 20 years, FebruaryFest brings a whole month of the best beer Scotland’s brewers have to offer to thirsty drinkers. The programme also boasts live music, quiz nights, along with beer’s best pal – whisky. 4–5 FEBRUARY
EDINBURGH MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV George Square Lecture Theatre, George Square, Edinburgh, emff.co.uk
The majesty of mountains is
captured on film in a series of screenings, lectures and exhibitions. Focusing on adventure of all kinds, climbing, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking and exploration are among some of the adrenalinepumping activities represented. 3–12 FEBRUARY
FIFE JAZZ FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Fife, fifejazzfestival.com
Fife Jazz Festival covers all the bases: from traditional to avant-garde, from international productions to homespun community events, from the biggest names in jazz to newcomers. The festival takes place throughout Fife, with major concerts in Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and St Andrews. 9 FEBRUARY–3 MARCH
EDINBURGH STUDENT ARTS FESTIVAL ART / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghstudentartsfestival. com
A student-run festival celebrating and showcasing art of all kinds from Edinburgh’s educational institutes. 9–19 FEBRUARY
EDINBURGH IRANIAN FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Edinburgh, ediranfest.co.uk
A non-political showcase of Iranian culture that features contemporary talent and celebrates the country’s rich traditional heritage. The 2017 festival focuses particularly on Iranian cinema, food, promoting tourism and Iranian classical music.
SPOTLIGHT ON . . . CELTIC CONNECTIONS The biggest annual winter music festival of its ilk, Celtic Connections once again platforms the finest in folk, roots, world, traditional and Celtic sounds. Across 18 days, over 2000 musicians and singers will be performing in 20 venues, while there are also talks, ceilidhs, art exhibitions and workshops. Among the Scottish highlights are Johnny Lynch’s Pictish Trail, Roddy Hart with his Lonesome Fire, and 2014’s Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Robyn Stapleton. Proving its global appeal, the festival welcomes Senegal’s Orchestra Baobab, Mexrrissey (Mexican devotees of the Smiths’ frontman) and Arizona’s indie country-blues stars Calexico. If it’s household names you’re after, then they don’t come much bigger than Olivia Newton-John who appears with Beth Nielsen Chapman and Amy Sky. Little wonder The Guardian acclaimed Celtic Connections as the ‘one thing that makes wintertime in Glasgow great’. (Brian Donaldson) ■ Various venues, Glasgow, 19 January–5 February, celticconnections.com 27
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9–12 FEBRUARY
SPECTRA: ABERDEEN’S FESTIVAL OF LIGHT ART / FAMILY Various venues, Aberdeen, spectraaberdeen.com
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
PHOTO: LISA EVANS
HIPPODROME SILENT FILM FESTIVAL As well as being one of Scotland’s oldest purposebuilt cinemas, the Hippodrome in Bo’ness is also home to the country’s only silent film festival. It’s a celebration of music as well as film and, although the films themselves lack sound, a carefully curated selection of performers provide live musical accompaniment to the on-screen images. One of 2016’s highlights was Polish supergroup Czerwie bringing to life an almost centuryold film that had long been thought lost. With the 2016 event selling over 2000 tickets, the festival enters its seventh year in fine fettle. On top of a packed programme of screenings, there’s a diverse roster of activities exploring the world of silent cinema, including panel discussions, workshops and special events focused on helping young people discover the joys of old films. In recent years, its Community Tour has taken highlights from the festival’s programme to communities around the country. (Murray Robertson) ■ Hippodrome Cinema, Bo’ness, 22–26 March, hippfest.co.uk 28
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Aberdeen’s festival of light celebrates the Scottish Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology and explores Aberdeen’s past through this year’s theme ‘A New Light’. The four-day festival features major public realm and gallery installations as well as new experimental works. 10 & 11 FEBRUARY
BANCHORY BEER FESTIVAL: BEER @ THE BARN FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Woodend Barn Arts Centre, Burn O’Bennie, Banchory, banchorybeerfestival.com
A weekend festival serving cider, gin, prosecco, Banchory’s local rum and, of course, beer. There’s also live music and street food to enjoy. 10–19 FEBRUARY
WINTER WORDS FESTIVAL LITERATURE Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port Na Craig, Pitlochry, pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
The annual Winter Words Festival welcomes Banff Mountain Film Festival, documentary filmmaker Paul Diffley and TV journalists Jonathan Dimbleby and John Simpson.
one of the UK’s most remote environments during the depths of winter. The programme encompasses experimental film and video art, installation, performance, visual arts and architecture. The theme for 2017 is based on the film HÄXAN: Witchcraft through the Ages. 11 FEBRUARY
MAR LODGE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Mar Lodge Estate, Estate Office, Braemar, nts.org.uk/ Property/Mar-Lodge-Estate
Film festival featuring six films showcasing mountain landscapes and extreme ascents. Featuring The Last Great Climb, North of the Sun and Summits of My Life. 15–26 FEBRUARY
GLASGOW YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowfilm.org
Innovative festival for young audiences featuring premieres, screenings, events and special guest speakers. 15–19 FEBRUARY
FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL FILM & TV / OUTDOOR Various venues, Fort William, mountainfestival.co.uk
A series of films and lectures celebrating the great outdoors and mountain culture, held in Scotland’s outdoor capital, and spread over five nights.
10–17 FEBRUARY
PAPAY GYRO NIGHTS ART Papa Westray, Orkney, papaygyronights.papawestray. org
A unique festival of contemporary visual and performance art taking place in
For up to date information on the latest details of festivals across Scotland check out list.co.uk LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2017
15–26 FEBRUARY
GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowfilm.org/glasgow-filmfestival
Since 2005, Scotland’s fastest-growing film festival has become a force to be reckoned with in the film festival world. As well as screenings of international film premieres, art house experimentation and cult gems, there are filmmaker appearances, discussion panels and interactive workshops. 18 & 19 FEBRUARY
BANKFOOT INN WINTER BEER FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK The Bankfoot Inn, Main Street, Bankfoot, bankfootinn.co.uk
Mini winter celebration of beer from across the country.
GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL
22 FEBRUARY–12 MARCH
Having launched in 2005, the Glasgow Film Festival has grown and grown: during that debut year, 6000 cinephiles passed through the doors, while 42,000 attended in 2016. Of course there are top-notch premieres, retrospectives and special guests (past visitors have included Richard Gere, Joss Whedon and Alan Rickman) but the GFF goes beyond cinema. Taking attendees out of the multiplex and bringing movies to life, the festival has sought to make cinema a truly immersive sensory experience. There have been screenings of Jaws on a boat, The Man Who Fell to Earth in a planetarium and, last year, in perhaps their most audacious stunt yet, avid Nicolas Cage fans were picked up, dressed in prison-issue orange jumpsuits and whisked away to a secret location to watch Con Air on an aeroplane. There’s always an excellent music and clubs programme with a filmy theme: horror soundtrackers Goblin made their Scottish debut at GFF, 65daysofstatic provided a live score to Silent Running and Tron was transformed into a club night. The Glasgow Film Festival is also home to the Margaret Tait Award, supporting experimental and innovative artists working with film and moving image, and runs alongside the Glasgow Youth Film Festival and Industry Focus, which brings together filmmakers, producers, financiers and distributors. And don’t forget the two-day horror marathon FrightFest, an absolute must for any gore hound. If you love film, the GFF has it covered, and then some. (Henry Northmore) ■ Various venues, Glasgow, 15–26 February, glasgowfilm.org/ glasgow-film-festival
THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Glasgow, takemesomewhere.co.uk
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TAKE ME SOMEWHERE
A celebratory festival of contemporary performance, taking place across Glasgow, and building on the legacy of The Arches’ arts programme. The festival features events created through a programme of artistic development opportunities as well as inspirational work from beyond Scotland. 23 FEBRUARY–26 MARCH
EDINBURGH’S GEORGIAN SHADOWS ART / HERITAGE Edinburgh City Centre, Edinburgh, edinburgh.org
Six buildings in Edinburgh’s New Town, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, are brought to life using inventive lighting. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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24 & 25 FEBRUARY
28 FEBRUARY–16 APRIL
3–5 MARCH
GROOVE CAIRNGORM
LENTFEST
WEE DUB FESTIVAL
MUSIC Cairngorms National Park, Cairngorms, groovecairngorm. co.uk
MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Glasgow, lentfest.co.uk
MUSIC Various venues, Edinburgh, weedubfestival.co.uk
A community festival run by AGAP (the Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project) since 2007, to encourage reflection on faith ideas through the creative and performing arts.
Scotland’s only festival dedicated to dub and reggae music in all its forms. Taking place across various venues in Edinburgh’s Old Town on one weekend, it offers a diverse and enjoyable weekend of gigs, clubs, workshops, food and more. The lineup for 2017 includes Mad Professor, Macka B, Ragga Twins, Rob RSD, Mungo’s Hi-Fi & Sn Wilson, Illbilly Hitech, Radikal Guru & Echo Ranks, and Sinai Sound.
A spin-off event from Groove Loch Ness, taking club sounds up a mountain for a mix of snowsports, music and DJs. The lineup includes Blonde, the 2 Bears, Basement Jaxx (DJ set) and Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club.
MARCH
25 FEBRUARY–8 MARCH
1–5 MARCH
INVERNESS MUSIC FESTIVAL
STANZA: SCOTLAND’S POETRY FESTIVAL
MUSIC Various venues, Inverness, invernessmusicfestival.org
Run by Inverness Festival Association, 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, with over 75 awards to be won. Competitions are open to the public.
FAMILY / LITERATURE Various venues, St Andrews, stanzapoetry.org
StAnza is the leading literary festival that focuses on poetry and verse. A host of international wordsmiths join the locals for readings, performances, slams and open mics, as well as music, films, workshops and poetryrelated art exhibitions.
25 FEBRUARY
2–5 MARCH
NORTH HOP
ULLAPOOL DANCE FESTIVAL
FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC MacDonald Aviemore Resort, Aviemore, northhop.co.uk
A beer and food festival with an impressive selection of craft beer, cider, gin, cocktails, street food, sweet treats and live music. North Hop makes stops at various locations across the country including Aberdeen (14 & 15 April), Glasgow (16 & 17 June) and Edinburgh (dates tbc). 27 FEBRUARY–4 MARCH
WEE WRITE! FAMILY / LITERATURE Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow, ayewrite.com
A week-long programme offering over 100 author events, activities and readings for children, families and school pupils of all ages.
FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Ullapool, ullapooldancefestival.org
Dance festival with classes for all ages and abilities.
3–5 MARCH
BRAEMAR MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL FILM & TV / OUTDOORS Various venues, Braemar, braemarmountainfestival.com
A new festival for 2017, the Braemar Mountain Festival is a celebration of the mountains in winter and includes workshops on ski touring and telemarking, winter skills and avalanche awareness, low level walking and fell running. In addition, there are photography and art exhibitions, talks, films, music and food. 4 MARCH
2–5 MARCH
ALCHEMY FILM AND MOVING IMAGE FESTIVAL ART / FILM & TV Tower Mill, Heart of Hawick, Kirkstile, Hawick, alchemyfilmfestival.org.uk
Annual film festival with a focus on high quality artistic projects and experimental short film from around the world, mixing this with thematically related feature length screenings and a sprinkling of cinematic magic.
HINA MATSURI JAPANESE SPRING FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Kibble Palace, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow, japanese-matsuri-glasgow. org.uk
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4–18 MARCH
PERFORM IN PERTH MUSIC Various venues, Perth, perthshire-music-festival.org.uk
Competitors from all over Perthshire show off their talents in the fields of music, dance and speech at various venues in Perth. 4–26 MARCH
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MIDDLE EASTERN SPIRITUALITY AND PEACE MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Edinburgh, mesp.org.uk
This international festival draws people together from a wide range of spiritual backgrounds, cultures, traditions and communities to celebrate peace and mutual understanding. Events include workshops in storytelling, movement and meditation as well as their annual mindful peace walk. 4–13 MARCH
WOMEN IN SCIENCE FESTIVAL FAMILY / SCIENCE Various venues, Dundee, dundee. ac.uk
A celebration of all the women working in science, as well as events that help women to explore the field. 6–11 MARCH
GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Stranraer & Newton Stewart, gallowaymusicfestival.org.uk
Competitive music festival for amateur musicians of all ages. The syllabus covers a wide range of categories including piano, brass, woodwind, recorder, strings, ensemble, vocal, choral, jazz, recital, composition, speech and Scottish traditional, with members of the public welcome to attend all 32
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competitions and a festival concert on the final day. 9–19 MARCH
AYE WRITE! GLASGOW’S BOOK FESTIVAL LITERATURE Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow, ayewrite.com
Located in the iconic Mitchell Library, Aye Write! remains committed to celebrating Scottish and international writers and writing, welcoming authors of fiction, biography, graphic novels and more for a variety of discussions, panels and workshops. 9–26 MARCH
GLASGOW LIVE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL COMEDY / FAMILY Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowcomedyfestival.com
Glasgow’s comedy festival birls back into your life, getting ever more impressive with each outing. This year, you’re looking at a lineup of Bridget Christie, Janey Godley, Richard Herring, Jimmy Carr and Susan Calman, among many other delights. 10 & 11 MARCH
EDINBURGH YARN FESTIVAL HERITAGE Corn Exchange, 11 New Market Road, Edinburgh, edinyarnfest. com
A festival aimed at ‘yarnenthusiasts of all flavours’, this woolly bonanza caters for all who knit, crochet, embroider, spin, haberdash or just appreciate a darn good yarn. 10–12 MARCH
SOUND THOUGHT ART / MUSIC CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, soundthought.co.uk
Postgraduate students from Glasgow Uni take the reins at
this music festival that blends performances with academic inquiry. Sound Thought 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the festival and this year’s chosen theme is ‘Labora[R]tio: Collaborate, Articulate, Integrate’. 10–19 MARCH
SYN FESTIVAL EDINBURGH MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Edinburgh, synfestivaledinburgh.co.uk
Multi-arts festival organised by the Hellenic Society at University of Edinburgh featuring a variety of visual and performing arts, including photography, art installations, painting, theatre, short films, live music, dance and mapping projection as well as a selection of workshops. 14–18 MARCH
CAITHNESS INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL FAMILY / SCIENCE Various venues, Caithness, science03.org
Since 2003, this annual festival has been hosted for all the primary and secondary schools in Caithness. Featuring workshops, science and drama presentations, motivational speakers and competitions. 15–19 MARCH
ABERDEEN JAZZ FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Aberdeen, aberdeenjazzfestival.com
A host of musicians and performers descend on the Granite City for a few days of jazz and blues, with everything from jamming and workshops, to chilled-out gigs on the green and late night sessions. The programme in 2016 included Otis Taylor and Dwayne Dopsie, Ralph Alessi, Soweto Kinch, Riot Jazz Brass Band and Grainne Duffy. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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LOCHWINNOCH ARTS FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Lochwinnoch, lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk
Lochwinnoch’s annual arts festival is a celebration of music, art, dancing and theatre. Highlights include music from Karine Polwart, Witches Brew and Fara, a performance from Calder Drama Society and workshops covering singing, playing the accordion and dancing the Lindy Hop. 15–17 MARCH
GLASGOW SHORT FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow, glasgowfilm. org/glasgow-short-film-festival
Screenings, talks and workshops celebrating a diverse range of local, international and upcoming talent. 17–25 MARCH
EDINBURGH’S FESTIVAL OF IRELAND FAMILY / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghsfestivalofireland.org
A little bit of Ireland descends upon Edinburgh in the run-up to St Patrick’s Day. Edinburgh’s Festival of Ireland is a multi-arts, family-friendly celebration of the Emerald Isle, with storytelling, music, dance, talks, comedy and food & drink events. Last year’s festival featured Tannahill Weavers, Cathal McConnell, Siamsoir Irish dancers and a musicians’ session. 17–19 MARCH
NIEL GOW ANNUAL SCOTTISH FIDDLE FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Dunkeld & Birnam, niel-gow.co.uk
PHOTO: CHRIS NASH
15–26 MARCH
Established in 2004 to celebrate the life of Perthshire fiddle legend Niel Gow, this festival is held in his home territory of Dunkeld & Birnam. Now a breeding ground for traditional music talent, the festival runs a selection of workshops, performances and events each year. 18 MARCH
ADAM SMITH FOOD FESTIVAL
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK High Street, Kirkcaldy, facebook.com/kirkcaldy
DANCE INTERNATIONAL GLASGOW
A two-day celebration of local food and drink with demonstrations, talks and plenty of samples to enjoy.
After its impressive debut in 2015, biennial festival Dance International Glasgow (DIG) returns with another diverse programme of genredefying work. Produced and programmed by Tramway, but with events happening at venues throughout Glasgow, this year’s DIG attracts some of the dance world’s major players (Siobhan Davies, Shobana Jeyasingh, Fleur Darkin to name but some) as well as more emerging artists. Expect edgy work from American choreographer Meg Stuart and her Brusselsbased company, Damaged Goods, beautifully nuanced contemporary work from James Cousins Company, fascinating exploratory movement from Glasgow’s own Anna Krzystek and much more besides. Particularly noteworthy is a world premiere from Scottish Ballet by the hugely imaginative Dutch and Israeli duo Uri Ivgi and Johan Greben. The choreographers have been turning heads and winning awards across Europe for the past ten years, and hopes are high they’ll take our national ballet company to new and exciting places. (Kelly Apter) ■ Various venues, Glasgow, 21 April–21 May, tramway.org
22–26 MARCH
HIPPODROME SILENT FILM FESTIVAL FAMILY / FILM & TV The Hippodrome, 10 Hope Street, Bo’ness, hippfest.co.uk
Scotland’s only silent film festival runs over five days with events, screenings, new commissions and workshops, featuring live music by national and international musicians and performers. The programme is a mix of rare, recently rediscovered and classic silent films with live musical accompaniment. See Spotlight On, page 28. 24 MARCH–2 APRIL
GLITCH FILM & TV CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, cca-glasgow.com
A queer, trans, intersex, people of colour film festival that aims to present a ‘contemporary snapshot of queer passions and preoccupations’. The programme features films, video art, spoken word, filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions and live music. Entry to events is free. All films are subtitled and all live events are BSL interpreted.
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25 MARCH–15 APRIL
PUPPET ANIMATION FESTIVAL FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Scotland, puppetanimationfestival.org
The UK’s largest and longest established annual performing arts event for children pulls some strings to present a feast of puppet-based entertainment, working with local authorities, organisations and venues throughout Scotland. 29–31 MARCH
LORN DRAMA FESTIVAL FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE Corran Halls, The Esplanade, Oban, argyllcommunities.org/ lorndramafestival
A festival of one-act plays performed by drama groups from all over Argyll. 31 MARCH–5 APRIL
DIG IT! With the opportunity for a full 12 months to celebrate Scotland’s fascinating past, Dig It! is a proper hands-on festival featuring a wide range of activities suitable for the whole family. There are plenty of opportunities for people of all ages to get down and dirty, and literally dig up the past. Or why not keep clean and explore the country’s long and varied history through song, art, theatre, talks, exhibitions and storytelling? This year-long, countrywide festival has something for everyone, whether you’re a history buff or just curious about our nation’s past. Co-ordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Archaeology Scotland, its aim is to focus on education and the promotion of our archaeological heritage. To that end, a vast range of companies, societies, museums and universities have joined forces across the whole of Scotland to help drive public interest in our shared history. Minecraft fans can explore the first full-scale, topographically accurate rendition of the country in a special project supervised by a team of archaeologists. World Heritage Day falls on 18 April and its mission (to promote awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage) is perhaps more vital than ever before. Scotland has no less than six World Heritage Sites: St Kilda, Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, New Lanark, the Antonine Wall, and the Forth Bridge, so expect plenty of opportunities to explore our rich and diverse past. (Murray Robertson) ■ Various venues, Scotland, year round, digit2017.com 34
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EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL HARP FESTIVAL MUSIC Merchiston Castle School, 294 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, harpfestival.co.uk
This annual harp festival welcomes a healthy mix of world-class harpists and up-and-coming local talents playing a range of musical styles from folk to jazz. There’s concerts, courses, workshops, the UK’s largest harpmakers’ exhibition and late night music sessions. 31 MARCH–9 APRIL
ON THE ROCKS STUDENT ARTS FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS Various venues, St Andrews, ontherocksfestival.com
An entirely student-run arts festival incorporating art, photography, film, theatre, dance, fashion, music and LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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comedy. The festival aims to allow different student societies and groups to showcase their talent and to collaborate on bigger projects. People from outside the university community are also encouraged to participate.
1–16 APRIL
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL FAMILY / SCIENCE Various venues, Edinburgh, sciencefestival.co.uk
APRIL–NOVEMBER
Hands-on science for adults, children and families in venues across the city with a programme ranging from the entertaining to the controversial.
PERTH AND KINROSS ARCHAEOLOGY YEAR
1–28 APRIL
APRIL
FAMILY / HERITAGE / OUTDOORS Various venues, Perth and Kinross, www.pkht.org.uk
THAT’S FIFE
Discover Perth and Kinross’ outstanding archaeological heritage. Take part in an exciting programme that includes excavations, guided walks, talks, workshops, exhibition, themed fairs and more.
The kingdom pulls in some impressive names for its comedy festival in partnership with Gilded Balloon. Headliners in 2016 included Ardal O’Hanlon, Ed Byrne and Fred MacAulay.
COMEDY / FAMILY Various venues, Fife, gildedballoon.co.uk/thats-fife
1 & 2 APRIL 1–16 APRIL
GASTROFEST FOOD & DRINK / SCIENCE Various venues, Edinburgh, sciencefestival.co.uk
Science and gastronomy converge at this foodie minifest organised by Edinburgh International Science Festival. Food producers, chefs and mixologists help sciencey types explore the experiences of taste, disgust, pleasure and other aspects of consumption through demos, workshops, exhibitions and discussions. 1 & 2 APRIL
SPRINGFEST: THE SCOTTISH FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Loch Lomond Shores, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, lochlomondspringfest.co.uk
A springtime event to celebrate all things food and drink, from the people behind the ever-popular Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival.
HEAVY SCOTLAND MUSIC Corn Exchange, 11 New Market Road, Edinburgh, heavyscotland. com
Brand new extremely heavy metal festival for Scotland, making its debut in 2017, featuring Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Grave, Dyscarnate, Blaze Bayley, Havok, Shiraz Lane, Disposable and Centrilia. Hosted by Femke Fatale. 5–9 APRIL
BUZZCUT FESTIVAL ART / THEATRE & DANCE Pearce Institute, 840 Govan Road, Glasgow, glasgowbuzzcut. wordpress.com
Cutting edge performance art festival created in 2011 in response to the shock cancellation of New Territories festival. Buzzcut is all about sharing: food, ideas and homes. 6–9 APRIL
COUNTERFLOWS ART / FILM & TV / MUSIC Various venues, Glasgow,
counterflows.com Counterflows marries the local to the international with artists from around the world collaborating with homegrown talent in spaces across Glasgow. The 2016 lineup featured Graham Lambkin, Rian Treanor and YEAH YOU. 7–9 APRIL
GLENFARG FOLK FEAST FAMILY / MUSIC The Green Hotel, 2 The Muirs, Kinross, Perth and Kinross, glenfargfolkclub.com
A small and friendly stalwart on the folk festival calendar, this festival is an initiative of the Glenfarg Village Folk Club. The 2017 feast features Robyn Stapleton, Maurice Dickson and the Farg Folk. 7–9 APRIL
THE OFFICIAL SCOTTISH ELVIS PRESLEY FESTIVAL MUSIC The Glasgow City Hotel, Cambridge Street, Glasgow, absoluteelvis.com
A celebration of the King with plenty of Elvis impersonators. 7–9 APRIL
CONPULSION UNDERWORLD FAMILY Teviot, Bristo Place, Edinburgh, conpulsion.org
Edinburgh’s largest weekend tabletop gaming convention, covering board games, wargames and live action roleplay. There are guests, competitions, events, traders and lots of games to play. Supporting the Grassmarket Community Project. 9–14 APRIL
WALK ISLAY FAMILY / OUTDOOR Various venues, Isle of Islay, walkislay.co.uk
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15 & 16 APRIL
20–23 APRIL
SLOW MARATHON FESTIVAL
BIG LIT
OUTDOOR Various venues, Huntly, deveronprojects.com
SPOTLIGHT ON . . . SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE Held annually over the first long weekend in May, this whisky-inspired festival offers over 500 events in different venues across Speyside, a region that’s home to more than half of all distilleries in Scotland. Spirit of Speyside is now in its 18th year and promises a programme that’s suitable for experts, novices and even non-whisky drinkers. Last year, the 15th-century Gordon Castle played host at the festival for the first time, serving a four-course dinner with specially selected whiskies and wines. A malting event was also added to the programme, giving ticket holders an insight into this often overlooked element of production. Dalmunach Distillery was opened to the public for the very first time, holding exclusive whisky festival tours. The five-day whisky celebration is a chance to go behind the scenes at traditional distilleries, taste vintage whiskies, discover foods that complement different drams and enjoy outdoor activities, masterclasses, talks, wildlife walks and more. (Louise Stoddart) ■ Various venues, Speyside, 27 April–1 May, spiritofspeyside.com 36
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This year’s Slow Marathon examines places of energy, in the area southeast of Huntly. From Neolithic sites, to hill tops, to renewables; they test the energy in the landscape and recharge batteries through a 42k walk. 18 APRIL
SCOTLAND IN SIX – DIG IT! HERITAGE / MUSIC Various venues, Scotland, digit2017.com
Celebrate World Heritage Day at one of Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites. There is yarn bombing in New Lanark, Picts chasing Romans at the Antonine Wall, glow in-the-dark storytelling on Orkney and more. See panel, page 34. 19-22 APRIL
PAISLEY BEER & FOOD FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Paisley Town Hall, Paisley, paisley2021.co.uk
Four-day festival celebrating the best ales from around the UK and Europe. On 22 April there is a one-day food festival offering street food, cookery demonstrations and live music. 20–22 APRIL
KINGDOM OF FIFE REAL ALE, CIDER AND PERRY FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Rothes Halls, Kingdom Centre, Glenrothes, facebook.com/ kingdomoffifefestival
A chance to sample real ales from around the country, as well as cider, perry and continental beers. There’s live music and guests receive a programme with detailed tasting notes.
LITERATURE Mill on the Fleet, High Street, Gatehouse of Fleet, millonthefleet.co.uk
A long weekend of book events including talks, stories and poetry from a host of authors. 20–23 APRIL
DEAD BY DAWN FILM & TV Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, deadbydawn.co.uk
Celebrating 23 years of cinematic scares, the Filmhouse’s horror fest hosts a selection of genre premieres, classic features, short films and special guests. 20–23 APRIL
LOCH SHIEL SPRING FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Loch Shiel, Lochaber, lochshielfestival.com
A festival of Western classical music. From offbeat locations to local traditions, national celebrations to innovative performances, this festival celebrates anything and everything to do with chamber music. 20–30 APRIL
UNDEPENDENCE FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Various venues, Stirling, undependence.co.uk
Pop Up! Scotland present independent short films and features. 21 APRIL–21 MAY
DANCE INTERNATIONAL GLASGOW THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Glasgow, tramway.org
This biennial dance festival is produced and programmed by Tramway, with events happening all across Glasgow. See Spotlight On, page 33. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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facebook.com/southayrshireeventsandfestivals
35th
THE
25-28 MAY 2017
FOLK FESTIVAL Eddi Reader Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill Flook Become a Folk Festival Patron and qualify for:Blazin’ Fiddles 30% discount on NorthLink Ferries Kris Drever Priority ticket booking The Young’uns 10% off Festival merchandise The East Pointers Visit our website for details Saltfishforty Elephant Sessions Talisk The Wrigley Sisters Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards The Chair Tom Orr Band Jeffrey Foucault and many more . . .
Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland
/orkneyfolkfestival
@OrkneyFolkFest
EVERY YEAR, IT’S A BRAND NEW ADVENTURE 01387 213 218 www.spring-fling.co.uk
orkneyfolkfestival.com 37
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21–23 APRIL
NORTHERN STREAMS MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Grassmarket Centre, Edinburgh, northernstreams.org
Festival celebrating Scottish and Nordic music, song and dance through concerts, workshops and sessions, with guests from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Scotland. 22 APRIL
FIFE BRASS BAND FESTIVAL MUSIC Carnegie Hall, East Port, Dunfermline, fifebrassbanding. org.uk
Brass bands from around Scotland each present their own concert programme at this competition. 26 APRIL–7 MAY
TRADFEST HERITAGE / MUSIC Various venues, Edinburgh, tracscotland.org/tradfest
PHOTO: BAKERPHOTOGRAPHIC.COM
TRADFEST ‘Rooted in the Past, Resonating in the Present’ is the tagline for the fifth year of Edinburgh’s TradFest. With a focus on folk arts which encompass a range of music, storytelling, dance, film, literature, talks, crafts and visual arts, the festival is based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile, but stretches out to other venues across the city. It’s a genuine and dynamic festival experience grounded in the city’s environment, people and culture, which in 2017 will feature a new strand, The People’s Heritage. This programme will encourage fresh and creative responses to heritage and archaeological sites in and around Edinburgh, seeking to interpret the city through the lives of ordinary people rather than royalty or well-known historical characters. Among the other events taking place are the Hands Up For Trad Battle of the Bands in which 24 new and emergent folk acts compete; Jock’s Jock, a theatrical evocation of the experiences of frontline ranks in WWI, as collected from first-hand testimony by Jock Duncan; a Voyage of Discovery Project encouraging the next generation to embrace the rich maritime heritage of Leith; and the Soundhouse Organisation’s music series at Summerhall, featuring Scottish, Irish, Americana, Appalachian, country and international styles. There will also be a May Day procession to the Scottish Parliament on 6 May and a celebration of 30 years of the Beltane Fire Festival on 30 April at Calton Hill. (David Pollock) ■ Various venues, Edinburgh, 26 April–7 May, tracscotland.org/tradfest 38
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Edinburgh’s TradFest kickstarts the summer season with a feast of folk arts – music, storytelling, dance, folk film, literature, talks, crafts and visual arts – across Scotland’s capital. It is inspired by the traditions of May Day and Beltane and showcases cultural traditions with a contemporary spin. See Panel, left. 27–29 APRIL
DUNDEAD HORROR FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, Dundee, dca.org.uk
For the fifth year running, Dundee indulges its more bloodthirsty side with a weekend of cinematic thrills and scares. With a programme of sneak previews and terrifying classics, the event has an inclusive feel, welcoming suggestions via social media. 27 APRIL–1 MAY
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WHISKY FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Various venues, Speyside, spiritofspeyside.com
Distilleries, shops, restaurants, pubs and villages throughout Speyside – home to more than half of Scotland’s whisky distilleries – welcome visitors with an enormous array of special tastings, behindthe-scenes tours, food, music and outdoor and heritage activities. See Spotlight On, page 36.
music, specialty food, whisky, charity stalls and a barbecue. 28–30 APRIL
KINTYRE SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL MUSIC Town Hall, 54 Main Street, Campbeltown, kintyresongwritersfestival.co.uk
27 APRIL–1 MAY
A music festival aimed at showcasing and promoting Kintyre’s homegrown musical talent, along with appearances by a selection of higher profile guests.
LOOK AGAIN VISUAL ART & DESIGN FESTIVAL
28–30 APRIL
ART Various venues, Aberdeen, lookagainfestival.co.uk
A showcase of inspiring and thought-provoking visual art projects from the north east of Scotland that features new commissions, exhibitions and talks. Launched in 2014 previous festivals have included Doug Fishbone, Gabrielle Reith and Turner Prize winners Assemble.
DANCE FESTIVAL MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Oban, obanfestival.org
An Oban-based festival with 125 competition classes in disciplines including piping, accordion, fiddle, clarsach, piano, recorder, woodwind & brass, singing, highland dancing and choreography. Annual events include the Scottish Choreography Challenge, the Festival Fling and the only highland dancing team event to be held in the world, the Scottish Area Finals.
BONFEST
29 APRIL
MUSIC Bonfest Festival Site, East Muirhead of Logie Farm, Kirriemuir, bonfest.com
SCOTLAND CALLING
Fans from all over the world descend on the Angus town of Kirriemuir for a celebration of its most rock’n’roll son, AC/DC front man Bon Scott.
One-day punk festival featuring the Toy Dolls, the Exploited, Angelic Upstarts, UK Subs, Chelsea, 999, the Restarts, Gimp Fist, Hi Fi Spitfires and Spunk Volcano & the Eruptions.
MUSIC O2 ABC, 330 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, abcglasgow.com
28–30 APRIL
INVERURIE BEER FESTIVAL: BEER @ THE BARN LOCHTER
29 & 30 APRIL
MUSIC Various venues, Shetland, shetlandfolkfestival.com
FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Lochter Activity Centre, Old Meldrum, Inverurie, inveruriebeerfestival.com
FAMILY / LITERATURE Colonsay Village Hall, Scalasaig, Isle of Colonsay, colonsaybookfestival.org.uk
This internationally renowned festival hosts eclectic lineups of folk, blues, jazz and swing with a programme of workshops, sessions and formal and informal concerts.
This mini sister festival to Inverurie’s Beer Festival showcases a range of beer, cider, gin and rum. There are also street food stands and local bands play live music over the three days.
27 APRIL–1 MAY
28 APRIL–7 MAY
As well as readings and performances, the emphasis is on meeting and chatting with the writers, and debate and good craic in the pub. Featuring Alexander McCall Smith, Sue Lawrence, Karen Campbell, James Hunter, Jim Carruth and Christine de Luca.
BANDSTAND BEER AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
STIRLING WHISKY AND SPIRIT FESTIVAL
30 APRIL
FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Bandstand Bar and Restaurant, Braeval Hotel, 3 Crescent Road, Nairn, braevalhotel.co.uk
FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Various venues, Stirling, stirlingwhiskyshop.com
27–30 APRIL
SHETLAND FOLK FESTIVAL
The largest indie beer and music festival in the Highlands, boasting more than 140 real ales, ciders and craft beers from all over the world, including some brewed right here at home. Expect live
A ten-day festival with activities including ceilidhs, barbecues, gin tastings and live music. 28 APRIL–1 MAY
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS MUSIC AND
COLONSAY BOOK FESTIVAL
STEREOFUNK FESTIVAL MUSIC Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell, stereofunkevents. com
Club night Stereofunk bring you a full day of DJs and live music. 2017’s lineup still tbc but expect a mix of live acts, big name DJs, tribute acts and local bands. 39
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30 APRIL
BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL HERITAGE Calton Hill, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, beltane.org
A modern interpretation of the ancient fertility festival of Beltane in the spectacular setting of Calton Hill. Beltane Fire Society performs the story of the death of winter and the birth of summer via dance, drumming, debauched acrobatics, giant-puppetry and fire.
MAY MAY-SEPTEMBER
HIGHLAND GAMES HERITAGE / FAMILY / OUTDOORS Various venues, Scotland, visitscotland.com/see-do/events/ highland-games
Highland Games are hosted across the country from May to September. At these outdoor spectacles you can see traditional heavy athletic events like tug-owar and the caber toss, Highland dancing competitions, pipe bands, track and field events, and stalls selling local produce. 1–21 MAY
COLONSAY FESTIVAL OF SPRING
programme that informs, challenges, inspires and entertains. 3–30 MAY
MAYFESTO THEATRE & DANCE Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow, tron.co.uk
Mayfesto celebrates theatre with an edge, theatre that focuses on what’s going on in the world and that is in response to recent events.
literature in Highland culture, this festival brings together writers from the local area, Scotland and abroad and knows how to take care of its guests: the events are organised thoughtfully so that festival-goers can attend everything, and the Saturday sessions start with a bacon roll and coffee and end with a smoked salmon supper. 5–14 MAY
3–11 MAY
VOLUNTARY ARTS FESTIVAL
HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE CYCLING FESTIVAL
ART / COMMUNITY / FAMILY Various venues, Scotland, voluntaryarts.org/festival
FAMILY / MUSIC / OUTDOOR Various venues, Perthshire, highlandperthshire cyclingfestival.co.uk
Make a creative date in your diary as part of Voluntary Arts Festival 2017. The UK-wide festival showcases cultural groups and invites you to ‘get creative’ in your community. Visit the website to register your event and find local activities.
A week-long celebration of cycling with a packed programme of guided mountain bike and road rides, evening rides, school events, family fun and evening entertainment. The festival starts with the Dunkeld Enduro, a 58k off-road ride. 5–11 MAY
NEWTON STEWART WALKING FESTIVAL OUTDOOR Various venues, Dumfries & Galloway, newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk
5–7 MAY
GIG IN THE GOIL MUSIC Various venues, Lochgoilhead, argyllholidays.com
Boutique festival located in the heart of Argyll. The village’s first music festival is the brainchild of local holiday park operator, Argyll Holidays. It takes place across various venues, with the Main Stage located at the Drimsynie House Hotel and the Goil Inn’s Village Stage playing host to local acts. There is also a range of outdoor activities and entertainment over the weekend and a variety of local food and drink to enjoy.
This tiny island comes alive with a series of events that showcase its natural beauty: workshops and tours, whisky tasting and cake baking, music, exhibitions and film screenings.
A week of guided walks exploring the wild hills, rugged coastline and rolling countryside of Galloway in south-west Scotland. Walks are guided by members of Galloway Mountain Rescue Team or other local guides and some have specific themes, such as wildlife, coastline, geology or history.
1 MAY
5–8 MAY
BURNSFEST!
UK GREEN FILM FESTIVAL
ULLAPOOL BOOK FESTIVAL
FILM & TV Various venues, Scotland, ukgreenfilmfestival.org
FAMILY / LITERATURE Ullapool Village Hall, Market Street, Ullapool, ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk
FAMILY / LITERATURE / MUSIC Rozelle Park, Monument Road, Ayr, burnsfestival.com/burnsfest
COMMUNITY / FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Colonsay, colonsayevents.co.uk
6 MAY
The film fest with an environmental conscience, curating a UK-wide 40
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Continuing the importance of
A programme of events based around the works of Oor Rabbie, including live music, a Burns wine bar and beer garden, LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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pop-up poems, a-coo-stick tipi, performance pokey, Burns fair, a haggis hurling hoolie and other events. 6–8 MAY
MONIAIVE FOLK FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Moniaive, moniaivefolkfestival.co.uk
One of the country’s most civilised festivals, the Moniaive Folk Festival boasts a heated marquee and a campsite with hot showers alongside its myriad musical sessions, children’s programme, workshops and piping competition. 6–28 MAY
IGNITE DUNDEE ART / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Dundee, ignitednd.co.uk
A series of events aimed at drawing visitors to Dundee and raising the city’s profile with theatre, music and art, including Duncan of Jordanstone College’s Art & Design degree show. 6 & 7 MAY
LOCH EWE WWII FESTIVAL FAMILY/ HERITAGE Various venues, Poolewe, theracproject.org/festival/index. php
A weekend of music, dancing, re-enactment, film and much more. 6 MAY
STIRLING GIN FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK The Stirling Highland Hotel, Spittal Street, Stirling, stirlingwhiskyshop.com
A celebration of gin, from the Stirling Whisky Shop. The festival includes exhibitors, masterclasses and the chance to chat with craft distillers.
FESTIVAL OF MUSEUMS Think you know museums? Think again. The Festival of Museums is an annual three-day celebration of history, culture, science, arts and heritage during which museums of all shapes and sizes across the country host special events, showcasing the important place our museums hold as gatekeepers of Scotland’s cultural heritage. Following the festival’s ten-year anniversary in 2016, more than 70 museums and galleries across the country will open their doors to punters of all stripes, allowing smaller venues to have their chance to shine alongside their better-known counterparts. Last year’s highlights included WWI commemorations at Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, a dinosaur day (with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra providing a soundtrack) at Dunfermline’s Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum, or tales of myths and legends at Groam House Museum in Ross-shire. Alongside those happenings were author events at Glasgow’s Hunterian, a steampunk night at Edinburgh’s Surgeons’ Hall, and a polar explorer day at Dundee’s Discovery Point. Whether you’re a history buff, a military expert, or a family looking for a weekend of activities to get the kids excited about learning, the events offered (more than 100 took place over last year’s weekend) are near-exhaustive. From literature and music to history and militaria, as well as food and drink (this is Scotland after all), whatever your bag, you’ll find someone celebrating it somewhere. Stepping confidently into the first year of its second decade, the Festival of Museums is a chance to recognise the importance of Scotland’s history and heritage. (Kirstyn Smith) ■ Various venues, nationwide, 19–21 May, festivalofmuseums.co.uk 41
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6 MAY
12–14 MAY
PERTH BEER FESTIVAL
FIFESING: THE FIFE TRADITIONAL SINGING FESTIVAL
FOOD & DRINK / OUTDOOR North Inch Park, Perth, perthbeerfestival.co.uk
Combined beer festival and rugby sevens tournament so you have something to watch while drinking beer from around the country. There’s also a ticketed function at night with a topnotch local band.
FAMILY / HERITAGE / MUSIC Falkland Community Hall, Back Wynd, Falkland, springthyme.co.uk/fifesing
A celebration of traditional singing for singers and enthusiasts. The weekend includes concerts, singarounds, sessions, workshops and talks.
7 MAY
12–14 MAY
THE SCRIBBLER’S PICNIC
IRVINE VALLEY WALKING FESTIVAL
FAMILY / MUSIC Stirling County Rugby Club, Causewayhead Road, Stirling, scribblerspicnic.co.uk
OUTDOOR Various venues, Irvine, ivrp.org.uk
A music and fun festival for all ages aimed at family entertainment. The 2017 music lineup includes Mike Whellans, Paul Sullivan (Twa Tenors), Something Someone, and Deuce and Zero. 8–20 MAY
BOOKED! COMMUNITY / LITERATURE Various venues, West Dunbartonshire, bookedfestival.info
A free local literature festival run by West Dunbartonshire Libraries that nevertheless manages to book some big name authors for its programme of talks, signings and more unusual events. 10–14 MAY
IBERODOCS FILM & TV Various venues, Edinburgh & Glasgow, iberodocs.org
Showcase for Ibero-American culture in Scotland, featuring the best of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin-American documentary films. The common theme this year is ‘Boundaries’, and the films themselves come from 12 different countries. 42
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The 15th annual walking festival takes in some of the finer spots around the area. 12 MAY
COLL BIRD FESTIVAL OUTDOOR An Cridhe, Isle of Coll, collbunkhouse.com/birdfestival-2017
performing arts in Falkirk and district with music, theatre, dance, drama, exhibitions, seminars and family shows involving community and professional groups. 12–28 MAY
SOUTHSIDE FRINGE COMEDY / FAMILY / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Glasgow, southsidefringe.org.uk
Festival incorporating music, theatre and activities for all the family. 12–14 MAY
CAMPSIE MAYFEST ART / FAMILY / MUSIC Milton of Campsie, Glasgow, facebook.com/MoCartclub
Community art and music festival including art exhibitions, walks, a craft fair and live music. 13–14 MAY
LOCH FYNE FOOD FAIR
A chance to find out about the bird life on Coll, including the elusive corncrake.
FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK Loch Fyne Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Clachan, Cairndow, lochfyne.com
12–14 MAY
A quirky literary festival devoted to biography and the first modern biographer, James Boswell. The fest spans talks, performances and workshops by writers, actors and artists.
In operation since 1990, the Loch Fyne Food Fair celebrates the best local produce Scotland has to offer, as well as specially selected produce from further afield. Alongside Loch Fyne Oysters own seafood stands, the event features live music throughout both days, a craft tent and a dedicated children’s area hosting exciting activities.
12–21 MAY
13 & 14 MAY
FALKIRK TRYST FESTIVAL
GLASGOW TATTOO FESTIVAL
ART / FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE Falkirk Town Hall, Falkirk, fdacc.org.uk/tryst.html
ART The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate, Glasgow, waspsstudios.org.uk
BOSWELL BOOK FESTIVAL FAMILY / LITERATURE Dumfries House, Cumnock, boswellbookfestival.co.uk
Annual festival featuring the best of the visual and
The first ever Glasgow Tattoo Festival, in association with The Studio. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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Saturday night 10 June Holyrood Park Edinburgh
26.2 or 13.1miles...
walkthewalk.org Patron HRH The Prince of Wales Official newspaper of The MoonWalk Scotland
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Charity No SC029572
You choose – get walking for breast cancer!
Official media partner of Walk the Walk
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15–27 MAY
PERTH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Perth, perthfestival.co.uk
Music, comedy, theatre, dance and visual arts are all up for grabs at this festival. Highlights include Nigel Kennedy playing his Vivaldi: The New Four Seasons, English Touring Opera perform Tosca, the Treacherous Orchestra, Adam Holmes and the Embers, Rachael Sermanni, Martin Taylor and Alison Burns and the Moscow Philharmonic with Freddy Kempf. 17–19 MAY
STRICHEN FESTIVAL FAMILY / HERITAGE / MUSIC Various venues, Strichen, buchanheritagesociety.co.uk
This friendly festival has been running since 1984 and seeks to keep traditional art forms alive. Located in north-east Scotland, it offers a programme of music, song, verse and drama as well as competitions and ceilidhs. 19–22 MAY
ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL OUTDOOR Various venues, Arran, arranmountainfestival.co.uk
A huge variety of guided walks and scrambles throughout Arran’s stunning hills and mountains: from wildlife-watching walks along the island’s coastline to airy scrambles on towering granite ridges.
in our historic institutions. Past events have included breakdancing and military fitness sessions; behind-the-scenes tours at Dundee’s McManus; a Gothic Food Fair at The Dick; a Renaissance fashion show at the Brass Rubbing Centre; smooth jazz at Low Parks Museum; a Fishtastic Festival at Timespan; Black Watch battle re-enactments in Perth and more. See Panel, page 41. 19–21 MAY
COASTWORD
21–23 MAY
ORKNEY JAZZ FESTIVAL MUSIC The Stromness Hotel, The Pierhead, Stromness, Orkney, stromnesshotel.com
A weekend of traditional jazz with players from around the UK and a sprinkling of local talent to ensure a true Orcadian flavour. 25–28 MAY
KNOCKENGORROCH WORLD CEILIDH
FAMILY / LITERATURE Various venues, Dunbar, coastword.co.uk
FAMILY / MUSIC Knockengorroch Farm, Carsphairn, Castle Douglas, knockengorroch.org.uk
The literary community comes together to bring a roster of bookish delights to Dunbar for a wee, weekend-long festival. The 2016 programme included Liz Lochhead, Claire Askew, Rachel McCrum, Janice Galloway, Ann Cleeves and Kirsty Law.
Running since 1998 this stalwart festival has an emphasis on roots music. The lineup is a melting pot of world, folk, fusion and dub reggae music with electronica, hip hop and drum & bass thrown in for good measure, performed live and DJed.
20–26 MAY
25–28 MAY
BALLATER WALKING FESTIVAL
ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL
OUTDOOR Various venues, Royal Deeside, walkballater.com
FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Orkney, orkneyfolkfestival.com
Run continuously since 1998, this festival caters to all abilities of walkers. Making the most of the magnificent views on easy, medium and strenuous walks over seven days, which are led by knowledgeable local residents, full-time rangers and professional mountain guides.
A firm fixture in the folk festival calendar since its inception in 1982, the festival’s combination of Orcadian talent and visiting musicians earned it the accolade Event of the Year at the 2011 Scots Trad Music Awards. 25–27 MAY
19–21 MAY
SHUFFLE DOWN
ISLE OF SKYE ACCORDION AND FIDDLE FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL OF MUSEUMS
FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Dobbie Hall, Main Street, Larbert, shuffledown.co.uk
MUSIC Various venues, Isle Of Skye, skyemusic.co.uk/festival.asp
Fundraiser for MND Scotland with live music, local craft beer and stalls selling food, arts and crafts. Confirmed acts include Treetop Flyers, Marnie, Esperanza and Miracle Glass Company.
A weekend of traditional music celebrating the twin tenets of Scottish folk music, the accordion and fiddle, with a series of gigs and ceilidhs on Skye. Confirmed acts include Ballochmyle Band and Roya MacLean.
20 MAY
FAMILY / HERITAGE Various venues, Scotland, festivalofmuseums.com
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PHOTO: CHRIS SCOTT
26 MAY–4 JUNE
HIDDEN DOOR FESTIVAL ART / MUSIC Leith Theatre, Thomas Morton Hall, 28–30 Ferry Road, Edinburgh, hiddendoorblog.org
Artists of all stripes congregate for the Hidden Door interdisciplinary arts festival, which features dozens of cool musicians, bands, artists, poets and filmmakers, often working in new and exciting combinations. It takes place this year at the old Leith Theatre – a derelict art deco building that has been standing empty for 28 years. 26–28 MAY
MONTROSE MUSIC FESTIVAL (MO FEST) MUSIC Various venues, Montrose, montrosemusicfestival.co.uk Hidden Door Festival
25–29 MAY
DUNDEE DESIGN FESTIVAL ART Various venues, Dundee, dundeedesignfestival.com
This five-day festival celebrates design in Dundee, marking the city’s time as the UK’s UNESCO City of Design. Featuring an exhibition of local, national and international design and a programme of events including forums, talks and practical workshops led by designers. 26–28 MAY
OBAN, LORN AND THE ISLES’ FESTIVAL OF THE SEA FAMILY / OUTDOOR Ocean Explorer Centre, Scottish Marine Institute, Dunbeg, Oban, obanseafestival. org
A festival celebrating our marine environment. Largely based at the Ocean Explorer Centre, this long weekend features talks,
workshops, craft activities and boat trips.
Affectionately known as ‘Mo Fest’, this annual event offers band nights, ceilidhs, big names on stage and a campsite. Deacon Blue (26 May) and the Beach Boys (28 May) have been announced for 2017.
26–28 MAY
MHOR FESTIVAL
26–28 MAY
FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Monachyle Mhor Farm, Balquhidder, mhorfestival.net
MAY FESTIVAL
A family-friendly festival with live music, performance, workshops and baking competitions.
Festival with over 100 events ranging from arts, literature and music to science, food and sport.
26 MAY–3 JUNE
26 MAY–12 JUNE
ISLAY FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND MALT
TWEEDLOVE BIKE FESTIVAL
FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Various venues, Isle Of Islay, islayfestival.com
FAMILY / OUTDOOR Various venues, Peebles, tweedlove.com
The Islay Festival, or ‘Fèis Ìle’ as it’s called in Gaelic, celebrates 33 years in 2017. The fest offers distillery tours, loads of live music, a food fair, golf and bowling competitions, and even Gaelic lessons for those who want to embrace the culture of the most famous island in the world of whisky.
TweedLove is two weeks of bike riding and good times in the iconic Tweed Valley in the Scottish Borders. TweedLove encompasses all things cycling – from road and mountain bike races that attract pro cyclists to family rides through Peebles town centre and informal jaunts into the hills guided by local riders.
MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Aberdeen, abdn. ac.uk/mayfestival
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26–28 MAY
STRATHYRE MUSIC FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Strathyre, Stirling, balvaig.co.uk
This community music festival has taken only a few years to become one of the largest of its kind in Scotland. The programme features mostly singer-songwriters from all over the country but also some international bands, ceilidh outfits, pipe bands and musicians playing jazz, blues, folk and country. 26 MAY–4 JUNE
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY ARTS FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Dumfries & Galloway, dgartsfestival.org.uk
ST MAGNUS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL The St Magnus International Festival was founded in 1977 by a distinguished group that included Orkney’s great poet George Mackay Brown and its resident composer, the late and equally great Peter Maxwell Davies. The event has grown from small beginnings to become one of the biggest festivals in the far north. Taking place in June, it enjoys the benefit of Orkney’s long summer days (the sun rises around 4am and sets after 9pm) and epic twilights, making a magical setting for a fortnight of world-class performance. There’s so many events to choose from – poetry readings, talks, film screenings and more – but the heart of the festival is its music programme. Regularly featured are visiting ensembles from Europe and further afield, large-scale concerts with some of Scotland’s best orchestras, chamber music recitals and solo performances. As you’d expect from a festival founded by a composer, there’s a lot of new music, and no programme is complete without at least a sprinkling of UK and world premieres, frequently intersecting with the poetry strand to find new ways of presenting words with music. As of 2016, the festival has also acquired a new piano, so expect it to be put to good use over the coming years. The festival always involves the local community, with large-scale performances and outreach events such as the Orkney Traditional Music Project, which aims to revive and maintain the Orcadian fiddle and accordion tradition. Or if you fancy kicking back with some latenight music, the Festival Club is the place to go. (Alex Johnston) ■ Various venues, Orkney, 16–21 June, stmagnusfestival.com 46
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Established in 1979 with the aim of bringing world-class artists to a mainly rural area, this familyfriendly multi-arts festival has grown in confidence and sales year on year, with its mix of theatre, dance, music, literature and more. 27–29 MAY
SPRING FLING ART / FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Dumfries & Galloway, spring-fling.co.uk
A vibrant visual art and craft open studios event covering the length and breadth of Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland and offering that chance to see behind-thescenes of local artists. The Spring Fling Fringe provides a complementary programme of music and arts performances. 27 & 28 MAY
ANSTRUTHER HARBOUR FESTIVAL FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK Anstruther Harbour, Shore Street, Anstruther, LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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anstrutherharbourfestival.co.uk his family-friendly food festival based in Anstruther features local producers, tastings, demonstrations and children’s activities 27 MAY–4 JUNE
IMAGINATE FESTIVAL
Festival celebrating the best of local food and drink, sponsored by Whole Foods Giffnock and Yelp Glasgow. 27 & 28 MAY
EDINBURGH MARATHON FESTIVAL
drink has been a sell-out ever since. Taste drams from different regions and take part in masterclasses.
JUNE
OUTDOOR Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburgh-marathon.com
1–4 JUNE
Scotland’s largest running festival of its kind with over 30,000 runners expected to take part in 2017. There are seven races to choose from over two days including the marathon, half marathon, team relay, 10k, 5k and junior races.
OUTDOOR The Angus Glens, Angus, angusglenswalkingfestival. com
ELECTRIC FROG & PRESSURE RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL
27 & 28 MAY
1–3 JUNE
THE WHISKY STRAMASH
ARDROSSAN MUSIC EXPERIENCE
MUSIC Riverside Museum, 100 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow, riversidefestivalglasgow.com
FOOD & DRINK Surgeon’s Hall, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, thewhiskystramash. com
The Electric Frog crew and Pressure once again join forces to present their outdoor electronic music festival. 2016’s lineup included Fatboy Slim, Sven Vath, Laurent Garnier, Rodhad and Jackmaster.
Returning for the fifth year, the Whisky Stramash offers a chance to enjoy whiskies from Scotland and across the world in new and innovative ways.
MUSIC The Civic Centre, Glasgow Street, Ardrossan, ardrossanmusicexperience. com
FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Edinburgh, imaginate.org.uk
Edinburgh’s international children’s festival of performing arts presents a programme of dance, storytelling and puppetry, suitable for anyone with an imagination.
ANGUS GLENS WALKING FESTIVAL
Dozens of walks over four days from gentle coastal strolls to exhilarating hikes, all guided by experienced mountain leaders.
27 & 28 MAY
27 & 28 MAY
LARGS FOOD FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Various venues, Largs, North Ayrshire, largsfoodfest.com
This showcase of the best of Scottish food and drink has the scenic coastal backdrop of the holiday town of Largs as an added attraction.
MAY, DATES TBC
CAIRNGORM NATURE FESTIVAL OUTDOOR Various venues, Cairngorms National Park, cairngorms. co.uk
A festival celebrating the National Park’s outstanding wildlife and scenery with park-wide events for all ages, many of which are free. MAY, DATES TBC
27 MAY
EAGLESHAM BEER FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Eaglesham Playing Fields, Gilmore Street, Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire, eagleshambeerfest.wordpress. com
SPIRIT OF STIRLING WHISKY FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, Stirling, spiritofstirlingwhiskyfestival. co.uk
First held in 2012, this celebration of Scotland’s national
The family-friendly festival continues its blues, rock and pop nights, plus there are peripheral events including art exhibitions and workshops. Bands in 2016 included the Holy Ghosts, JJ Gilmour and Kaz Hawkins Band. 2–4 JUNE
SKYE STORYTELLING FESTIVAL AND GLENDALE GATHERING FAMILY / LITERATURE Various venues, Highlands & Islands, scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk
Do more than listen to the stories of the bards – go on a meandering, story-filled journey of your own. The festival starts off from Edinburgh by bus and makes its way to various literary landmarks in the Highlands before alighting on Skye for a day of walks, stories and ceilidhs. 47
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2 & 3 JUNE
PITMEDDEN COMMUNITY MUSIC FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Pitmedden Garden, Pitmedden, Ellon, pitmeddenmusicfestival. com
Not-for-profit community music festival with with jazz, orchestra, rock and more. There’s food stalls, kids entertainment and a beer festival showcasing craft beer and cider from around Scotland too. 2–17 JUNE
LINLITHGOW CIVIC FESTIVAL FAMILY Various venues, Linlithgow, linlithgow.com/civic_festival.htm
The Civic Festival includes Linlithgow Marches and the Linlithgow Bridge Children’s Gala Day. 2 & 3 JUNE
OBAN LIVE MUSIC Mossfield Stadium, Oban, obanlive.com
A two-day open air concert showcasing international acts. The event follows on from the successful ‘Decade’ concert that was held in May 2015 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Skerryvore. The lineup is announced closer to the time but 2016’s festival featured Hunter and the Bear, Wolfstone and KT Tunstall.
in venison from the estate and fresh oysters from the loch). The festival takes pains to be kidfriendly, with face painting and children’s entertainment as well as a family camping section situated away from the noise. 2–4 JUNE
SCOTLAND’S GARDENING FESTIVAL OUTDOORS Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, gardeningscotland. com
The biggest plant fair in Scotland offering all the inspiration you could need to make your garden grow. There’s over 400 exhibitors, a craft marquee and a food fayre.
TASTE OF GRAMPIAN FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK Thainstone Centre, Thainstone, Inverurie, tasteofgrampian.co.uk
A one-day food and drink festival which allows visitors to discover and sample the wide range of quality produce available in the Grampian region. 3 JUNE
WHISKY AN’ A’ THAT FOOD & DRINK Ayr Town Hall, New Bridge Street, Ayr, whatsonayrshire. com/ayr-whisky-festival.html
Ayr’s annual whisky festival returns with a bigger lineup than ever, featuring whiskies from more than 30 companies.
MEADOWS FESTIVAL
FYNEFEST
COMMUNITY / FAMILY / MUSIC The Meadows, Melville Drive, Edinburgh, meadowsfestival.org
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FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Kilbarchan Park, Park View, Kilbarchan, liliasday.co.uk
A day of celebrations hosted by Kilbarchan village since the 1700s. The day kicks off with a historic parade through the village followed by decorated floats, pipe and brass bands and those entering the fancy dress competition. Enjoy live music, a cycle display, food village, kids zone, charity football match, dog show and a tug of war contest between the local pubs. 3 JUNE MUSIC Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen, digitalloveaberdeen.co.uk/ enjoymusic
Family-friendly music festival with acts playing pop, rock, indie, hip hop, folk and dance across multiple stages. 3–11 JUN
3 HARBOURS ARTS FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS Various venues, East Lothian, 3harbours.co.uk
A diverse mix of art, music, performance and heritage in Prestonpans, Port Seton and Cockenzie. 7 & 8 JUNE
XPONORTH
2–4 JUNE
Beer is the star at FyneFest, with a wide variety of brews from the UK and beyond, accompanied by an equally tempting music programme and food from a range of local producers (local as
LILIAS DAY FESTIVAL
ENJOY MUSIC 3 JUNE
3 & 4 JUNE
FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Fyne Ales, Achadunan, Cairndow, fynefest.com
3 JUNE
Edinburgh’s festival season kicks off with the Meadows Festival, which offers a local band lineup, dance groups, performance stage, a dog show, the biggest outdoor market in Edinburgh and workshops amid lots of familyfriendly activities.
FILM & TV / MUSIC Various venues, Inverness, xponorth.co.uk
A two-day cross-genre festival devoted to crafts, publishing, screen and broadcast as well as music. There’s workshops, masterclasses and conferences during the day, evening showcases of music and film as well as opportunities to network with movers and shakers in the creative industries. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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8–11 JUNE
KIRKCUDBRIGHT JAZZ FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Kirkcudbright, kirkcudbrightjazzfestival.co.uk
The Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival places the emphasis squarely on traditional jazz, from ragtime to swing. The 2017 festival features Penman Jazzmen, the Big Easy, Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Giants and many other trad bands. 8–10 JUNE
SKYE WHISKY FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Aros Centre, Viewfield Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, aros.co.uk
Three-day festival celebrating the best of Scottish whisky with tastings, talks, music, film and authors. 8–18 JUNE
PAISLEY’S INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF WEAVING Paisley has long been a hub for the textiles industry, famous for the production of Paisley patterned shawls in the 19th century. Far ahead of their competitors at the time, the town’s weavers were world-renowned for their cheap and innovative methods which allowed up to 15 colours to be worked into the pattern. Today, the Paisley pattern remains synonymous with the Renfrewshire town, having become a notable part of its history and heritage. This summer, Paisley’s International Festival of Weaving will aim to engage with an important piece of heritage, reconnecting Paisley’s historical weaving tradition with the modern-day textiles industry. Taking place in the town centre, the festival will kick off with the Sma’ Shot Parade on 1 July, an annual tradition that pays tribute to a significant 19th-century dispute between the weavers and their employers. The Sma’ Shot was a small cotton thread that was vital to the creation of the Paisley pattern. But because of its near invisibility, manufacturers refused to pay for it, with the weavers being forced to finance it themselves. The Sma’ Shot Parade celebrates the weavers’ victory over their employers through hundreds of performers and participants who all get together to portray a vital moment in Paisley’s past. Following that colourful spectacle, the International Festival of Weaving will continue over the weekend with various cultural activities and performances throughout Paisley, commemorating the town’s weaving heritage and textile roots. (Arusa Qureshi) ■ Various venues, Paisley, 1 & 2 July, paisley2021.co.uk 50
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GLASGOW SCIENCE FESTIVAL: GLASGOW EXPLORES FAMILY / SCIENCE Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowsciencefestival.org.uk
A packed programme of workshops, shows, films, discussion, exhibitions and art collaborations allows budding scientists to sit back and learn something new or don safety goggles and take part in an experiment. The theme for 2017 is ‘Glasgow Explores’ and the festival follows Glasgow researchers as they push the boundaries and go to the outer limits. 8–11 JUNE
THE EDEN FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Raehills Meadows, St Anns, Moffat, edenfestival.co.uk
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skills, theatre, a children’s area, fun, games and much more. 8–18 JUNE
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL OF CYCLING OUTDOOR Various venues, Edinburgh, edfoc.org.uk
Alongside cycling events, from lengthy scenic tours to talks from well-known cyclists to family bike rides, the festival also features a related film and art programme. 9–11 JUNE
TMSA KEITH FESTIVAL HERITAGE / FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Keith, keithfestival.co.uk
picturesque coastal town of Crail featuring chef talks, cookery demonstrations, markets, workshops, tastings and music events. 10–18 JUNE
LEITH FESTIVAL HERITAGE / MUSIC Various venues, Edinburgh, leithfestival.com
The vibrant community of Leith shows off its festival skills with a fun-packed programme of events including exhibitions, concerts, walks, talks and films. Festival Gala Day is Sat 10 Jun, and Leith Festival Tattoo is on Sun 18 Jun. 11 JUNE
Traditional music, song, poetry and dance across a platform of competitions and spectator events, ending with a Farewell Concert/Ceilidh.
BALLANTRAE FESTIVAL OF FOOD & DRINK
9–11 JUNE
A food and drink festival celebrating local eating and drinking. Dedicated to promoting quality, well-sourced food, there are tastings, pop-up restaurants, producers and traders to meet, organic food stalls and demonstrations.
ARRAN FOLK FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Arran, arranevents.com/index.php
The island described as being Scotland in miniature presents a weekend of folk, with sessions, concerts and ceilidhs.
FOOD & DRINK Festival Marquee, Shore Front, Ballantrae, ballantrae.org.uk/ foodfestival
15–18 JUNE 9–11 JUNE
UKULELE FESTIVAL OF SCOTLAND MUSIC Easterbrook Hall, Crichton Royal Campus, Bank End Road, Dumfries, ukulelefestivalofscotland.co.uk
The second Ukulele Festival of Scotland featuring concerts, workshops, jam sessions, bus tours, a youth festival and much more. 10-11 JUNE
HORSECROSS YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Perth, horsecross.co.uk
A festival by children and young people, for children and young people, featuring performances and showcases by Horsecross Arts Join In Groups (including Perth Youth Theatre, Horsecross Glee, Perth Youth Dance Company and many more) and performances by professional theatre and dance companies.
CRAIL FOOD FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Various venues, Crail, crailfoodfest.co.uk
15–18 JUNE
A two-day festival in the
FAMILY / LITERATURE
THE BORDERS BOOK FESTIVAL
Harmony Garden, St Mary’s Road, Melrose, bordersbookfestival.org Taking place in the National Trust’s Georgian Harmony Garden, the Borders Book Festival attracts world-class literary figures. 16–21 JUNE
ST MAGNUS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL ART / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Orkney, stmagnusfestival.com
A prestigious music festival that brings international orchestras, recitalists, theatre and literature to the Orkney Islands. The 2017 festival marks the 900th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Magnus, and features the world premieres of new works by Alasdair Nicolson and Stuart MacRae, as well as a new community work about St Magnus’ life, plus a celebration of the links between Orkney and Norway. See Panel, page 46. 16–18 JUNE
KILLIN MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC McLaren Hall, Main Street, Killin, killinmusicfestival.com
Three-day festival of music featuring live bands and artists as well as sessions and workshops throughout the village over the weekend. 16–18 JUNE
THE FISHERFOLK FESTIVAL MUSIC Seaboard Memorial Hall, East Street, Balintore, seaboardcentre.com
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16–18 JUNE
17 & 18 JUNE
EDINBURGH FILM FEST IN THE CITY
BREW AT THE BOG
FILM & TV St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, edinevents.com
Open air film screenings. 16–25 JUNE
MORAY WALKING FESTIVAL OUTDOOR Various venues, Moray, moraywalkingfestival.co.uk
A series of walks in the varied landscape of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Country. Take in the sights along sandy beaches, over hilltops, past railway tracks and in the footsteps of whisky smugglers. 17 JUNE
LAIRG MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC Lairg Community Centre, Main Street, Lairg, lairgcommunitycentre.com
FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Bogbain Adventure & Heritage Farm, Bogbain of Inshes, Drumossie, Inverness, brewatthebog.com
A day of great music and great beer with BrewDog, the coolest craft beer label on the block, and Bogbain Farm, which was voted Scotland’s Best Unusual Venue at the Scottish Event Awards. 2016’s lineup included Idlewild and C Duncan. 17 & 18 JUNE
THE POWER OF FOOD FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Various venues, Edinburgh, poweroffoodfestival.wordpress. com
A festival hosted by community food gardens across Edinburgh, giving foodies the chance to go on location and experience how grub is grown.
A day packed with competitions for all ages in fiddle, accordion, piano and bands, culminating with a prizewinners concert and guest band.
20 JUNE–2 JULY
17 JUNE
17 JUNE–9 JULY
Coordinated by Scottish Refugee Council, and centred around World Refugee Day on 20 June, this annual festival celebrates the contribution refugees make to Scottish cultural life and the welcome offered by local people. It features more than 100 music, visual art, film, performance, discussion and community-led family events, many of which are free.
HOSPITALFIELD SUMMER FESTIVAL
21 JUNE–2 JULY
FILM & TV Hospitalfield House, Arbroath, hospitalfield.org.uk
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
A series of cultural events including children’s projects, concerts, open weekends, talks, tours and summer schools.
FAMILY / FILM & TV Various venues, Edinburgh, edfilmfest.org.uk
RIVERSIDE ROCK FAMILY / MUSIC Riverside Park, Jedburgh, riversiderock.co.uk
The Scottish Borders premier music festival hosts rock and traditional bands from across the borders and further afield, as well as children’s entertainment.
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REFUGEE FESTIVAL SCOTLAND MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Scotland, refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk
The oldest continually running
film festival in the world, the EIFF draws on its prestige to consistently present abundant programmes of new features, documentaries, retrospectives, shorts, panel discussions and educational workshops, with a few high-profile premieres thrown in for good measure. 21 JUNE–2 JULY
GARIOCH THEATRE FESTIVAL FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Inverurie, gariochtheatrefestival.org.uk
Staging a mix of professional and youth theatre shows alongside community events and exhibitions, this Inverurie-based theatre festival aims to foster new talent by providing training opportunities in a range of theatre skills. 23–25 JUNE
WILDFIRE FESTIVAL MUSIC Wiston Lodge, Wiston, Biggar, wildfirefestival.co.uk
It’s business as usual as a variety of UK and European acts grace the Main Stage and Cack Blabbath Stage. Wearing Scars, the Treatment, Bad Touch, Aaron Buchanan & the Cult Classics, the Texas Flood, Last Bullet, Dirty Thrills, Eva Plays Dead, Pilgrim, Fireroad are already announced for 2017. 23–25 JUNE
SOLAS FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS The Bield, Blackruthven, Tibbermore, solasfestival.co.uk
A midsummer music and arts festival with performances and workshops in world music, theatre, dance, literature and visual arts, as well as talks and debates. Last year’s lineup featured Stanley Odd, Skerryvore and Karine Polwart while the literature programme features Hollie McNish, Kirstin Innes and Alan Bissett. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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Recipe for a great day at the
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Edinburgh Food Festival returns for its third year at Assembly George Square venues, packed full of the best Scottish Produce, demonstrations, sampling and fun activities in the Palace du Variete Spiegletent. ASSEMBLY GEORGE SQUARE
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23–25 JUNE
LARGS LIVE! FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Largs, largslive.com
Music festival across the seaside town that hosted 75 bands and 100 gigs in 2016. There is also street entertainers and family performances. 24 JUNE
EUROPEAN PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS: PIPING AT FORRES FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Grant Park, Victoria Road, Forres, pipingatforres.com
Pipe bands from across the world compete for the illustrious title of European Champions. As well as the pipes and drums, there’s a craft and retail village, highland dance competitions, beer tents and a fairground. 24 & 25 JUNE
Edinburgh International Magic Festival
Leonskaja, the Belcea Quartet and David Orlovsky Trio.
SCOTTISH TRADITIONAL BOAT FESTIVAL
28 JUNE–6 AUGUST
FAMILY / HERITAGE / OUTDOOR Various venues, Portsoy, stbfportsoy.com
FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Various venues, Aberdour, aberdourfestival.org.uk
As traditional boats congregate in the historic harbour, the seaside town of Portsoy celebrates with a festival of music, sailing, rowing and traditional crafts and art.
The picturesque seaside town plays host to an action-packed family-friendly festival. There’s a beach day with a sandcastle competition and fun run, a food market and picnic day, as well as sports, children’s activities and live music
28 JUNE–2 JULY
EAST NEUK FESTIVAL ART / LITERATURE / MUSIC Various venues, East Neuk, Fife, eastneukfestival.com
World-class, critically acclaimed music, art and literature converge on this corner of Fife. Though chamber music remains at the heart of the programme, the festival’s most varied selection yet includes musical surprises, international authors and imaginative artworks, all located in quirky venues. The 2017 lineup includes piano legend Elisabeth 54
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shows and ends with the illustrious Closing Gala, a fast-paced performance of illusion, sleight of hand, circus and mind reading.
ABERDOUR FESTIVAL
30 JUNE–8 JULY
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL MAGIC FESTIVAL FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Edinburgh, magicfest.co.uk
MagicFest presents another programme of close-up conundrums, mindboggling illusions, comic cabaret and other feats of the impossible. The festival features workshops as well as
30 JUNE–2 JULY
NEWCASTLETON TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Newcastleton, newcastleton.com
Family-focused festival of traditional music, with workshops, ceilidhs, concerts and adult and children’s competitions. An attitude of hands-on music making is encouraged. 30 JUNE–1 JULY
IONA VILLAGE HALL MUSIC FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Iona Village Hall, Isle of Iona, ionavillagehall.org
The tiny island of Iona hosts this intimate music festival in the village hall. Previous acts have included Errors, C Duncan, Idlewild, Kathyrn Joseph and Rozi Plain. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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30 JUNE-2 JULY
SCOTTISH GAME FAIR FAMILY / OUTDOORS Scone Palace, Perth, scottishfair.com
Three days of country sport, competitions and main ring events at this family fair. There’s falconry, gun dogs, pipe bands, cookery demonstrations, shooting and a myriad of traders and stalls.
from Banchory Pipe Band and Guarana Street Drummers. JUNE, DATES TBC
MIDSUMMER BEER HAPPENING FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Baird Park, Stonehaven, midsummerbeerhappening.co.uk
30 JUNE–3 JULY
Enjoy an array of Belgian and craft beer along with top real ales at this celebration of brewing. There’s also live music and the finest food the north-east has to offer.
KELBURN GARDEN PARTY
JUNE, DATES TBC
1 & 2 JULY
PAISLEY’S INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF WEAVING HERITAGE Various venues, Paisley, paisley2021.co.uk
A festival reconnecting Paisley’s weaving heritage with its historic textile connections all over the world. The programme features the Sma’ Shot Parade, a historic and colourful pageant, plus cultural activities and performances. See Panel, page 50.
FAMILY / MUSIC Kelburn Castle and Country Centre, Fairlie, Largs, kelburngardenparty.com
WEST END FESTIVAL
1–9 JULY
MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Glasgow, westendfestival.co.uk
SHETLAND NATURE FESTIVAL
Kelburn Castle provides the fairytale setting for this eccentric music festival. The graffiti project for which Kelburn is known is just one of the items of handmade décor, art and lighting that make the event a feast for all the senses. Four stages and various pop-up nooks host the musical programme – an eclectic mix of Scottish talent from the avant garde and experimental to the accessible. There is also a plethora of events for children. 2016’s lineup included Hiatus Kaiyote, James Lavelle’s UNKLEsounds, Souljazz Orchestra, Admiral Fallow, the Correspondents, Stanley Odd, RocketNumberNine, A Skillz, Denis Sulta and many more.
The West End Festival runs every June and encompasses around 400 events in approximately 80 venues across the West End from Maryhill down to Partick and from Charing Cross along to Knightswood. Enjoy music performances, art exhibitions, workshops, walks and more.
FAMILY / OUTDOOR Various venues, Banchory, visitbanchory.com
A community-focused festival for the whole family. Saturday is based in the centre of Banchory and Sunday throughout the surrounding area. Events at the 2016 festival included come-andtry sports, a farmers’ market, a labyrinth and entertainment
From puffins to killer whales, otters to Britain’s rarest flowers, Shetland is a cornucopia of wildlife and this festival wants everybody to know it – and experience it first hand, with a series of guided walks, family days out and evening talks.
JUNE, DATES TBC
1 JULY
FIFE SCIENCE FESTIVAL
GLASGOW COMIC CON
FAMILY / SCIENCE Various venues, Fife, fifesciencefestival.org.uk
ART / FILM & TV /LITERATURE Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, glasgowcomiccon.com
A mobile festival of fun, excitement and inspiration across Fife with exciting events for the whole family.
JULY
JUNE, DATES TBC
BANCHORY RIVER FESTIVAL
FAMILY / OUTDOOR Various venues, Shetland, shetlandnaturefestival.co.uk
A comic convention with the focus very much on comics and their creators, writers, illustrators and readers. There are traders and exhibitors, a cosplay competition and a stacked guest list leading panels, talks and workshops.
1 & 2 JULY
TARBERT SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
2–7 JULY
FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK Tarbert, Loch Fyne, tarbertfestivals.co.uk
MUSIC Various venues, Uist, ceolas.co.uk
An opportunity to sample the internationally renowned seafood (and other types of cuisine) from the waters of Loch Fyne. Offmenu, there is a parade, music and stalls all situated around Tarbert’s picturesque harbour.
CEÒLAS Annual summer school focusing on the connections between Scottish traditional music, Gaelic song and dance, with expert tuition and workshops plus lectures, demonstrations, concerts and ceilidhs, all in the spectacular surroundings of South Uist. 55
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3–9 JULY
THE VILLAGE STORYTELLING FESTIVAL LITERATURE CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, thevillageonline.org.uk
Storytelling festival celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Village Storytelling Centre. 4 JULY–25 AUGUST
THE SKYE FESTIVAL: FÈIS AN EILEIN HERITAGE / MUSIC SEALL at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Sleat, Isle Of Skye, skyefestival. com
Summer arts festival celebrating island culture and performing arts with a strong focus on Scottish
traditional music. Events include charity cafes, art exhibitions, theatre, ceilidhs, environmental days and a community-led fringe programme of house concerts.
perry from small producers based in Scotland, England and Wales.
6–8 JULY
MUSIC Stonehaven Market Square, Stonehaven, stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk
SCOTTISH REAL ALE FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Corn Exchange, 11 New Market Road, Edinburgh, sraf.camra. org.uk
Celebrate the hoppy, malty, tasty world of Scottish brewing. With 170-plus Scottish beers, this is the world’s greatest showcase of our native brews, brought to you by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. The festival also features a range of traditional cider and
6 JULY
STONEHAVEN FOLK FESTIVAL
A lineup combining old favourites and exciting new acts in a programme of concerts, ceilidh, sessions and the Tradition Bearers Concert, as well as more unusual events like the World Paper‘n’Comb Championships and the Aqua Ceilidh. 7–9 JULY
THE ANGUS ACCORDION AND FIDDLE FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Arbroath, aaff. co.uk
A celebration of folk and traditional music. 7–9 JULY
NEWTON STEWART TRADITIONAL & ACOUSTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Newton Stewart, tradmusic.com
One of the newest festivals on the traditional music scene, Newton Stewart is the brainchild of acoustic duo Nathon Jones and Rhona Norris. 7–10 JULY
NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF YOUTH THEATRE THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Ayr, ytas.org.uk/ national-festival-youth-theatre
Scots Makar Jackie Kay will visit Skye for Fèis an Eilein
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The UK’s largest annual gathering of youth theatres features performances, workshops, social activities and festival camping for young people aged 14+. For the first time in six years, the festival is moving to Ayr. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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8–16 JULY
UNSTFEST FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Unst, Shetland Islands, unstfest.org
Britain’s most northerly festival on Britain’s most northerly island is a family-friendly affair with fiddle workshops, go-kart races, film screenings and live music. 9–14 JULY
CANTILENA FESTIVAL ON ISLAY
SPOTLIGHT ON . . . PIPING LIVE! The skirl of the pipes can be heard across Glasgow at this celebration of piping culture. Piping Live! includes outdoor performances by full bands in Buchanan Street and George Square, and informal evening gigs at the Festival Club. Plus, there are competitions such as the Masters Solo Piping Competition or Pipe Idol for musicians aged 21 and under. Previous events have included a Piper’s Market stocking Scottish produce, enjoying a dram or two at drink tastings, and the opportunity to wrestle the doodlesack yourself at ‘try piping’ sessions. The week-long festival culminates in the World Pipe Band Championships, where it’s tartan as far as the eye can see when over 200 bands from around the world congregate on Glasgow Green trying to prove they’re the best in their grade. An extensive food village and beer tents will keep you fuelled until the announcement of the 2017 World Pipe Band Champions. (Rowena McIntosh) ■ Various venues, Glasgow, 7–13 August, pipinglive.co.uk 58
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MUSIC Various venues, Isle Of Islay, cantilenafestival.co.uk
The beautiful island of Islay plays host to a repertoire of worldclass classical music. Focusing on collaboration, education and creativity, the festival encourages participants to push their boundaries, and this is echoed in a summer school that allows local young musicians to work with established creative practitioners. 10–31 JULY
RETINA PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL ART Various venues, Edinburgh, retinafestival.com
Festival of international photography celebrating the best in world photography as well as emerging talent in Scotland. 14–23 JULY
MUSIC AT PAXTON MUSIC Paxton House and Country Park, Paxton, Berwick-uponTweed, musicatpaxton.co.uk
For up to date information on the latest details of festivals across Scotland check out list.co.uk
Top-quality international chamber music in the beautiful surroundings of Paxton House, an 18th-century Palladian mansion near Berwick. 14–16 JULY
TARBERT TRADITIONAL BOAT FESTIVAL FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / HERITAGE Tarbert, Loch Fyne, tarberttraditionalboatsfestival. org.uk
Enjoy the spectacle of a harbour filled with 40 traditional boats (including a full-size replica Viking longship) from across the UK, plus stalls, games, woodworking and boat-building demonstrations, traditional music and more. 14–16 JULY
TIREE MUSIC FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Isle of Tiree, tireemusicfestival.co.uk
Folk and trad music are the stars at this festival, which was voted Best Small Festival at the Scottish Event Awards in 2012 and 2013. The tiny Hebridean island plays host to a weekend of genre-spanning sounds as well as family activities and fringe events. 14–23 JULY
EDINBURGH JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghjazzfestival.com
Scotland’s biggest jazz festival presents concerts over ten days all over the capital, in parks, churches, clubs and concert halls. With a programme featuring all jazz styles from early jazz to the avant garde, the EJ&BF usually manages to secure some world premieres, new bands, and new collaborations. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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15–22 JULY
DUNEDIN INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Scotland, dunedindancers.org.uk
Biannual festival featuring a mix of free outdoor performances in Edinburgh and other locations, as well as a ticketed indoor performance at Edinburgh’s Church Hill Theatre, with invited groups from Spain and Croatia alongside Scottish dance groups.
activities including a sandcastle competition and rock pool guddle, for adults and children. 20–23 JULY
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FASHION FESTIVAL ART Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghinternational fashionfestival.com
A festival incorporating runway shows and glam afterparties, plus more intellectual talks on fashionlinked topics.
15 & 16 JULY
LOSSIEMOUTH FOLK CLUB FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Lossiemouth, Moray
The epitome of chilled festivals, the Lossiemouth Folk Club Fest encourages performers to come and play ‘for the craic’ in the spirit of celebrating traditional music and tales. The entertainment’s free, with performers rewarded with a great atmosphere at this small festival by the sea.
21–23 JULY
REWIND SCOTLAND: THE 80S FESTIVAL MUSIC Scone Palace, Scone, Perth, rewindfestival.com
Rewind goes large on nostalgia with the biggest lineup of 80s artists to perform together in Scotland. The lineup for 2016 included Rick Astley, ABC, Adam Ant, Tony Hadley, Marc Almond, Midge Ure, Leo Sayer and more.
HEBCELT FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Lewis and Harris, hebceltfest.com
The picturesque Hebridean island of Lewis and Harris provides a fitting backdrop for this familyfriendly festival that showcases Celtic, traditional and contemporary music with a strong focus on Gaelic culture. 2017’s lineup includes headliners the Waterboys, former X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan and Tide Lines.
EDINBURGH FOOD FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK George Square Gardens, George Square, Edinburgh, edfoodfest. com
Celebrate all the lovely food and drink that Scotland has to offer. Back for its third year, the Edinburgh Food Festival showcases some of the best Scottish produce while offering demonstrations and activities in the Palace du Variete Spiegletent. 27 JULY–27 AUGUST
CRAIL FESTIVAL
EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL
COMMUNITY / FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Crail, crailfestival. co.uk
ART Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghartfestival.com
As well as musical entertainment, the Crail Festival features art, drama, theatre and outdoor
Scotland’s largest annual celebration of visual art offers work by the best contemporary Scottish
19–29 JULY
27–30 JULY
SOUTHERN FRIED FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Perth, southernfriedfestival.co.uk
Scotland’s festival of American roots music covers all the roots music bases, including blues, country, cajun, gospel, swing and soul. Fill up on workshops, free gigs, local bands and their legendary soul food. 28–30 JULY
BUTEFEST FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Bute, butefest. co.uk
A three-day music festival taking place on the Isle of Bute. The lineup is a mash-up of folk, rock, roots and dance. 28 & 29 JULY
26–30 JULY 19–22 JULY
artists as well as exhibitions of the most important international artists and movements of the 20th century and other historical periods.
LOCH NESS FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Various venues, Loch Ness, lochnessfilmfestival.co.uk
An independent, grassroots festival in a unique location. 28–30 JULY
SURGE FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE Merchant City, Glasgow, surge. scot
A festival dedicated to physical performance, incorporating outdoor, site-specific events and indoor showcases of performance art. Workshops and masterclasses are also provided for those wanting to develop their talents. In collaboration with Merchant City Festival and Roofless. The festival includes Perch Carnival, a site-specific event video-linking Glasgow to Brazil and Australia. 59
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28–30 JULY
SPEYFEST MUSIC Playing Fields, Fochabers, speyfest.com
Well-established as one of the best Celtic and Scottish music festivals in the country with a varied programme of seated concerts, ceilidhs and stomps across three days and nights. The festival lineup features some of the biggest names from the worlds of Scottish traditional and contemporary music. 28–30 JULY
SHINDIG MULTI-ARTS Stirling Old Town Jail, St John Street, Stirling, bestweeparty. com
Boutique arts festival dedicated to putting on home-grown and international talents in the fields of music, comedy, theatre, spoken word, art and many more.
The lineup for 2016 included Emma Pollock, Stanley Odd, Colonel Mustard & the Dijon 5, Wolves, Big Hogg, Blochestra and Young Aviators.
Edinburgh’s festival of old school blues and rock music. 2016’s lineup included Dr Feelgood, Jo Harman Band, Bernie Marsden Band and the Rising Souls.
28–30 JULY
30 JULY–6 AUGUST
RESONATE: TOTAL GAMING
SHETLAND FIDDLE FRENZY
FAMILY SECC, Finnieston Quay, Glasgow, resonatetotalgaming. com
MUSIC Various venues, Shetland, shetlandarts.org
Three-day festival of gaming featuring a professional eSports tournament, a junior ‘gamer zone’, a play hall and a retail zone where gamers can compete and mix with YouTube stars. 29 JULY
EDINBURGH BLUES’N’ROCK FESTIVAL MUSIC Corn Exchange, 11 New Market Road, Edinburgh, ebrf.co.uk
An annual celebration of the Shetland fiddle tradition with events centered on workshops. JULY, DATES TBC
MERCHANT CITY FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Merchant City, Glasgow, merchantcityfestival. com
Comedy, theatre and arts cram themselves into the area’s fashionable buildings, while street performers add to the festival atmosphere.
28 JULY–5 AUGUST
ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL (AIYF)
Foodies Festival
FAMILY / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Aberdeen, aiyf.org
Classical and chamber music, contemporary and traditional dance, jazz and theatre are on offer from a cast of rising international and local stars, with companies travelling from the USA, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Asia to perform. 28–31 JULY
MUGSTOCK FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC / SCIENCE Mugdock Country Park, Craigallion Road, Milngavie, mugstock.org
Boutique festival organised on a not-for-profit basis, featuring music, food, drink, theatre, art, cabaret and ‘sciencey stuff’. 60
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BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Belladrum, Inverness, Highland, tartanheartfestival.co.uk
This favourite of the Scottish music festival scene is back with plenty sonic treats as well as a family-friendly atmosphere, theatre and spoken word events, ceilidhs, arts and crafts workshops, and fancy dress. Sister Sledge, Franz Ferdinand and KT Tunstall have been announced for 2017. 3–13 AUGUST
SUMMER NIGHTS MUSIC Kelvingrove Bandstand and Amphitheatre, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, regularmusic.com
This festival features a series of open air gigs. 2016’s lineup featured Van Morrison, Primal Scream, Eddi Reader and Will Young. 4–26 AUGUST
THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO FAMILY / HERITAGE / MUSIC Castle Esplanade, Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, edintattoo.co.uk
This unique and colourful event draws crowds (and performers) from all over the world with massed pipes and drums, military bands, display teams, dancers, and the haunting lament of the Lone Piper, set against the magnificent backcloth of Edinburgh Castle. 4–6 AUGUST
FOODIES FESTIVAL FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Inverleith Park, Arboretum Place, Edinburgh,
foodiesfestival.com Michelin-starred and awardwinning chefs cook up a storm at this year’s festival dedicated to epicureans, as well as offerings from local producers and workshops for food lovers young and old. 4–28 AUGUST
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Edinburgh, eif.co.uk
Bringing world-class arts to the capital since 1947, the EIF sets the standard for classical concerts, opera, dance and theatre, with performers drawn from around the world. 2016’s event attracted world superstars such as Alan Cumming and Cecilia Barotoli. 4–28 AUGUST
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE COMEDY / FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Edinburgh, edfringe.com
The largest arts festival in the world and the greatest show on earth. Every year thousands of performers take to a multitude of stages all over Edinburgh to present shows for every taste. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festival caters for everyone and includes theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, musicals, operas, music, and exhibitions. 4–6 AUGUST
IGNITION FESTIVAL OF MOTORING HERITAGE SECC, Finnieston Quay, Glasgow, ignitionfestival.co.uk
Motorsport festival with classic cars, motorbikes, supercars and a live test-drive facility.
SPOTLIGHT ON . . . PURVAI FESTIVAL Purvai Festival celebrates the vibrant South Asian culture which is an integrated part of Scottish life today. It was originally inspired by the life and collection of Stornowayborn Colonel Colin Mackenzie, who helped map India in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Purvai project consists of two interdependent elements: a series of initiatives inspired by the Mackenzie Collection, and an ongoing creative exchange programme for artists between India and the Hebrides. Highlights this year include the ‘Colin Mackenzie Collector Extraordinaire’ exhibition; a collaboration examining the connections and heritage of Gaelic psalms and Indian raags by Calum Martin and Dalbir Singh Rattan; and an exploration of Scottish Ceòl Mòr bagpipes by musician Iain Morrison and Delhi-based duo BLOT, which aims to produce an extraordinary mix of electronica, dance beats and imagery. (Kirstyn Smith) ■ An Lanntair, Stornoway, 11–19 August, lanntair.com 61
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Festival delights (clockwise from top left): Caroline Mesquita at EAF; NuShu at the Fringe; Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo; Alan Cumming; IglooVision at EDEF; Glitch at the Fringe 62
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CAPITAL GAMES July and August marks the moment when Edinburgh explodes into a frenzy of activity as the city is gripped with festival fever. Brian Donaldson looks at the enticing events on offer for locals and visitors alike
W
hether you’re a fan of kids’ entertainment, comedy, dance, theatre, music, cabaret, talks or magic, the Scottish capital is the place to keep everyone happy as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (4–28 Aug) heralds another month-long celebration of arts and culture. On almost every corner and in rooms across the city, the Fringe brings us a jaw-dropping range of events. The Edinburgh International Festival (4–28 Aug) is once again matching up with the dates of the Fringe to keep a sense of cultural solidarity alive during August. With its emphasis on virtuosity and originality, the EIF attracts the best in theatre, music, opera and dance to venues such as the Usher Hall, Festival Theatre and Playhouse while, if the last couple of years are anything to go by, there should be a few innovative surprises in store. A genuine bestselling event comes in the form of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (4–26 Aug). A truly invigorating spectacle for all the senses, its music, costumes and firework displays make this a proud staple of the festival calendar. The 2017 event comes under the umbrella of Splash of Tartan, with a variety of performers arriving from all across the globe as the heritage, history and colour of Scotland’s global family is celebrated. For visual art devotees, the Edinburgh Art Festival (27 Jul–27 Aug) will showcase work from painters, photographers, sculptors and multimedia practitioners from home and abroad. The big summer shows at National Galleries will form a core of the EAF programme, but exhibitions, performances, screenings, artist talks and guided tours will keep many parts of the city buzzing. Over at Charlotte Square Gardens, the Edinburgh International Book Festival
(12–28 Aug) has literary types in bookish heaven in a wonderful setting as novelists, poets, biographers, short story writers, politicians and philosophical thinkers from close at home and around the world converge. Both the adult and children’s programme will contain a host of household and emerging names. While the Fringe, International, Tattoo, Art and Book festivals may be seen as the big five throughout the capital’s festival season, there are other events which help make Edinburgh the world’s hottest cultural hub during the summer. The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival (14–23 Jul) marks the official beginning of the city’s festival season with events both inside and outdoors bringing us a splash of colour and blast of sound as acts from across the world deliver ten days of contemporary and traditional delights. August’s Festival of Politics will take place in the atmospheric setting of the Scottish Parliament and features talks, films, debates and discussions while there will be entertainment galore in the café area. For those into tech matters, August welcomes the Turing Festival and the second Edinburgh Digital Entertainment Festival which will keep us up to date with innovations and technological developments in the worlds of science and entertainment, while for fashionlovers, the Edinburgh International Fashion Festival rolls into town during July. Foodies can sample Scotland’s finest produce at Edinburgh Food Festival (26–30 Jul), with demonstrations and activities in the Palace du Variete Spiegletent. Finally, TV-land comes to the capital as Edinburgh International Television Festival (23–25 Aug) encourages some famous names to drop into Scotland with talks and events centred on where the small screen world is headed. 63
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4–13 AUGUST
BALLATER VICTORIA WEEK FAMILY / HERITAGE Various venues, Ballater, ballatervictoriaweek.co.uk
Ballater Victoria Week brings together numerous sections of the community to lay on a host of fun activities for folk of different ages. 5–13 AUGUST
PITTENWEEM ARTS FESTIVAL ART / FAMILY Various venues, Pittenweem, pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk
In this small and friendly village, the harbour’s fishing boats, steep wynds and quirky cottages provide a picturesque backdrop as over 100 artists from all over Britain exhibit their work in houses, garages, halls and shops, and on the pier.
all about these historic motors and enjoy family entertainment. 7–13 AUGUST
PIPING LIVE! FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Glasgow, pipinglive.co.uk
A week-long celebration of piping, including contemporary and trad, solo and pipe bands. The World Pipe Band Championships takes place on the penultimate day at Glasgow Green, with free performances in the George Square area. See Spotlight On, page 60. 11–19 AUGUST
PURVAI FESTIVAL MUSIC An Lanntair Arts Centre and Cinema, Kenneth Street,
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, lanntair.com The Purvai Festival promotes and engages audiences with the rich historic links between India and Scotland focussing on how this vibrant South Asian culture has integrated into contemporary Scottish life. See Spotlight On, page 63. 11–13 AUGUST
BANCHORY BEER FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Deeside RFC, Woodend Playing Fields, Crathes, Banchory, banchorybeerfestival.com
Weekend summer festival offering beer, gin, cider, Scotland’s first rum and prosecco. There’s live music and street food vendors while Sunday is a family-friendly day.
Truckfest
5 & 6 AUGUST
TRUCKFEST FAMILY Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, truckfest.co.uk
The United Kingdom’s largest truck festival with plenty of entertainment for all the family. 5 & 6 AUGUST
ARBROATH SEA FEST FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / HERITAGE Various venues, Arbroath, arbroathseafest.co.uk
Annual festival of maritime heritage, including the star of the show, the Smokie Trail with around 70 stalls packed with fresh seafood along Arbroath harbour. 6 AUGUST
LARGS CLASSIC CARS FAMILY Largs Prom, Largs, facebook. com/LargsClassicCars
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The World, in Words. 850 authors, 750 events, bookshops and cafĂŠ-bars in one leafy tented garden. Programme launch 8 June Tickets on sale from 19 June edbookfest.co.uk @edbookfest
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12 & 13 AUGUST
AMAZING AGES! FAMILY / HERITAGE Fort George, Old Military Road, Ardersier, Inverness, historicenvironment.scot/events
Hundreds of performers bring to life the fascinating history of Fort George. 12–28 AUGUST
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL FAMILY / LITERATURE Charlotte Square Gardens, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, edbookfest.co.uk
SCOTTISH ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH Organised by Archaeology Scotland, this near two-month festival is a celebration of the archaeology, history and heritage of Scotland. Hundreds of events take place from Shetland to the Scottish Borders (with most packed into September), giving visitors the chance to explore their area’s past. There are free talks, tours, workshops, exhibitions, and activities for people of all ages and interests. In 2016, East Lothian held Family History Days, giving children a chance to understand more about their family tree, while in Dumfries and Galloway, guests were able to view a collection of silver made by Scottish craftsmen from the 16th century onwards. Over in Dundee, animal bone specialists talked about creatures from Celtic mythology and the Celts exhibition in Edinburgh was organised in partnership with the British Museum to explore the complex story of the different groups who used or were given the name ‘Celts’ through the extraordinary artefacts they created. Running alongside Scottish Archaeology Month is Doors Open Days, Scotland’s biggest free architectural event where hidden gems are revealed to the public as a way of celebrating Scotland’s fascinating buildings. Doors Open Days and Scottish Archaeology Month form Scotland’s contribution to European Heritage Days which takes place in the 50 countries that are part of the European Cultural Convention. By widening opportunities and giving the public access to interesting sites, the initiative aims to encourage care for architectural and environmental heritage. (Louise Stoddart) ■ Various venues, Scotland, 21 August–16 October, archaeologyscotland. org.uk 66
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The world’s largest public celebration of the written word takes place in the first UNESCO City of Literature among the beautiful Charlotte Square Gardens. As well as leading Scottish and international authors, the varied programme covers poets, politicians, historians, journalists and children’s authors, and Unbound, a free cabaret-style evening event ensures that the literary fun runs far into the night. 12 & 13 AUGUST
CARNIVAL FIFTY SIX MUSIC Camperdown Country Park, Coupar Angus Road, Dundee, carnivalfiftysix.co.uk
New two-day music festival for Dundee which boldly promises ‘the best weekend of your summer’. For your info, the Fifty Six marks the Northern coordinate of Camperdown Park. 12 & 13 AUGUST
PARTY AT THE PALACE MUSIC Linlithgow Palace, Kirkgate, Linlithgow, partyatthepalace. co.uk
Music royalty performs against the backdrop of Linlithgow LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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Palace over two days of live music at this family friendly event.
theatre, comedy and spoken word performances, focussing on the nation’s independent / DIY cultural scene. 24 AUGUST–3 SEPTEMBER
The stationary meets the cyclical at this celebration of literature, thought and the outdoors in the Borders. Events include literary and woodland walks, and storytelling cycle rides.
CREATIVE PEEBLES FESTIVAL
26 AUGUST–25 SEPTEMBER
16–20 AUGUST
MULL OF KINTYRE MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Mull of Kintyre, mokfest.com
Traditional and contemporary Scottish and Irish music based in Campbeltown, Kintyre (aka The Cradle of the Nation) on the west coast of Scotland. The festival offers up a mix of concerts, ceilidhs, music sessions, workshops, children’s entertainment, parades, cultural and heritage tours. 17–28 AUGUST
MARYMASS FESTIVAL FAMILY / HERITAGE Various venues, Irvine, marymassfestival.com
Traditional and contemporary events including the Crowning of the Marymass Queen and the Marymass Folk Festival. This historic event dates back to the 17th century and celebrates history, tradition and heritage.
MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Peebles, peeblesartsfestival.org
The only cross-platform multi-arts festival in the Borders. The fare on offer includes music by local performers, visual art representing the local area, author readings, theatre performances, a crafts fair and tours.
INNERLEITHEN MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC Innerleithen Memorial Hall, Leithen Road, Innerleithen, innerleithenmusicfestival.org
An established Celtic music festival that augments its lineup of local musicians, sessions, traditional singing and street with a selection of international stars.
DOUNE THE RABBIT HOLE FAMILY /MUSIC Cardross Estate, Port of Menteith, dounetherabbithole. co.uk
A boutique music festival that manages a lovely lineup of music,
TechFest continues to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics fun and accessible to children and young people of all ages. 28 AUGUST–3 SEPTEMBER
PAISLEY MAKE
SCREENPLAY
ART Various venues, Paisley, paisleymake.com
FILM & TV Various venues, Shetland, shetlandarts.org/our-work/ festivals/screenplay
Shetland’s annual screen festival is curated by film historian Linda Ruth Williams and movie critic Mark Kermode, alongside Shetland Arts’ Kathy Hubbard. It features a feast of film screenings, lectures and panel discussions.
THE TROSSACHS BEER FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK The Lade Inn, Kilmahog, Callander, scottishrealales.com
A traditional beer festival with live folk music at weekends, food from the Inn’s kitchen and a chance to sample some of the 160 Scottish real ales from the Scottish Real Ale Shop. 26 & 27 AUGUST
18–20 AUGUST
FAMILY / SCIENCE Various venues, Aberdeen, techfestsetpoint.org.uk/tis
24 AUGUST–3 SEPTEMBER
25 AUGUST–10 SEPTEMBER 18–20 AUGUST
TECHFEST
BEYOND BORDERS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE AND THOUGHT FAMILY / LITERATURE / OUTDOOR Traquair House, Innerleithen, beyondbordersscotland.com
A celebration of Paisley’s textile heritage with industry expert speaker sessions and the chance to learn new skills at drop-in workshops. 31 AUGUST–2 SEPTEMBER
SKYE BOOK FESTIVAL FAMILY / LITERATURE Aros Centre, Viewfield Road, Portree, Isle of Skye, aros. co.uk
A variety of events including storytelling, an antiquated book fair and leading novelists, poets, historians and children’s authors, travelling to Skye to meet their readers and talk about their work. AUGUST, DATES TBC
CRAIGNISH ARTS FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS Craignish Village Hall, Lochgilphead, craignish.org.uk
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AUGUST, DATES TBC
EDINBURGH DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL
FRINGE BY THE SEA
FILM & TV Various venues, Edinburgh, edef.co.uk
SPOTLIGHT ON . . . BORDERS HERITAGE FESTIVAL The Scottish Borders is the backdrop for some of the most tumultuous events in Scotland’s history. Many battles for Scottish independence were fought here, and for centuries the Border Reivers criss-crossed the countryside in search of plunder. Some of the prettiest countryside in Scotland was the backdrop for some of its bloodiest deeds: these are where the dark Border ballads hail from, which inspired poets from Burns to Dylan and beyond. The Borders Heritage Festival is a region-wide celebration of the rolling landscape and historydrenched legacy of the area, with walking tours, living history events, museum tours, talks, and theatre shows. You can explore Iron Age sites, see fascinating recent attractions such as the Giant Polish Map of Scotland, or visit Abbotsford, home of the area’s most famous chronicler, Sir Walter Scott. Ultimately, it’s about revelling in the history and archaeology among some of the nation’s top scenery. (Alex Johnston) ■ Various venues, Scottish Borders, 1–30 September, scotborders.gov.uk 68
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Event cinema screenings of world-class theatre, ballet, opera, special events and art exhibitions. Plus talks and demonstrations on technology, including the chance to dabble in some virtual reality.
MULTI-ARTS Various venues, North Berwick, fringebythesea.co.uk
With a spot of sea air and an entertaining lineup of music, comedy, theatre, film, author, and children’s events, North Berwick’s multi-arts festival offers a respite from the madness of Edinburgh. AUGUST, DATES TBC
AUGUST, DATES TBC
GROOVE LOCH NESS
TURING FESTIVAL
MUSIC Clune Farm, Dores, groovefestival.co.uk
MUSIC / SCIENCE Various venues, Edinburgh, turingfestival.com
This festival focuses on technology and can be relied upon for some appearances by big names from the digital community. AUGUST, DATES TBC
MIDLOTHIAN WALKING FESTIVAL
International DJs are joined by a wealth of talent from across the country to transform the world famous location into Scotland’s biggest nightclub under the stars.
SEPTEMBER
FAMILY / OUTDOOR Various venues, Midlothian, midlothian.gov.uk
1–30 SEPTEMBER
A range of activities take place over this festival, including a chance to try a guided walk, Nordic walking or canicross.
FAMILY / HERITAGE / MUSIC Various venues, Scottish Borders, scotborders.gov.uk/ heritagefestival
AUGUST, DATES TBC
FESTIVAL OF POLITICS FAMILY / POLITICS Various venues, Edinburgh, festivalofpolitics.org.uk
An innovative festival that combines the worlds of politics, media and the arts. AUGUST, DATES TBC
JOHNSHAVEN FISH FESTIVAL
BORDERS HERITAGE FESTIVAL
A series of events including walks, talks, theatre, and living history to help uncover the rich heritage of the Borders across a number of historic time frames. See Spotlight On, page 68. 1–10 SEPTEMBER
MCLELLAN ARTS FESTIVAL
OUTDOORS Harbour, Johnshaven, johnshaven.com
FILM & TV / LITERATURE / MUSIC Various venues, Arran, arrantheatreandarts.org/ index.php/mclellan-festival
This annual fish festival is held in the village’s harbour area during the first two weeks of August, and attracts thousands of visitors.
A celebration of emerging Scottish writing talent across all genres, inspired by the late great playwright Robert McLellan (1907–1985). LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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1–3 SEPTEMBER
MILLPORT COUNTRY & WESTERN FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Millport, millportcountryandwestern.co.uk
A rootin’ tootin’ weekend of country and western gigs across several venues on the Isle of Cumbrae. 1–3 SEPTEMBER
DUNDEE FLOWER AND FOOD FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Camperdown Country Park, Coupar Angus Road, Dundee, dundeeflowerandfoodfestival. com
A delicious staple in the Dundee calendar, with food and drink tastings, demonstrations and competitions. There’s also a programme of live music and performance. 1 & 2 SEPTEMBER
ELECTRIC FIELDS MUSIC Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate, Thornhill, Dumfries, electricfieldsfestival.com
Music festival set in the Dumfriesshire hills, with a focus on Scottish talent. 2016’s lineup included Primal Scream, Everything Everything, the Charlatans, Wild Beasts, the Twilight Sad and Sugarhill Gang.
Cycling events in and around Angus, including the Enduro Mountain Bike Race, family friendly cycle rides, toddle balance bike races, and much more. 2–9 SEPTEMBER
FOLLOW THE VIKINGS ROADSHOW & FESTIVAL FAMILY / HERITAGE Various venues, Shetland, shetland.gov.uk
Experience Viking heritage on a scale never before seen in Shetland with activities including stepping aboard a long ship and dining at a Viking banquet. 2–10 SEPTEMBER
LARGS VIKING FESTIVAL FAMILY / HERITAGE The Promenade, Largs, largsvikingfestival.com
On the Battle of Largs’ anniversary, meet King Alexander of Scotland and King Haakon of Norway with living history installations in a 13th-century living history village. There are craft demonstrations, a Scottish food fayre and on-stage entertainment. It all culminates with a Viking Festival of Fire featuring a torchlight procession, Viking skirmish, the burning of a symbolic Viking Longship and a firework display on the last Saturday. 2 & 3 SEPTEMBER
FAMILY / MUSIC Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith, midstockfestival.com
FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK Various venues, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, huntlyhairst.co.uk
Scottish bands, musicians and DJs are complemented by local food and family activities at this one-day festival.
A community festival featuring a wide variety of things to see and do which are all connected to the culture and life of Huntly’s farming community. Local musicians provide the backdrop to a series of literature and foodie events. Among competitions for cooking and baking, the hotly contested World Stovie Championships seeks to crown a new victor.
2 & 3 SEPTEMBER
ANGUS CYCLING FESTIVAL OUTDOOR Various venues, Angus, anguscyclehub.co.uk
SKYE LIVE Set on the idyllic Isle of Skye, surrounded by its rugged landscape and stunning coastline, Skye Live is an intimate yet popular boutique music event that brings together a mix of electronic, contemporary and traditional acts. Founded in 2015, the festival doubled its audience numbers last year resulting in a change of location to accommodate enthusiastic crowds. Last year’s weekender featured headline slots from Simian Mobile Disco, Jackmaster and Public Service Broadcasting as well as traditional Scottish heavyweights Treacherous Orchestra, Rura, Skipinnish and Niteworks. With Skye recently voted the most desirable place to live in Britain, what better time to spend a weekend on the island, soaking up the festival atmosphere and enjoying some delicious local produce? Skye Live 2017 promises the same fusion of genres, with traditional music, bands, DJs, and dance acts on the bill, along with excellent food and drink courtesy of Skye’s finest foodies. (Arusa Qureshi) ■ Portree, Isle of Skye, 22 & 23 September, skyelive.scot
PHOTO: HARRY MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY
MIDSTOCK FESTIVAL
HUNTLY HAIRST FOOD AND FARMING FESTIVAL
2 SEPTEMBER
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
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Lammermuir Festival at St Mary’s Church, Haddington
Lammermuir Festival
3–9 SEPTEMBER
BORDERS WALKING FESTIVAL OUTDOOR Various venues, Pebbles, borderswalking.com
The 23rd Scottish Borders Walking Festival takes place in Peebles, with walks for a range of abilities. 7–13 SEPTEMBER
ORKNEY INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL FAMILY / SCIENCE Various venues, Orkney, oisf.org
A series of innovative talks and inspiring events with guest speakers covering all aspects of science. The festival includes social events in the evenings. 8–10 SEPTEMBER
LIVE @ TROON MUSIC FESTIVAL
well as its fair share of choirs and folk artists. 8 & 9 SEPTEMBER
BOOTSTOCK MUSIC Resolis Memorial Hall, Resolis, Balblair, Dingwall, bootstock.org
Annual music festival to help fund educational opportunities for disadvantaged children in the poorest regions of Nepal. 8–10 SEPTEMBER
BLOODY SCOTLAND LITERATURE Various venues, Stirling, bloodyscotland.com
An innovative festival drawing on Scotland’s love of the literary macabre and celebrating crime writing by bringing together leading Scottish and international writers, showcasing debut voices and encouraging new writers.
MUSIC Various venues, Troon, liveattroon.com
9-17 SEPTEMBER
Weekend music festival with strong headliners year by year, as
ART Various venues, Aberdeenshire,
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NORTH EAST OPEN STUDIOS
northeastopenstudios.co.uk Gain insight into the creative process and see some brand new art works in a series of studio open days all across the north-east of Scotland. 9 SEPTEMBER
HORSEPOWER HERITAGE The Kelpies, The Helix, Grangemouth, thehelix.co.uk
A celebration of our relationship and reliance on horses hosted at the Kelpies, the world’s largest equine sculptures. See Spotlight On, page 71. 9 & 10 SEPTEMBER
BEST OF THE WEST FESTIVAL FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Inveraray Castle, Inveraray, bowfest.co.uk
Set in the stunning venue of Inveraray Castle’s grounds, this family-friendly festival highlights the best in food, drink, craft, music and entertainment from the West of Scotland. From fine crafts LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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to excellent food, and local pipe bands to world-famous headline music acts, the programme offers a range of children’s activities, horse riding and archery.
15–17 SEPTEMBER
9–17 SEPTEMBER
A high-quality artistic programme that brings Scottish and international musicians together in a unique location. The festival features a taste of Islay, so watch out for hand-dived scallops, crabs, chocolates, homebaking, and, of course, Lagavulin.
ROYAL DEESIDE CYCLING FESTIVAL OUTDOOR Various venues, Ballater, visitballater.com
A week of family-friendly events to support the Etape Royale, Scotland’s only 100-mile closed road cycle sportive. 11–17 SEPTEMBER
CEOL CHOLASA MUSIC Various venues, Colonsay, Isle of Colonsay, ceolcholasa.co.uk
Four-day folky fest on the Island of Colonsay with some great acts appearing. 2016 featured Claire Hastings, Hungrytown and Dàimh. This is the festival’s tenth year and as well as music, the programme includes talks, exhibitions, guided walks of Colonsay and food events. 12–17 SEPTEMBER
NAIRN BOOK AND ARTS FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Nairn, nairnfestival.co.uk
A range of musical, literary and artistic events with a fringe drawing on the talents of the local community. The programme features a Kids’ Day, workshops, author events, a food fair, and poetry readings.
LAGAVULIN ISLAY JAZZ FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Isle of Islay, islayjazzfestival.co.uk
15–17 SEPTEMBER
THE DOUGLASDALE GAITHERIN FAMILY / MUSIC St Brides Centre, Braehead, Douglas, douglasdalefolkfestival.com
Small, friendly and affordable festival with something to suit every folky’s taste in a programme of concerts, workshops and pub sessions. 15–24 SEPTEMBER
LAMMERMUIR FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, East Lothian, lammermuirfestival.co.uk
This event presents great music in picturesque surroundings. The 2017 festival features performances from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Steven Osborne, Quatuor Mosaïques, Orlando Consort, Red Note Ensemble, Tenebrae and others. 15–17 SEPTEMBER
12–16 SEPTEMBER
SPIRIT OF MORAY BOOK FESTIVAL
SCOTTISH ADVENTURE TRAVEL FILM FESTIVAL
LITERATURE Elgin Library, Cooper Park, Elgin, moray.gov.uk
FILM & TV Inverewe Garden, Poolewe, adventuretravelfilmfestival.com/ scottish-festival
A celebration of writing, illustration and publishing in Scotland at this local festival that attracts renowned Scottish authors.
A celebration of adventure travel films based around two days of camping in the Highland countryside.
SPOTLIGHT ON . . . HORSEPOWER A new festival for 2017, Horsepower celebrates our relationship and reliance on the horse. Equine history and archaeology are brought to life with a wide range of activities set to appeal to audiences of all ages. Where better to host a festival dedicated to the horse than The Helix Park, home to those magnificent Kelpies, the world’s largest equine sculptures. Erected in 2013, they are 30 metres high and weigh 300 tonnes each. The Kelpies have already been the backdrop to a number of sell-out outdoor events including an annual Supernova 5k Run that takes place after nightfall, a glow ride where participants cycled around the park on bikes decked out with lights and glow sticks, and a New Year’s Day Fire and Light Walk with firebreathers, a lantern installation and a giant Jack Frost. (Rowena McIntosh) ■ Helix Park, 9 September, thehelix.co.uk 71
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15 & 16 SEPTEMBER
OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Eden Court Theatre and Cinema, Bishop’s Road, Inverness, oceanfilmfestival. co.uk
Wigtown Book Festival
A selection of remarkable documentaries celebrating the beauty and power of the world’s oceans. 20–30 SEPTEMBER
TAKE ONE ACTION FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV / POLITICS Various venues, Glasgow & Edinburgh, takeoneaction.org.uk
A film festival with a political slant, founded on the belief that ‘cinematic experiences can inspire lasting change’ and offering a series of talks and programmes showing how films can be used to empower communities on an international stage. 20 & 21 SEPTEMBER
THE SCOTTISH LEARNING FESTIVAL SCIENCE SECC, Finnieston Quay, Glasgow, slfexhibition.com
SLF is the biggest education conference and exhibition in Scotland and has something to offer everyone.
Book Town buzzes with book events as well as theatre, music and visual arts, site-specific events in quirky venues, and a ceilidh.
22 SEPTEMBER–1 OCTOBER
22–24 SEPTEMBER
Chapel Street, Moniaive, moniaivebluegrass.co.uk Bluegrass, old time and Americana music in Moniaive, the beautiful music village of southwest Scotland, with a festival which began in 2009.
WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL
TIDELINES BOOK FESTIVAL
22–24 SEPTEMBER
FAMILY / LITERATURE Various venues, Wigtown, wigtownbookfestival.com
FAMILY / LITERATURE Various venues, Largs, tidelinesbookfest.com
For ten days, Scotland’s National
Largs-based book festival with a great little lineup of events for kids and adults alike.
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22 & 23 SEPTEMBER
MONIAIVE MICHAELMAS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL MUSIC Glencairn Memorial Institute,
DUNBAR TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Dunbar, East Lothian, dunbarmusicfestival. co.uk
As it approaches its silver anniversary, the DTMF has a back catalogue filled with some of Scotland’s best loved music names, including Phil Cunningham, Aly Bain, Sandy Legget and Ian Davison. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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Shetland Arts’ annual celebration of the Shetland fiddle 30 JulY - 6 AUGUST 2017 tradition.
WWW.SHETLANDARTS.ORG
24 Aug 3 Sep ‘17 Shetland’s annual ďŹ lm festival curated by Linda Ruth Williams & Mark Kermode
WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL 22 SEPTEMBER - 1 OCTOBER 2017
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22 & 23 SEPTEMBER
SKYE LIVE MUSIC Various venues, Portree, Isle of Skye, skyelive.scot
A music and clubs extravaganza on Skye. See Spotlight On, page 69.
Brodick, Isle Of Arran, northlightheritage.co.uk An examination and celebration of Bronze Age Arran with boat building, fire-lighting, demonstrations, craftwork and historical talks. 24 SEPTEMBER
23 SEPTEMBER–1 OCTOBER
SHETLAND WOOL WEEK FAMILY Various venues, Shetland, shetlandwoolweek.com
Shetland’s textile industry celebrates the sheep that catapulted it to fame with masterclasses, workshops and events led by professionals from the textile and design industry, along with a market and exhibitions.
BAXTERS LOCH NESS MARATHON AND FESTIVAL OF RUNNING FAMILY Bught Park, Bught Road, Inverness, lochnessmarathon. com
23 SEPTEMBER
A family-friendly day based around all things running, with a choice of lengths for the fitness minded, from a full marathon to a cheeky 5k with a ‘Wee Nessie’ option for the under 5s. There’s also an Event Village at the finish line with a food and drink fair.
BURNING THE CIRCLE – BRONZE AGE FESTIVAL
27–29 SEPTEMBER
FAMILY / HERITAGE Brodick Castle & Country Park,
DUNFERMLINE FOLK WEEKEND
MUSIC Various venues, Dunfermline, dunfermlinefolkclub.co.uk
Opening with a family ceilidh on the Friday evening, the weekend proceeds with a selection of workshops, sessions, open stage, family events, and concerts, run by a folk club that’s been in existence now for over 50 years. 27 SEPTEMBER–15 OCTOBER
BALERNO MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Balerno, balernomusicfestival.org.uk
The community-run music festival celebrates its tenth year with folk and classical concerts, workshops and a distinctly family feel. 27 SEPTEMBER–1 OCTOBER
SCOTTISH QUEER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV / POLITICS Various venues, Glasgow, sqiff. org
Now in its third year, SQIFF hosts features, short film screenings, workshops, discussions and nights out. 28 SEPTEMBER–1 OCTOBER
THE CUMNOCK TRYST MUSIC Various venues, Cumnock, thecumnocktryst.com
The Cumnock Tryst is a music festival launched in 2013 by eminent composer and local boy James MacMillan, with Nicola Benedetti as its patron. Brass and choral music are two especially strong traditions in Cumnock. 29 SEPTEMBER–1 OCTOBER
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MUSIC Various venues, Callander, callanderjazz.com LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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The 12th Callander Jazz and Blues Festival takes place amid the beautiful surroundings of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. There are music and dance workshops, open mic and jam sessions, street parades, and a jazz and blues cruise aboard the SS Sir Walter Scott. 29 & 30 SEPTEMBER
LOOPALLU MUSIC Broomfield Holiday Park, West Lane, Ullapool, loopallu.co.uk
This intimate music fest located in the spectacular surroundings of Ullapool was inaugurated in 2005. 2016’s lineup included Feeder, the Stranglers, the Wonder Stuff, and Fatherson. 30 SEPTEMBER–15 OCTOBER
HIGHLAND ARCHAEOLOGY FESTIVAL HERITAGE / OUTDOOR Various venues, Highland, highlandarchaeologyfestival.org
A fortnight of investigations into Scotland’s ancient past, including walks, practical demonstrations, family events, self-guided trails, insights into recent research, historical talks, and plenty of chances for visitors to get their hands dirty exploring what lies beneath this famous landscape. SEPTEMBER, DATES TBC
LINLITHGOW FOLK FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Linlithgow, linlithgowfolk.com
Billed as ‘the world’s finest feast of traditional storytelling’, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival is a 12-day celebration of stories, oral tradition and pure imagination. The festival is now officially in its late 20s, with 2017 marking its 28th year. Based in Edinburgh, the majority of events take place in and around the Scottish Storytelling Centre during the month of October. Though it may be rooted in Auld Reekie, the festival’s reach is entirely international, with last year’s programme featuring invited guests from Spain as well as Central and South America. Much like the art of storytelling itself, the programme is diverse, comprising events for adults, children and families, with workshops, talks and lectures, exhibitions, and professional networking opportunities. All individual events do have one thing in common, however: an element of spontaneity which reflects the old traveller proverb that ‘a story is told eye to eye, mind to mind, heart to heart’. In other words, while events can be programmed, planned and prepared for in advance, what makes storytelling special is the informal and improvised element it carries. Just like a good story, this festival has developed as time goes on. In its inaugural year, it welcomed 700 attendees: that number has now increased to around 23,000. It’s easy to see the growing appeal: sitting around an open hearth hearing songs, stories and ballads sounds like a nice way to spend a week and a half in October. (Rebecca Monks) ■ Various venues, Edinburgh, 20–31 October, tracscotland.org/festivals/ scottish-international-storytelling-festival 75
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PHOTO: ROBERTO RICCUITI
Born from Linlithgow’s highly active music scene, the town’s Folk Festival has featured big names such as Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain in the past, along with music covering the whole spectrum of folk tastes. With musical workshops and familyoriented events, this is ‘friendly folk in Linlithgow’.
SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
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SEPTEMBER, DATES TBC
BLAS FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS
1–31 OCTOBER
Various venues, Highlands and Argyll, blas-festival.com Top-notch multi-arts programme. See Spotlight On, left.
THE MACKINTOSH FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER, DATES TBC
Festival celebrating the creative genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The programme includes exhibitions and tours as well as the opportunity to express your own creativity through workshops and activities.
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS FESTIVAL HERITAGE Various venues, Kinross, maryqueenofscotsfestival.co.uk
SPOTLIGHT ON . . . BLAS Blas is a celebration of Highland and Gaelic culture, focusing on music through a strong programme of Scottish and European acts. The 2016 event featured Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Sharon Shannon, and Cape Breton’s Nuallan. There are also ceilidhs, plays, poetry and dance spread over nine days across the Highlands with performances in Inverness, Fort William, Oban, Gairloch, Portree and plenty of other wee locations along the way. A schools programme and the annual Blas commission add to the all-inclusive nature that makes this festival such a joy. Last year’s commission – Beul na h-Oidhche gu Camhanaich (Mouth of the Night to First Light) – was a celebration of the Scottish skies as they move from dusk to dawn, featuring Mary Ann Kennedy and Nick Turner. This travelling festival brings the best of Scottish traditional arts to the Highlands and Argyll. (Henry Northmore) ■ Various venues, Highlands and Argyll, September, dates tbc, blas-festival.com 76
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A celebration of the rich culture, history and heritage of the Kinross area, most notably its famed connection to Mary Queen of Scots. The programme features living history encampments and children’s entertainment. SEPTEMBER, DATES TBC
TRUE NORTH MUSIC Various venues, Aberdeen, aberdeenperformingarts.com/ truenorth
Billing itself as ‘Aberdeen’s festival of music and song’, this features some top UK songwriting talent. SEPTEMBER, DATES TBC
HEBRIDES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Various venues, Western Isles, hebfilmfestival.org
ART / HERITAGE Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowmackintosh.com/festival
1–31 OCTOBER
LUMINATE: SCOTLAND’S CREATIVE AGEING FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Scotland, luminatescotland.org
Luminate celebrates our creative lives as we age by offering a wide range of inspirational arts activities with, by, and for older people, as well as creative events bringing generations together. 5–9 OCTOBER
SHETLAND ACCORDION AND FIDDLE FESTIVAL HERITAGE / MUSIC Various venues, Shetland, shetlandaccordionandfiddle. com
Visiting and local acts join together in a Shetland knees-up to warm the October evenings with fine trad music.
A lineup of international and Scottish environmental features, documentaries and shorts.
5–8 OCTOBER
SEPTEMBER, DATES TBC
COMMUNITY Various venues, Edinburgh, bearscots.org.uk
ISLE OF JURA MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Isle of Jura, juramusicfestival.com Island festival of Scottish music which encourages local talent with workshops and sessions, completing the bill with established acts.
BEARSCOTFEST
Those cuddly fellas at the BearScots once again welcome ‘bears, cubs, chasers, otters and admirers’ for a weekend of furry fun at the largest event of its kind across the country. The festival includes club nights, brunches and sightseeing, culminating in the crowning of Mr BearScot. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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5–15 OCTOBER
EDINBURGH RESTAURANT FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Various venues, Edinburgh, edinevents.com/edinburghrestaurant-festival
SPOTLIGHT ON . . . DUNDEE LITERARY FESTIVAL Launched in 2007, the Dundee Literary Festival is a university-led event celebrating ideas, words and books. Bonar Hall serves as the festival hub, with a pop-up bookshop and Ms Battenberg’s Travelling Tea Room creating a haven for bookworms. The programme covers a mix of literary genres, including crime, autobiography, children’s literature and comics, with events focused on Scots, Gaelic and literature in translation. Hear authors discuss their work, unleash your creativity at workshops in poetry or comic art, listen to showcases of new writers and visit the Ex Libris Book Fair to buy small presses and indie comics. The programme maintains its diversity through regular collaborations with other festivals and organisations: 2016 events included a tea dance celebrating The Broons and Oor Wullie at 80 with Luminate, and conversations on mental illness in literature with Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. (Rowena McIntosh) ■ Various venues, Dundee, 18–22 October, literarydundee.co.uk/ dundee-literary-festival 78
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Foodie events and offers at Edinburgh bars and restaurants. From fine dining to innovative popups, Edinburgh is a top destination for food lovers. Now in its fourth year, this food festival brings award-winning restaurants and neighbourhood bistros together to showcase the very best of Edinburgh’s dining scene.
several top manufacturers of bespoke guitars. 7 & 8 OCTOBER
SHINING LIVES ART / HERITAGE New Lanark World Heritage Site, Lanark, newlanark.org
A spectacular light and sound projection on the New Lanark World Heritage Site buildings that uses historic images and video footage from New Lanark and the surrounding area together with music, lighting and some living history. 11–15 OCTOBER
6 & 7 OCTOBER
OKTOBERFEST
INVERURIE BEER FESTIVAL
FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, edinburghoktoberfest.co.uk
FOOD & DRINK Thainstone Centre, Thainstone, Inverurie, inveruriebeerfestival. com
A beer festival which also celebrates cider, gin and Scotland’s first rum. To line your stomach, street food vendors are on hand with a selection of tasty treats, and when you’re all full up, you can kick back and listen to some live music.
Party like you’re in Bavaria, minus the plane fare. Drink the beer, eat the bratwurst, wear the lederhosen and party the night away, stein in hand. There’s even a family-friendly Sunday lunch for the small ones. The same company also hold Oktoberfest events in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. 12–28 OCTOBER
6–9 OCTOBER
DANCELIVE
ABERDEEN AFROLATIN FESTIVAL
FAMILY / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Aberdeen, dancelivefestival.co.uk
THEATRE & DANCE The Hallmark Hotel, Farburn Terrace, Dyce, internationallatinfusion.co.uk
A weekend of Latin dancing, workshops, performances and more. 6–8 OCTOBER
ULLAPOOL GUITAR FESTIVAL MUSIC The Macphail Centre, Mill Street, Ullapool, ullapoolguitarfestival. com
One for lovers and players of the six-string with a combination of workshops, concerts, late-night sessions and a trade fair with
This annual festival celebrates – and is exclusively devoted to – the world of contemporary dance. The busy programme draws some high-quality companies to the north-east of Scotland, emphasising new choreography and plenty of opportunities for participation. 13–21 OCTOBER
THE SPREE COMEDY / FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Paisley, thespree.co.uk
Paisley’s festival is a mix of music, comedy and arts, all of which aims to showcase the area’s talent. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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Scottish International Storytelling Festival
19–22 OCTOBER
DOCUMENT HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV / POLITICS CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, documentfilmfestival. org
13-21 OCTOBER
ROYAL NATIONAL MÒD HERITAGE Various venues, Highlands, acgmod.org/nationalmod
Scotland’s number one Gaelic event, the Royal National Mòd brings together a unique feast of literature, history, music, and art as part of its vision to promote Gaelic language and culture around the world. 14 OCTOBER
EDINBURGH COFFEE FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, edinburghcoffeefestival.co.uk
A celebration of Scotland’s vibrant coffee scene with exhibitors, demonstrations and interactive workshops. 14 & 15 OCTOBER
Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, Glasgow, maskandpuppet.co.uk Eight days of magic, puppet shows and workshops. 18–22 OCTOBER
DUNDEE LITERARY FESTIVAL FAMILY / LITERATURE Various venues, Dundee, literarydundee.co.uk
A mix of bookish events including internationally renowned authors, local names and children’s writers. Highlights of the 2016 festival included Liz Lochhead, Alan Cumming, Jenni Fagan, James Kelman, Amy Liptrot, Don Paterson and Lin Anderson, as well as the announcement of the Dundee International Book Prize winner. See Spotlight On, page 78.
FASANTA ART Corran Halls, The Esplanade, Oban, fasantafestival.org
18–22 OCTOBER
A celebration of Scotland’s textile heritage via a programme of events including talks, exhibitions and workshops.
MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Braemar, braemarcreativearts.co.uk
14–22 OCTOBER
MAGIPUP FESTIVAL FAMILY / THEATRE & DANCE
BRAEMAR CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL
Arts festival featuring a plethora of workshops covering music, drama, visual art and craft. There’s also live entertainment, competitions, demonstrations and a market.
This dedicated international human rights documentary film festival uses international film to raise the profile of human rights and social issues that are not exposed in the mainstream media. Document showcases a wide range of styles from reportage to cinematic essays, investigative journalism to left-field experiments. There are also talks, discussions, workshops and a variety of other live events. 20–31 OCTOBER
SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL FAMILY / HERITAGE / LITERATURE Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, Edinburgh, scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk
A vibrant celebration of live storytelling and imagination uniting Scottish and international storytellers and musicians. Performance, workshops, talks and children’s events radiate out from the capital with guest storytellers from across the globe. See Panel, page 75. 21–29 OCTOBER
TWEED VALLEY FOREST FESTIVAL FAMILY / HERITAGE / OUTDOOR Tweed Valley Forest Park, Glentress, forest-festival.com
A celebration of the rich woodland culture of the Borders in a variety of locations around the beautiful Tweed Valley, featuring the Peebles wood market, Scottish conker championships, Carvefest, woodland walks, and much, much more. 79
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21 OCTOBER–5 NOVEMBER
DISCOVERY FILM FESTIVAL FAMILY / FILM & TV Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, Dundee, discoveryfilmfestival.org.uk
Scotland’s international film festival for young audiences (3+) combines the best youth cinema from around the world with a series of creative workshops and events. 26–29 OCTOBER
ST ANDREWS VOICES
by Cryptic, who have long been responsible for some of the most fascinating live performance work in the country. Since its 2012 launch, Sonica has presented over 400 events by 180 artists from six continents. The festival tagline is ‘sonic art for the visually minded’. 26 OCTOBER–12 NOVEMBER
SOUNDFESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Aberdeen, sound-scotland.co.uk
It’s all about the voice here, in this eclectic festival of music drawn from opera, Lieder, folk, jazz, early music and some contemporary genres.
An innovative festival of new music across Aberdeenshire. From contemporary classical music to electro-acoustic music, traditional, vocal and jazz, the festival brings together a wide range of different musical styles in a variety of concerts, workshops, installations and talks.
26–29 OCTOBER
27-28 OCTOBER
ORKNEY STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
PAISLEY HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, St Andrews, standrewsvoices.com
FAMILY Town Centre, Paisley,
27–29 OCTOBER
TARBERT BOOK FESTIVAL LITERATURE Various venues, Tarbert, tarbertbookfestival.org
A celebration of the literary, with book signings and talks from a range of authors. 2016’s lineup included Janice Galloway, Shirley McKay, Chris Brookmyre and Jennifer Morag Henderson. 27–29 OCTOBER
TAMFEST FAMILY Town Centre, Ayr, tamfest.co.uk
Halloween festival in Ayr, so there’s a Tam O’Shanter twist. The event includes a haunted house, live performances, market stalls, haunted tours, workshops for children, traditional skills fair, and much more. Last year, Karen PHOTO: RAINI SCOTT
LITERATURE Various venues, Orkney, orkneystorytellingfestival.co.uk
paisley2021.co.uk There’s halloweeny happenings galore in Paisley, with a parade, spooky storytelling and fiery illuminations.
A four-day programme of walks, talks, story sessions and workshops with renowned storytellers from Scotland and far beyond. The events are held all across mainland Orkney with the draw of a trip to at least one of the outer islands. The last night of the festival always includes an Open Mic session to encourage new talent. 26 OCTOBER–5 NOVEMBER
SONICA ART / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Glasgow, sonic-a.co.uk
This festival features cutting edge performance by a number of established international artists, which crosses the boundaries of music, theatre, visual and electronic art. Sonica is produced 80
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Samhuinn Fire Festival
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Dunbar performed Burns’ iconic story. 28 OCTOBER–12 NOVEMBER
DUNDEE SCIENCE FESTIVAL FAMILY / SCIENCE Various venues, Dundee, dundeesciencefestival.org
A range of exciting and stimulating events, talks, shows and hands-on exhibits demonstrating the wonderful world of science. Everything from fossils to forensics are covered, with fun for kids as well as discussions for grown-ups.
animated cinema, the festival showcases the latest Japanese animation with the genre’s experts on hand to provide some valuable behind-the-scenes information. OCTOBER, DATES TBC
GLASGOW AMERICANA MUSIC Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowamericana.com
A blues, country and progressive folk festival which proudly follows in the footsteps of the fondly remembered Big Big Country festival. Sam Outlaw, Findlay Napier and Roseanne Reid were among last year’s stars.
28 OCTOBER
PERTH ALL SCOTLAND ACCORDION AND FIDDLE FESTIVAL MUSIC Salutation Hotel, South Street, Perth, perthaccordionfestival. co.uk
The 68th annual festival of its kind. 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 the country’s top musicians in this field. 31 OCTOBER
SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL FAMILY / HERITAGE Various venues, Edinburgh, beltane.org
Hosted by the Beltane Fire Society, the Samhuinn Fire Festival celebrates the Celtic New Year, marking the end of summer and the welcoming onset of winter. OCTOBER, DATES TBC
SCOTLAND LOVES ANIME FILM & TV Various venues, Scotland, lovesanimation.com
One for true lovers of Japanese
OCTOBER, DATES TBC
SCOTTISH MENTAL HEALTH ARTS AND FILM FESTIVAL FAMILY / FILM & TV Various venues, Scotland, mhfestival.com
An arts and film festival which combines high-level programming with a worthy aim: to challenge and change attitudes towards mental health. Through a series of events, workshops and screenings around Scotland, the programme probes big questions.
OCTOBER, DATES TBC
FOOD & FIDDLE FORTNIGHT FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Various venues, Royal Deeside
One of Scotland’s most scenic landscapes plays host to a showcase of the country’s finest food and traditional music.
NOVEMBER 1–7 NOVEMBER
TO ABSENT FRIENDS MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Scotland, toabsentfriends.org.uk
A festival of remembrance and storytelling, which aims to rekindle old traditions and kick start some new ones, encouraging people to remember their late loved ones and to tell their stories. 1-30 NOVEMBER
ST ANDREWS FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Various venues, St Andrews, visitstandrews.com
OCTOBER, DATES TBC
A month-long celebration of Fife’s produce with demonstrations, tastings and special events across town.
ABERDEEN COMEDY FESTIVAL
2–5 NOVEMBER
COMEDY Various venues, Aberdeen, aberdeencomedyfestival.com
The second Aberdeen Comedy Festival features over 250 comedians performing at venues across the city.
DENHOLM FOLK FESTIVAL MUSIC Various venues, Denholm, denholmfolkfest.co.uk
The folk programme includes evening concerts, workshops and an open stage competition.
OCTOBER, DATES TBC
EDINBURGH SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL
7–12 NOVEMBER
FILM & TV Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghspanishfilmfestival. com
ART / FAMILY / SCIENCE City Centre, Dundee, northeastofnorth.com
Film festival for anyone interested in cinema as well as Spanish and Latin American culture.
NEON DIGITAL ARTS
Scotland’s only international digital arts festival features moving image, performance, music and technology-driven arts. 81
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8–12 NOVEMBER
INVERNESS FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Various venues, Inverness, invernessfilmfestival.com
A small festival that packs a punch with film premieres and a selection of work by international debutant directors. 17–19 NOVEMBER
ISLAY SESSIONS
SPOTLIGHT ON . . . ST ANDREW’S DAY Scotland’s other national day (oh, how we love you, Burns Night) takes place on 30 November. As you can imagine, St Andrews (the town) goes big for St Andrew’s (the day), with a wide selection of themed events for all ages on and around that date. The open-air street party is a highlight, with with Scottish music and street entertainers. On the day itself, the Old Course Hotel has a spectacular dinner, prepared by top chefs. East Lothian is the birthplace of the saltire, and the region’s Saltire Festival celebrates this fact. It’s got live music, food and drink events, and more. In 2016 Glasgow hosted their first St Andrew’s Day Torchlight Parade, a fabulous fiery vision accompanied by pipe bands. The holiday has previously been marked wih dance troupes in Dundee and a Scottish Festival in Perth. In Edinburgh the Scottish Storytelling Centre always host a variety of ceilidhs, music sessions and storytelling to honour our patron saint. (Rebecca Monks) ■ Various venues, Scotland, on and around 30 November. 82
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MUSIC Various venues, Isle of Islay, islaysessions.co.uk
A small and cosy traditional music festival that’s set to brighten up the otherwise dreary month of November. It brings plenty cheer in the form of outstanding musicians from the Scottish traditional and folk scenes. The weekend is filled with pub sessions, workshops for all ages, concert performances and, if you desire, the whisky for which the island is famous. 17–19 NOVEMBER
ABERFELDY FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Various venues, Aberfeldy, facebook.com/ aberfeldyfilmfestival
Aberfeldy’s film festival is centred on being a celebration of music in film with screenings taking place at both Birks Cinema and Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. Their programme also features a gala opening event, short film competitions and the opportunity to meet directors and discuss their work. 17-19 NOVEMBER
SCOTS FIDDLE FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Edinburgh, scotsfiddlefestival.com
This exciting, fiddle-fuelled weekend includes concerts, recitals, workshops, talks, stalls,
sessions, festival clubs, and ceilidhs. 17–27 NOVEMBER
PREVIOUSLY . . . SCOTLAND’S HISTORY FESTIVAL COMEDY / HERITAGE / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Edinburgh, historyfest.co.uk
Previously . . . Scotland’s History Festival brings the nation’s past to vivid life in a packed programme of talks, walks, tours, teas, activities, debates, exhibitions, theatre, comedy, art, photography, family history, film, open days and much more. Previously is an event that will appeal to history buffs of all ages, and as the festival’s slogan says, why not ‘gie it laldy!’ 17–26 NOVEMBER
OBAN WINTER FESTIVAL FAMILY Various venues, Oban, obanwinterfestival.com
The coastal town gets all wintry and frosty with a series of activities, films and light shows to celebrate the fluffy white season that carries another year to a close. There’s even a chance Santa might stop by when he gets a break from all that present preparation. 23–25 NOVEMBER
DUNDEE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV / OUTDOOR Bonar Hall, The University of Dundee, Park Place, Dundee, dundeemountainfilm.org.uk
The UK’s longest continuous running mountain film festival showcases an international programme of films by local filmmakers, presentations and book signings by world renowned mountaineers, adventurers and expedition leaders, and art and photography exhibitions. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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PHOTO: ROB MCDOUGALL
film culture throughout Dumfries & Galloway. NOVEMBER, DATES TBC
BOOK WEEK SCOTLAND FAMILY / LITERATURE / POLITICS Various venues, Scotland, bookweekscotland.com
A ‘national book festival’ for Scotland courtesy of Creative Scotland, the Scottish Book Trust and many other collaborators. This festival features a packed programme of star-studded authors, kids’ activities and distribution of free books to form a week-long celebration. NOVEMBER, DATES TBC
THE SALTIRE FESTIVAL HERITAGE / MUSIC Various venues, East Lothian, visiteastlothian.org
Book Week Scotland 25 NOVEMBER–10 JANUARY
KINROSS-SHIRE’S WINTER FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Various venues, Kinross, kleo. org.uk
A mix of family fun including pantos, music, street market, carols, fairs, and Christmas activities.
6 Gottries Road, Harbourside, Irvine, illuminationfestival.co.uk This festival of light returns to the River Irvine. The inaugural festival featured an illumination trail with hundreds of origami boats, a light show including aerial acrobatics in and around the Linthouse at the Scottish Maritime Museum and a fireworks display to celebrate St Andrew’s Day.
25 NOVEMBER
THE WEE G
30 NOVEMBER
FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Argyll Holidays, Drimsynie Estate, Corrow Farm, Lochgoilhead, Argyll and Bute, argyllholidays.com
ST ANDREW’S DAY
Scottish themed all-dayer, with live traditional and acoustic music over two indoor stages, plus local food and drink.
MULTI-ARTS Various venues, Scotland
The nation takes time out to celebrate our patron saint with a vibrant variety of events all across Scotland. See Spotlight On, page 82. NOVEMBER, DATES TBC
30 NOVEMBER–3 DECEMBER
ILLUMINATION: HARBOUR FESTIVAL OF LIGHT ART / FAMILY The Scottish Maritime Museum,
THE SOUTH WEST PICTURE SHOW FAMILY / FILM & TV Various venues, Dumfries & Galloway, rbcft.co.uk/filmfestival
Festival celebrating cinema and
A festival of music, culture and heritage. East Lothian is the birthplace of the Scottish Flag, and The Saltire Festival quite rightly celebrates this fact alongside the festivities to mark St Andrew’s Day. NOVEMBER, DATES TBC
DRAMBUSTERS WHISKY FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, drambusters.com
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. NOVEMBER, DATES TBC
ST ANDREW’S DAY IN ST ANDREWS FAMILY Various venues, St Andrews, visitstandrews.com
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NOVEMBER, DATES TBC
FOKUS: FILMS FROM GERMANY
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
FILM & TV Various venues, Scotland goethe.de
A Scotland-wide event showcasing innovative, inspiring and challenging films from Germany.
DECEMBER 2 & 3 DECEMBER
PITLOCHRY CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL FAMILY / FOOD & DRINK / MUSIC Pitlochry Church, Church Road, Pitlochry, pitlochrychurchofscotland. org.uk
Two-day festival of Christmas trees, featuring displays from local businesses, voluntary organisations, charities, groups, clubs, and families. The event also features a craft market, music and refreshments. 30 DECEMBER–1 JANUARY
EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghshogmanay.com
Edinburgh’s world-famous Hogmanay celebrations ushers the new year in with a bang. There’s a torchlight parade through the town, a concert in the gardens that always boasts an impressive lineup, the legendary street party on Princes Street and, following the stroke of midnight, fireworks seen by millions across the globe. 31 DECEMBER
RED HOT HIGHLAND FLING FAMILY / MUSIC Various venues, Inverness, hogmany.net
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party is a family-friendly fling featuring bands, fireworks, and food and drink. The main party ends at half past midnight, but continues in clubs, pubs and hotels across Inverness. 31 DECEMBER
STONEHAVEN FIREBALLS FAMILY / MUSIC High Street, Stonehaven, stonehavenfireballs.co.uk
A traditional fireball ceremony on the streets of Stonehaven to welcome in 2018 with a swing. The parade of fireballs-swingers starts on the bells at midnight and is followed by a dramatic fireworks display while the swingers throw their fireballs into the nearby river. DECEMBER, DATES TBC
PERTH WINTER FESTIVAL FAMILY / MUSIC / THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, Perth, visitperthcity.com
A whole range of days out, activities, theatre, and music events to brighten up the cold winter months in the Fair City. Highlights of the Perth Winter Festival include the Chocolate Festival, a farmers’ market, Christmas Light Switch On and a Santa Fun Run.
DECEMBER, DATES TBC
GLASGOW LOVES CHRISTMAS FAMILY Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowloveschristmas.com
The festive celebrations kick the festive season off in style across Glasgow’s city centre. Watch the centre being lit up at the Glasgow Christmas Lights switch-on, race a 5k dressed as the guy Claus at the Santa Dash, watch the parade at the Style Mile Carnival, and enjoy not one but two festive markets. DECEMBER, DATES TBC
EDINBURGH’S CHRISTMAS FAMILY / HERITAGE Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghschristmas.com
Time to enjoy six weeks of a winter wonderland, with the centre of Edinburgh transformed by a fairground, a host of colourful lights and the fabled European Christmas market with dozens of stalls selling traditional trinkets and crafts as well as delicious Teutonic treats (and, of course, glühwein).
The Guide to Scotland’s Festivals 2018 is due out at the end of January next year. LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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INDEX There are two indexes: The first lists festivals alphabetically and the second by genre.
ALPHABETICAL 3 Harbours Arts Festival Aberdeen AfroLatin Festival Aberdeen Comedy Festival Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) Aberdeen Jazz Festival Aberdour Festival Aberfeldy Film Festival Adam Smith Food Festival Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival Alloway 1759 Amazing Ages! Angus Accordion and Fiddle Festival Angus Cycling Festival Angus Glens Walking Festival Anstrur Harbour Festival Arbroath Sea Fest Ardrossan Music Experience Arran Folk Festival Arran Mountain Festival Aye Write! Glasgow’s Book Festival Balerno Music Festival Ballantrae Festival of Food & Drink Ballater Victoria Week Ballater Walking Festival Banchory Beer Festival Banchory Beer Festival presents Beer @ Barn Banchory River Festival Bandstand Beer and Music Festival Banff Mountain Film Festival Bankfoot Inn Winter Beer Festival Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running BearScotFest Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival Beltane Fire Festival Best of West Festival Beyond Borders International Festival of Literature and Thought Borders Heritage Festival
48 78 81 60 32 54 82 33 31 26 66 56 69 47 46 64 47 50 44 32 74 50 64 44 64 28 55 39 26 30 74 76 61 40 70 67 68
Big Burns Supper Festival Big Lit Blas Festival Bloody Scotland Bonfest Book Week Scotland Booked! Bootstock Borders Book Festival Borders Walking Festival Boswell Book Festival Braemar Creative Arts Festival Braemar Mountain Festival Brew at Bog Burning Circle – Bronze Age Festival Burns Unbound Burnsfest! ButeFest Buzzcut Festival Cairngorms Nature Festival Caithness International Science Festival Callander Jazz and Blues Festival Campsie Mayfest Cantilena Festival on Islay Carnival Fifty Six Celtic Connections Ceol Cholasa Ceòlas CoastWord Coll Bird Festival Colonsay Book Festival Colonsay Festival of Spring Conpulsion Underworld Counterflows Craignish Arts Festival Crail Festival Crail Food Festival Creative Peebles Festival Cumnock Tryst Dance International Glasgow DanceLive Dead by Dawn Denholm Folk Festival Dig It! 2017 Discovery Film Festival Document Human Rights Film Festival Douglasdale Gairin Doune the Rabbit Hole Drambusters Whisky Festival Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Dunbar Traditional Music Festival Dundead Horror Film Festival Dundee Design Festival
26 36 76 70 39 83 42 70 50 70 42 79 31 52 74 26 40 59 35 47 32 74 42 58 66 26 71 55 44 42 39 40 35 35 67 59 51 67 74 36 78 36 81 26 80 79 71 67 83 46 72 38 45
Dundee Flower & Food Festival Dundee Literary Festival Dundee Mountain Film Festival Dundee Science Festival Dunedin International Folk Dance Festival Dunfermline Folk Weekend Eaglesham Beer Festival East Neuk Festival Eden Festival Edinburgh Art Festival Edinburgh Blues’n’Rock Festival Edinburgh Coffee Festival Edinburgh Digital Entertainment Festival Edinburgh Festival Fringe Edinburgh Festival of Cycling Edinburgh Film Fest in City Edinburgh Food Festival Edinburgh International Book Festival Edinburgh International Fashion Festival Edinburgh International Festival Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace Edinburgh International Film Festival Edinburgh International Harp Festival Edinburgh International Magic Festival Edinburgh International Science Festival Edinburgh Iranian Festival Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival Edinburgh Marathon Festival Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival Edinburgh Restaurant Festival Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival Edinburgh Student Arts Festival Edinburgh Yarn Festival Edinburgh’s Christmas Edinburgh’s Festival of Ireland Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Electric Fields Electric Frog & Pressure Riverside Festival Enjoy Music European Pipe Band Championships: Piping At Forres Falkirk Tryst Festival Fasanta FebruaryFest
69 79 82 81 59 74 47 54 50 59 60 79 68 61 50 52 59 66 59 61
32 52 34 54 35 27 58 47 27 78 81 27 32 84 33 30 84 69 47 48 54 42 79 27 85
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44 68 38 26 26 27 55
PHOTO: PAUL CAMPBELL
Festival of Museums Festival of Politics Fife Brass Band Festival Fife Festival Of Music Fife Food Festival Fife Jazz Festival Fife Science Festival FifeSing: Fife Traditional Singing Festival Fisherfolk Festival Fokus: Films from Germany Follow Vikings Roadshow & Festival Food & Fiddle Fortnight Food on Film Foodies Festival Fort William Mountain Festival Fringe by Sea FyneFest Galloway Music Festival Garioch Theatre Festival GastroFest Gig in the Goil Glasgow Americana Glasgow Comic Con Glasgow Film Festival Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival Glasgow Loves Christmas Glasgow Science Festival: Glasgow Explores Glasgow Short Film Festival Glasgow Tattoo Festival Glasgow Youth Film Festival Glenfarg Folk Feast GLITCH Groove CairnGorm Groove Loch Ness Heavy Scotland HebCelt Hebrides International Film Festival Hidden Door Festival Highland Archaeology Festival Highland Games Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival Hina Matsuri Japanese Spring Festival Hippodrome Silent Film Festival Horsecross Youth Arts Festival HorsePower Hospitalfield Summer Festival
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
42 51 84 69 81 27 61 28 68 48 32 52 35 40 81 55 30 32 84 50 33 42 28 35 33 31 68 35 59 76 45 75 40 40 39 31 33 50 70 52
Huntly Hairst Food and Farming Festival Iberodocs Ignite Dundee IGNITION Festival of Motoring illumination: Harbour Festival of Light Imaginate Festival Innerlein Music Festival Into New 2017 Inverness Film Festival Inverness Music Festival Inverurie Beer Festival Inverurie Beer Festival presents Beer @ the Barn Lochter Iona Village Hall Music Festival Irvine Valley Walking Festival Islay Festival of Music and Malt Islay Sessions Isle of Jura Music Festival Isle of Skye Accordion and Fiddle Festival Johnshaven Fish Festival Kelburn Garden Party Killin Music Festival King Tut’s New Year’s Revolution Kingdom of Fife Real Ale, Cider and Perry Festival Kinross-shire’s Winter Festival Kintyre Songwriters Festival Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival Knockengorroch World Ceilidh Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival Lairg Music Festival Lammermuir Festival Largs Classic Cars Largs Food Festival
69 42 41 61 83 47 67 26 82 31 78 39 54 42 45 82 76 44 68 55 51 26 36 82 39 50 44 71 52 71 64 47
Largs Live! Largs Viking Festival Leith Festival Lentfest Lilias Day Festival Linlithgow Civic Festival Linlithgow Folk Festival Live @ Troon Music Festival Loch Ewe WWII Festival Loch Fyne Food Fair Loch Ness Film Festival Loch Shiel Spring Festival Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Look Again Visual Art and Design Festival Loopallu Lorn Drama Festival Lossiemouth Folk Club Festival Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival Mackintosh Festival Magipup Festival manipulate Visual Theatre Festival Mar Lodge Mountain Film Festival Mary Queen of Scots Festival Marymass Festival May Festival Mayfesto McLellan Arts Festival Meadows Festival Merchant City Festival Mhor Festival Midlothian Walking Festival Midstock Festival Midsummer Beer Happening Millport Country & Western Festival
54 69 50 31 48 48 75 70 41 42 59 36 33 39 75 34 59 76 76 79 26 28 76 67 45 40 68 48 60 45 68 69 55 68
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2017 THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS
Moniaive Folk Festival Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival Montrose Music Festival (Mo Fest) Moray Walking Festival Mugstock Festival Mull of Kintyre Music Festival Music at Paxton Nairn Book and Arts Festival National Festival of Youth Theatre National Whisky Festival NEoN Digital Arts Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival Newton Stewart Traditional & Acoustic Music Festival Newton Stewart Walking Festival Niel Gow Annual Scottish Fiddle Festival North East Open Studios North Hop Northern Streams Oban Live Oban Winter Festival Oban, Lorn and Isles’ Festival of Sea Ocean Film Festival Official Scottish Elvis Presley Festival Oktoberfest On the Rocks Student Arts Festival Orkney Folk Festival Orkney International Science Festival Orkney Jazz Festival Orkney Storytelling Festival Paisley Beer & Food Festival Paisley Halloween Festival Paisley’s International Festival of Weaving Paisley Make Papay Gyro Nights Party at Palace Perform in Perth Perth All Scotland Accordion and Fiddle Festival Perth and Kinross Archaeology Year Perth Beer Festival Perth Festival of Arts Perth Winter Festival Piping Live! Pitlochry Christmas Tree Festival
41 72 45 52 60 67 58 71 56 26 81 54 56 40 33 70 31 38 48 82 45 72 35 78 34 44 70 44 80 36 80 55 67 28 66 32 81 35 42 44 84 64 84
Pitmedden Community Music Festival Pittenweem Arts Festival Power of Food Festival Previously . . . Scotland’s History Festival Puppet Animation Festival Purvai Red Hot Highland Fling Refugee Festival Scotland Resonate: Total Gaming Retina Photography Festival Rewind Scotland: 80s Festival Riverside Rock Royal Deeside Cycling Festival Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Royal National Mòd Saltire Festival Samhuinn Fire Festival Scotland Calling Scotland in Six – Dig It! Scotland’s Gardening Festival Scotland Loves Anime Scots Fiddle Festival Scottish Adventure Travel Film Festival Scottish International Storytelling Festival Scottish Game Fair Scottish Learning Festival Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival Scottish Queer International Film Festival Scottish Real Ale Festival Scottish Traditional Boat Festival Screenplay Scribbler’s Picnic Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival Shetland Fiddle Frenzy Shetland Folk Festival Shetland Nature Festival Shetland Wool Week Shindig Shining Lives Shuffle Down Skye Book Festival Skye Festival: Fèis an Eilein Skye Live Skye Storytelling Festival and Glendale Garing Skye Whisky Festival Slow Marathon Festival Solas Festival
48 64 52 82 34 64 84 52 60 58 59 52 71 61 79 83 81 39 36 48 81 82 71 79 55 72 81 74 56 54 67 42 76 60 39 55 74 60 78 44 67 56 74 47 50 36 52
Sonica Sound Thought soundFestival Sourn Fried Festival South West Picture Show Southside Fringe SPECTRA: Aberdeen’s Festival of Light Speyfest Spirit of Moray Book Festival Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Spree Spring Fling Springfest: Scottish Food and Drink Festival St Andrew’s Day St Andrew’s Day in St Andrews St Andrews Food & Drink Festival St Andrews Voices St Magnus International Festival StAnza: Scotland’s Poetry Festival Stereofunk Festival Stirling Gin Festival Stirling Whisky and Spirit Festival Stirling Whisky Festival Stonehaven Fireballs Stonehaven Folk Festival Strathyre Music Festival Strichen Festival Summer Nights Surge Syn/Συν Festival Edinburgh Take Me Somewhere Take One Action Film Festival Tamfest Tarbert Book Festival Tarbert Seafood Festival Tarbert Traditional Boat Festival Taste of Grampian TechFest That’s Fife Tidelines Book Festival Tiree Music Festival TMSA Keith Festival To Absent Friends TradFest Edinburgh • Dùn Èideann Trossachs Beer Festival Truckfest True North Turing Festival Tweed Valley Forest Festival TweedLove Bike Festival UK Green Film Festival Ukulele Festival of Scotland Ullapool Book Festival Ullapool Dance Festival
80 32 80 59 83 42 28 60 71 38 78 46 35 83 83 81 80 50 31 39 41 39 47 84 56 46 44 61 59 32 30 72 80 80 55 58 48 67 35 72 58 50 81 38 67 64 76 68 79 45 40 50 40 31 87
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Ullapool Guitar Festival Undependence Film Festival UnstFest Up Helly Aa Village Storytelling Festival Voluntary Arts Festival Walk Islay Wee Dub Festival Wee G Wee Write! West End Festival Whisky An’ A’ That Whisky Stramash Wigtown Book Festival WildFire Festival Winter Words Festival Women in Science Festival XpoNorth
78 36 58 27 56 40 35 31 83 31 55 48 47 72 52 28 32 48
CATEGORY ART 3 Harbours Arts Festival Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival Big Burns Supper Festival Braemar Creative Arts Festival Burnsfest! Buzzcut Festival Campsie Mayfest Counterflows Craignish Arts Festival Creative Peebles Festival Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Dundee Design Festival East Neuk Festival Edinburgh Art Festival Edinburgh International Fashion Festival Edinburgh Iranian Festival Edinburgh Student Arts Festival Edinburgh Yarn Festival Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows Falkirk Tryst Festival Fasanta Glasgow Comic Con Glasgow Tattoo Festival Hidden Door Festival Ignite Dundee illumination: Harbour Festival of Light Into New 2017 Lochwinnoch Arts Festival
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48 31 26 79 40 35 42 35 67 67 46 45 54 59 59 27 27 32 30 42 79 55 42 45 41
Look Again Visual Art and Design Festival Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival Mackintosh Festival Merchant City Festival NEoN Digital Arts North East Open Studios Oktoberfest On Rocks Student Arts Festival Paisley’s International Festival of Weaving Paisley Make Papay Gyro Nights Perth Festival of Arts Pittenweem Arts Festival Refugee Festival Scotland Retina Photography Festival Shining Lives Solas Festival Sonica Sound Thought SPECTRA: Aberdeen’s Festival of Light St Magnus International Festival Syn/Συν Festival Edinburgh Voluntary Arts Festival West End Festival
39 76 76 60 81 70 78 34 55 67 28 44 64 52 58 78 52 80 32 28 50 32 40 55
COMEDY Aberdeen Comedy Festival Big Burns Supper Festival Edinburgh Festival Fringe Edinburgh Iranian Festival Fringe by Sea Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival Nairn Book and Arts Festival On the Rocks Student Arts Festival Perth Festival of Arts Previously . . . Scotland’s History Festival Refugee Festival Scotland Shindig Southside Fringe Spree That’s Fife
81 26 61 27 68 32 76 71 34 44 82 52 60 42 78 35
COMMUNITY 83 26 33
Ballater Victoria Week BearScotFest Booked! Colonsay Festival of Spring
64 76 42 40
Craignish Arts Festival Crail Festival Creative Peebles Festival Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival Meadows Festival Refugee Festival Scotland To Absent Friends Voluntary Arts Festival
67 59 67
32 76 48 52 81 40
FAMILY 3 Harbours Arts Festival 48 Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) 60 Aberdour Festival 54 Adam Smith Food Festival 33 Amazing Ages! 66 Anstrur Harbour Festival 46 Arbroath Sea Fest 64 Balerno Music Festival 74 Ballater Victoria Week 64 Banchory River Festival 55 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running 74 Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 61 Best of West Festival 70 Beyond Borders International Festival of Literature and Thought 67 Borders Heritage Festival 68 Big Burns Supper Festival 26 Book Week Scotland 83 Borders Book Festival 50 Boswell Book Festival 42 Braemar Creative Arts Festival 79 Burning Circle – Bronze Age Festival 74 Burns Unbound 26 Burnsfest! 40 Butefest 59 Caithness International Science Festival 32 Campsie Mayfest 42 Celtic Connections 26 CoastWord 44 Colonsay Book Festival 39 Colonsay Festival of Spring 40 Conpulsion Underworld 35 Craignish Arts Festival 67 Crail Festival 59 Creative Peebles Festival 67 DanceLive 78 Dig It! 26 Discovery Film Festival 80 Douglasdale Gairin 71 LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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2017 THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND WHITE CUBE, LONDON
Doune the Rabbit Hole Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Dunbar Traditional Music Festival Dundee Flower & Food Festival Dundee Literary Festival Dundee Science Festival Eden Festival Edinburgh Art Festival Edinburgh Festival Fringe Edinburgh International Book Festival Edinburgh International Festival Edinburgh International Film Festival Edinburgh International Magic Festival Edinburgh International Science Festival Edinburgh Iranian Festival Edinburgh’s Christmas Edinburgh’s Festival of Ireland Edinburgh’s Hogmanay European Pipe Band Championships: Piping At Forres Festival of Museums Fife Science Festival FifeSing: Fife Traditional Singing Festival Food on Film Foodies Festival FyneFest Garioch Theatre Festival Glasgow Live International Comedy Festival Glasgow Loves Christmas Glasgow Science Festival: Glasgow Explores
Edinburgh International Art Festival
67 46 72 69 79 81 50 59 61 66 61 52 54 35 27 84 33 84 54 44 55 42 27 61 48 52 32 84 50
Glenfarg Folk Feast HebCelt Highland Games Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival Hina Matsuri Japanese Spring Festival Horsecross Youth Arts Festival Huntly Hairst Food and Farming Festival IGNITION Festival of Motoring Imaginate Festival Kelburn Garden Party Knockengorroch World Ceilidh Largs Classic Cars Largs Live! Largs Viking Festival Lilias Day Festival Linlithgow Civic Festival Linlithgow Folk Festival Loch Ewe WWII Festival Loch Fyne Food Fair Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Lorn Drama Festival Magipup Festival manipulate Visual Theatre Festival Marymass Festival McLellan Arts Festival Meadows Festival Merchant City Festival Mhor Festival Midlothian Walking Festival Midstock Festival Mugstock Festival Nairn Book and Arts Festival National Festival of Youth Theatre NEoN Digital Arts
35 59 40 40 31 50 69 61 47 55 44 64 54 69 48 48 75 41 42 33 34 79 26 67 68 48 60 45 68 69 60 71 56 81
Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival Oban Winter Festival Oban, Lorn and Isles’ Festival of Sea Orkney Folk Festival Orkney International Science Festival Paisley Halloween Festival Perth and Kinross Archaeology Year Perth Festival of Arts Perth Winter Festival Piping Live! Pitlochry Christmas Tree Festival Pitmedden Community Music Festival Pittenweem Arts Festival Puppet Animation Festival Red Hot Highland Fling Refugee Festival Scotland Resonate: Total Gaming Riverside Rock Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Saltire Festival Samhuinn Fire Festival Scots Fiddle Festival Scottish International Storytelling Festival Scottish Game Fair Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival Scottish Traditional Boat Festival Scribbler’s Picnic Shetland Nature Festival Shetland Wool Week Shindig Skye Book Festival Skye Storytelling Festival and Glendale Garing South West Picture Show Southside Fringe SPECTRA: Aberdeen’s Festival of Light Spree Spring Fling St Andrew’s Day St Andrew’s Day in St Andrews St Andrews Voices StAnza: Scotland’s Poetry Festival Stonehaven Fireballs Strathyre Music Festival Strichen Festival Surge Tamfest Tarbert Seafood Festival Tarbert Traditional Boat Festival
54 82 45 44 70 80 35 44 84 64 84 48 64 34 84 52 60 52 61 83 81 83 79 55 81 54 42 55 74 60 67 47 83 42 28 78 46 83 83 80 31 84 46 44 59 80 55 58 89
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Taste of Grampian TechFest That’s Fife Tidelines Book Festival Tiree Music Festival TMSA Keith Festival Truckfest Tweed Valley Forest Festival TweedLove Bike Festival Ullapool Book Festival Ullapool Dance Festival UnstFest Up Helly Aa Voluntary Arts Festival Walk Islay Wee Write! West End Festival Wigtown Book Festival Women in Science Festival
48 67 35 72 58 50 64 79 45 40 31 58 27 40 35 31 55 72 32
manipulate Visual Theatre Festival Mar Lodge Mountain Film Festival McLellan Arts Festival Nairn Book and Arts Festival Ocean Film Festival On the Rocks Student Arts Festival Refugee Festival Scotland Scotland Loves Anime Scottish Adventure Travel Film Festival Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival Scottish Queer International Film Festival Screenplay South West Picture Show Take One Action Film Festival UK Green Film Festival Undependence Film Festival XpoNorth
82
FOOD & DRINK
26 28 68 71 72 34 52 81 71 81 74 67 83 72 40 36 48
FILM & TV Aberfeldy Film Festival Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival Banff Mountain Film Festival Braemar Mountain Festival Counterflows Dead by Dawn Discovery Film Festival Document Human Rights Film Festival Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Dundead Horror Film Festival Dundee Mountain Film Festival Edinburgh Digital Entertainment Festival Edinburgh Film Fest in City Edinburgh International Film Festival Edinburgh Iranian Festival Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival Fokus: Films from Germany Food on Film Fort William Mountain Festival Glasgow Comic Con Glasgow Film Festival Glasgow Short Film Festival Glasgow Youth Film Festival GLITCH Hebrides International Film Festival Hippodrome Silent Film Festival Hospitalfield Summer Festival Iberodocs Inverness Film Festival Loch Ness Film Festival 90
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31 26 31 35 36 80 79 46 38 82
3 Harbours Arts Festival Aberdour Festival Adam Smith Food Festival Anstrur Harbour Festival Arbroath Sea Fest Ballantrae Festival of Food & Drink Banchory Beer Festival Banchory Beer Festival presents Beer @ the Barn
48 54 33 46 64 50 64 28
Bandstand Beer and Music Festival Bankfoot Inn Winter Beer Festival Best of West Festival Brew at Bog Crail Food Festival Drambusters Whisky Festival Dundee Flower & Food Festival Eaglesham Beer Festival Edinburgh Coffee Festival Edinburgh Food Festival Edinburgh Restaurant Festival European Pipe Band Championships: Piping At Forres FebruaryFest Fife Food Festival Food & Fiddle Fortnight Food on Film Foodies Festival FyneFest GastroFest Huntly Hairst Food and Farming Festival Inverurie Beer Festival Inverurie Beer Festival presents Beer @ the Barn Lochter Iona Village Hall Music Festival Islay Festival of Music and Malt Kingdom of Fife Real Ale, Cider and Perry Festival Kinross-shire’s Winter Festival Largs Food Festival
39 30 70 52 51 83 69 47 79 59 78 54 27 26 81 27 61 48 35 69 78 39 54 45 36 82 47
68 52 52 27 27 81 84 27 28 55 30 33 28 33 76 33 52 42 82 59
North Hop LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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2017 THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS
Lilias Day Festival Loch Fyne Food Fair Mhor Festival Midsummer Beer Happening National Whisky Festival North Hop Paisley Beer & Food Festival Perth Beer Festival Pitlochry Christmas Tree Festival Power of Food Festival Refugee Festival Scotland Scottish Real Ale Festival Scottish Traditional Boat Festival Shuffle Down Skye Whisky Festival Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Springfest: Scottish Food and Drink Festival St Andrews Day Food & Drink Festival Stirling Gin Festival Stirling Whisky and Spirit Festival Stirling Whisky Festival Tarbert Seafood Festival Tarbert Traditional Boat Festival Taste of Grampian Trossachs Beer Festival Wee G Whisky An’ A’ That Whisky Stramash
48 42 45 55 26 31 36 42 84 52 52 56 54 44 50 38 35 83 41 39 47 55 58 48 67 83 48 47
HERITAGE Alloway 1759 Amazing Ages! Beltane Fire Festival BHF16 Borders Heritage Festival Big Burns Supper Festival Burning Circle – Bronze Age Festival Craignish Arts Festival Dig It! 2017 Edinburgh’s Christmas Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows Festival of Museums FifeSing: Fife Traditional Singing Festival Highland Games HorsePower Largs Viking Festival Leith Festival Mackintosh Festival Mary Queen of Scots Festival Marymass Festival Oktoberfest Paisley’s International Festival of Weaving
26 66 40 68 26 74 67 26 84 30 44 42 40 70 69 50 76 76 67 78 55
Perth and Kinross Archaeology Year 35 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Royal National Mòd Samhuinn Fire Festival Scotland in Six – Dig It! Scottish International Storytelling Festival Scottish Traditional Boat Festival Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival Shining Lives Skye Festival: Fèis an Eilein Strichen Festival Tarbert Traditional Boat Festival TMSA Keith Festival TradFest Edinburgh • Dùn Èideann Tweed Valley Forest Festival Up Helly Aa
61 79 81 36 79 54 76 78 56 44 58 50 38 79 27
LITERATURE Borders Book Festival Village Storytelling Festival 3 Harbours Arts Festival Aye Write! Glasgow’s Book Festival Beyond Borders International Festival of Literature and Thought Big Lit Bloody Scotland Book Week Scotland Booked! Boswell Book Festival Braemar Creative Arts Festival Burns Unbound Burnsfest! CoastWord Colonsay Book Festival Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Dundee Literary Festival East Neuk Festival Edinburgh International Book Festival Fringe by Sea Glasgow Comic Con Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival McLellan Arts Festival Nairn Book and Arts Festival Orkney Storytelling Festival Scottish International Storytelling Festival Shindig
50 56 48 32
67 36 70 83 42 42 79 26 40 44 39 46 79 54 66 68 55 76 68 71 80 79 60
Skye Book Festival Skye Storytelling Festival and Glendale Garing Spirit of Moray Book Festival StAnza: Scotland’s Poetry Festival Tarbert Book Festival Tidelines Book Festival Ullapool Book Festival Wee Write! West End Festival Wigtown Book Festival Winter Words Festival
67 47 71 31 80 72 40 31 55 72 28
MUSIC 3 Harbours Arts Festival Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) Aberdeen Jazz Festival Aberdour Festival Angus Accordion and Fiddle Festival Ardrossan Music Experience Arran Folk Festival Balerno Music Festival Bandstand Beer and Music Festival Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival Best of West Festival Borders Heritage Festival Big Burns Supper Festival Blas Festival Bonfest Bootstock Braemar Creative Arts Festival Brew at Bog Burnsfest! ButeFest Callander Jazz and Blues Festival Campsie Mayfest Cantilena Festival on Islay Carnival Fifty Six Celtic Connections Ceol Cholasa Ceòlas Colonsay Festival of Spring Counterflows Craignish Arts Festival Crail Festival Creative Peebles Festival Cumnock Tryst DanceLive Denholm Folk Festival Douglasdale Gairin Doune the Rabbit Hole
48 60 32 54 56 47 50 74 39 61 70 68 26 76 39 70 79 52 40 59 74 42 58 66 26 71 55 40 35 67 59 67 74 78 81 71 67 91
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Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Dunbar Traditional Music Festival Dunfermline Folk Weekend East Neuk Festival Eden Festival Edinburgh Blues’n’Rock Festival Edinburgh International Festival Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace Edinburgh International Harp Festival Edinburgh Iranian Festival Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival Edinburgh Student Arts Festival Edinburgh’s Festival of Ireland Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Electric Fields Electric Frog & Pressure Riverside Festival Enjoy Music European Pipe Band Championships: Piping At Forres Fife Brass Band Festival Fife Festival Of Music Fife Jazz Festival FifeSing: Fife Traditional Singing Festival Fisherfolk Festival Food & Fiddle Fortnight Foodies Festival Fringe by Sea FyneFest Galloway Music Festival Gig in the Goil Glasgow Americana Glenfarg Folk Feast Groove CairnGorm Groove Loch Ness Heavy Scotland HebCelt Hidden Door Festival Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival Hina Matsuri Japanese Spring Festival Ignite Dundee Innerlein Music Festival Inverness Music Festival Iona Village Hall Music Festival Islay Festival of Music and Malt Islay Sessions 92
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72 74 54 50 60 61
32 34 27 58 27 33 84 69 47 48 54 38 26 27 42 51 81 61 68 48 32 40 81 35 31 68 35 59 45 40 39 31 41 67 31 54 45 82
Isle of Jura Music Festival Isle of Skye Accordion and Fiddle Festival Kelburn Garden Party Killin Music Festival King Tut’s New Year’s Revolution Kinross-shire’s Winter Festival Kintyre Songwriters Festival Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival Knockengorroch World Ceilidh Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival Largs Live! Lairg Music Festival Lammermuir Festival Lentfest Lilias Day Festival Linlithgow Folk Festival Live @ Troon Music Festival Loch Shiel Spring Festival Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Loopallu Lossiemouth Folk Club Festival Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival McLellan Arts Festival Meadows Festival Merchant City Festival Mhor Festival Midstock Festival Midsummer Beer Happening Millport Country & Western Festival Moniaive Folk Festival Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival Montrose Music Festival (Mo Fest) Mugstock Festival Mull of Kintyre Music Festival
76 44 55 51 26 82 39 50 44 71 54 52 71 31 48 75 70 36 33 75 59 76 68 48 60 45 69 55 68 41 72 45 60 67
Music at Paxton Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival Newton Stewart Traditional & Acoustic Music Festival Niel Gow Annual Scottish Fiddle Festival North Hop Northern Streams Oban Live Official Scottish Elvis Presley Festival Orkney Folk Festival Orkney Jazz Festival Party at Palace Perform in Perth Perth All Scotland Accordion and Fiddle Festival Perth Festival of Arts Perth Winter Festival Piping Live! Pitlochry Christmas Tree Festival Pitmedden Community Music Festival Purvai Red Hot Highland Fling Refugee Festival Scotland Rewind Scotland: 80s Festival Riverside Rock Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Saltire Festival Scotland Calling Scotland in Six -- Dig It! Scots Fiddle Festival Scottish Traditional Boat Festival Scribbler’s Picnic Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival Shetland Fiddle Frenzy
58 54 56 33 31 38 48 35 44 44 66 32 81 44 84 64 84 48 64 84 52 59 52 61 83 39 36 82 54 42 76 60
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2017 THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS
Shetland Folk Festival Shindig Shuffle Down Skye Festival: Fèis an Eilein Skye Live Skye Whisky Festival Solas Festival Sonica Sound Thought soundfestival Sourn Fried Festival Southside Fringe Speyfest Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Spree St Andrew’s Day St Andrews Voices St Magnus International Festival Stereofunk Festival Stonehaven Fireballs Stonehaven Folk Festival Strathyre Music Festival Strichen Festival Summer Nights Syn/Συν Festival Edinburgh Tiree Music Festival TMSA Keith Festival To Absent Friends TradFest Edinburgh • Dùn Èideann True North Turing Festival Ukulele Festival of Scotland Ullapool Guitar Festival UnstFest Wee Dub Festival Wee G West End Festival WildFire Festival XpoNorth
39 60 44 56 74 50 52 80 32 80 59 42 60 38 78 83 80 50 39 84 56 46 44 61 32 58 50 81 38 76 68 50 78 58 31 83 55 52 48
OUTDOOR Angus Cycling Festival Angus Glens Walking Festival Arran Mountain Festival Ballater Walking Festival Banchory River Festival Beyond Borders International Festival of Literature and Thought Borders Walking Festival Cairngorms Nature Festival Coll Bird Festival Colonsay Festival of Spring Dundee Mountain Film Festival Edinburgh Festival of Cycling Edinburgh Marathon Festival
69 47 44 44 55
Fort William Mountain Festival Highland Archaeology Festival Highland Games Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival Irvine Valley Walking Festival Johnshaven Fish Festival Midlothian Walking Festival Moray Walking Festival Newton Stewart Walking Festival Oban, Lorn and Isles’ Festival of Sea Perth and Kinross Archaeology Year Royal Deeside Cycling Festival Scotland’s Gardening Festival Scottish Game Fair Shetland Nature Festival Slow Marathon Festival Tweed Valley Forest Festival Walk Islay
28 75 40 40 42 68 68 52 40 45 35 71 48 55 55 36 79 35
POLITICS Book Week Scotland Document Human Rights Film Festival Festival of Politics Scottish Queer International Film Festival Take One Action Film Festival
83 79 68 74 72
SCIENCE Caithness International Science Festival Dundee Science Festival Edinburgh International Science Festival Fife Science Festival GastroFest Glasgow Science Festival: Glasgow Explores Mugstock Festival NEoN Digital Arts Orkney International Science Festival Scottish Learning Festival TechFest Turing Festival Women in Science Festival
32 81 35 55 35 50 60 81 70 72 67 68 32
THEATRE & DANCE 67 70 47 42 40 82 50 47
3 Harbours Arts Festival Aberdeen AfroLatin Festival Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival Big Burns Supper Festival Braemar Creative Arts Festival Buzzcut Festival
48 78 60 61 26 79 35
Creative Peebles Festival Dance International Glasgow DanceLive Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Dunedin International Folk Dance Festival Eden Festival Edinburgh Festival Fringe Edinburgh International Festival Edinburgh International Magic Festival Edinburgh Iranian Festival Edinburgh Student Arts Festival Edinburgh’s Festival of Ireland Falkirk Tryst Festival Fringe by Sea Garioch atre Festival Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival Horsecross Youth Arts Festival Ignite Dundee Imaginate Festival Into New 2017 Lentfest Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Lorn Drama Festival Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival Magipup Festival manipulate Visual Theatre Festival Mayfesto Merchant City Festival Nairn Book and Arts Festival National Festival of Youth Theatre Northern Streams On the Rocks Student Arts Festival Perth Festival of Arts Perth Winter Festival Previously . . . Scotland’s History Festival Puppet Animation Festival Refugee Festival Scotland Shindig Solas Festival Sonica Southside Fringe St Magnus International Festival Surge Take Me Somewhere To Absent Friends Ullapool Dance Festival West End Festival
67 36 78 46 59 50 61 61 54 27 27 33 42 68 52 39 50 41 47 26 31 33 34 76 79 26 40 60 71 56 38 34 44 84 82 34 52 60 52 80 42 50 59 30 81 31 55
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The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Kelpies by Andy Scott, Falkirk
Castle Stalker, Argyll & Bute
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Calanais Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis
The Kelpies by Andy Scott, Falkirk
LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVALS
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2017 THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS
If you’re looking for the true spirit of Scotland, start your search at one of our VisitScotland iCentres. We’ll point you in the direction of the best the country has to offer, whether you need advice on where to go and what to do, or even if you’re looking to book accommodation and tickets for all kinds of events, activities and transport. Come and talk to our knowledgeable and friendly staff. You never know, we might just let you in on a few local secrets. Join us on:
Download our Scotland App
Go to visitscotland.com to download ebrochures, special offers and to sign up to our enewsletter. Join in the conversation at visitscotland.com/community. River Tay, Perthshire
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Creativity Matters To Scotland
Creativity is a vital part of our nation’s DNA – it brings individuals together, galvanising and reviving communities across the country, as well as opening our minds to cultural diversity and social inclusion. Cultural participation contributes toward our mental wellbeing and acts as a valuable tool in education and skills development. Visit www.creativescotland.com/ creativitymatters for more on why creativity matters to Scotland, and read the inspirational stories behind the people and projects we support.
Photo: Sam Gurrey and Fresh Creations www.fresh-creations.co.uk
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