The Guide to Scotland's Festivals 2025 by List Publishing Ltd

THE GUIDE TO SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS 2025

SCOTLAND’S FESTIVALS

FOREWORD

This guide is, on the one hand, a practical and (we hope) inspiring introduction to the many hundreds of festivals taking place in Scotland in 2025, a number of which you might be looking to attend and enjoy. On the other, it is also a publication that captures Scotland in a special way, showcasing a huge range of artistic, cultural and creative talent and activity, identifying unique venues, vibrant communities and special landscapes, and reminding us of the special thrill of joining a crowd, of engaging with others, of being close to the action, of being there.

Once we’d gathered up information from all sorts of sources to compile our lists, we found we had details to share of over 365 events planned for 2025. In other words, an average of one per day happening somewhere across the land. Given that these range from some of the world’s most ambitious and critically acclaimed arts gatherings to small, volunteer-run and free-to-attend community shindigs, it’s a great insight into the diversity of Scotland. It’s also likely that you’ll find something, somewhere, that works for your tastes, interests and cultural radar.

As we’ve put the guide together, we’ve worked with our partners Creative Scotland to ensure that the full range of creative, cultural and community riches on display in Scotland’s festivals and special events are introduced to you. In doing so, we’re also acknowledging the efforts of a huge number of determined and committed people who grapple with the considerable challenges of funding, logistics,

programming, personnel, marketing and organising for each event. To a remarkably high level, they achieve amazing results from limited resources, helping to create memorable experiences for hundreds of thousands of locals, visitors, volunteers, participants and performers.

In making use of this guide, please keep in mind that while we make extensive efforts to verify and check the information provided, it’s always possible that schedules, line-ups, prices and plans will change. Make use of our website (list.co.uk) as well as online and social media channels from the event organisers themselves to keep an eye on key details and updates. You will also find coverage of festivals and events in The List magazine, which comes out at the start of every month and is available as a free pick-up across Edinburgh and Glasgow. In 2025 The List celebrates its 40th birthday, and as part of that family of locally owned and run magazines, guides, websites and events, The Guide To Scotland’s Festivals is proud of its role in helping you get a life ever since 1985.

A SAMPLE OF WHAT’S IN THE GUIDE . . .

ART

The Borders Art Fair brightens up Kelso in the middle of March (see page 27)

FOOD & DRINK

Foodies Festivals take place on consecutive weekends in Edinburgh and Glasgow in August (see pages 65 & 67)

COMEDY

Glasgow’s International Comedy Festival in March presents top local, national and international talent (see page 26)

FAMILY

FyneFest gathers music, camping, food and drink in Argyll in late May (see page 46)

FILM/TV

Edinburgh’s International Film Festival comes to the cinemas of the capital for a fortnight in August (see pages 22 & 68)

MUSIC

The Shetland Folk Festival comes to the Northern Isles for the 43rd year in May (see page 35)

Project Editor

Donald Reid

Copy Editor and Producer

Paul McLean

Design and Layout

Bradley Southam

Listings by Data Thistle

Kelly Apter

Contributors

Lucy Ribchester, Ailsa Sheldon

Advertising

Jayne Atkinson, Lachlan McMaster

Proofreading

Jay Thundercliffe

CEO

Sheri Friers

PRINCIPAL SUPPORTING PARTNER

SUPPORTING PARTNER

COVER IMAGES:

From top to bottom, Column 1: Edinburgh International Festival (credit Mihaela Bodlovic); Foodies Festival; Islay Book Festival; Assembly Festival. Column 2: Stirling’s Hogmanay; Edinburgh International Festival; Music At The Multiverse (credit Mike Bolam). Column 3: Paisley Food & Drink Festival; Orkney Folk Festival (credit Lieve Boussauw); Spectra; Fringe By The Sea (credit Toby Jeffries). Column 4: Borders Art Fair; Edinburgh Military Tattoo; Dundead; Hawick Reivers Festival.

Published by List Publishing Ltd

2 Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh www.list.co.uk email festivals@list.co.uk

ISSN: 2054-8036

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 List Publishing Ltd.

This edition published February 2025 Printed by Acorn Web Offset Ltd.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

DATE

LOCATION & WEBSITE

68 JUNE THE REELING

NAME OF FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

Rouken Glen Park, Giffnock, thereeling.com

Growing from two days to three in 2025, The Reeling is back with another great line-up of music acts, including Tide Lines, Siobhan Miller Band, Blazin’ Fiddles, Dougie MacLean, Eddi Reader, Flook, Shooglenifty, Heisk, Ciaran Ryan Band, Valtos, Daimh and many more.

TipLists

Festival

With hundreds of events to consider, Scotland’s festival buffet can look tempting but also a little daunting. As a taster of what the scene has to offer, we’ve rustled up a few TipLists to help kickstart your festival planning

CLASSIC CAMPING & MUSIC FESTIVALS

It’s the quintessential rite of passage when it comes to the festival experience: cheap tent, inadequate sleep, big-name headliners, lots of stages, sunburn and/or trench foot, time of your life. There are many to choose from around Scotland in 2025, including the 10th birthday for Skye Live, where a big tent is perched on The Lump outside Portree in early May and you find a fusion of traditional music, DJs and dance acts. Later in May, the long-established Knockengorroch Festival draws you off-grid near Castle Douglas in Dumfries & Galloway for four days of grassroots folk, dance and world music from the Celtic diaspora. Also doing the south of Scotland proud is The Eden Festival, held in June just outside Moffat. An independent, not-for-profit community effort, there’s music over ten different stages alongside a kids’ arena, circus tent, comedy, cabaret and workshops.

Celebrating their 15th anniversary, the fourday Kelburn Garden Party in early July takes place near Fairlie on the Ayrshire coast, with seven stages of dance, funk, disco, dub, jazz and blues. Also setting up in the grounds of a castle, this time Lews Castle in Stornoway on the Isle Of Lewis, HebCelt turns up the volume on contemporary Gaelic and traditional music from home and abroad for four days in mid July. A couple of weeks later, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival near Inverness draws the biggest crowds of all to an expansive, familyfriendly festival featuring comedy, cabaret and even wrestling along with mainstream music acts and scores of other bands and performers.

Kelburn Garden Party

UNUSUAL FESTIVALS

One thing this guide proves is that the range of festivals happening this year in Scotland is immense, covering the full spectrum of arts, culture and entertainment. While labelling anything as ‘unusual’ is undoubtedly subjective, there are a few events that stand out as particularly distinctive or quirky, testimony to the diversity and reach of the country’s festival programme.

In March, the venerable Hippodrome cinema in Bo’ness in West Lothian hosts HippFest, a festival showing silent films, often accompanied by live music, while April sees the Glasgow Festival Of Burlesque celebrating the art of cabaret and burlesque with both performances and workshops.

A lot of the thrill of Edinburgh’s Hidden Door Festival in June is its itinerant location, moving each year to a different disused building and filling it with live music, visual art, dance, film and spoken word performance. This year it happens in a former paper and cardboard manufacturing facility on the outskirts of the city.

While there are slots for almost every conceivable genre of music at different festivals around the country, one of the most distinctive is surely the Oban International Shanty Festival, when sea songs and storytelling take centre stage in the Argyll port over midsummer weekend in June.

For spectacles, it’s hard to beat the Strathaven Balloon Festival in August, where they’ll be hoping for better weather than 2024 to allow the massed hot-air balloons to fly above South Lanarkshire. Later in the month and into early September, there are also eye-catching scenes on the Clyde coast at the annual Largs Viking Festival, where you can catch parades, re-enactments, fireworks and the burning of a long boat.

NEW FOR 2025

It’s one thing to think up a good idea for another festival. It’s quite another to make it happen. Fortunately, there’s sufficient vision, creativity, organisational prowess and determination in Scotland to ensure that fresh events are popping up all over the country in 2025. The New Lanark Film Festival is one, bringing the best of Scotland on screen and local filmmakers to the World Heritage Site by the River Clyde in March. Meanwhile, various venues and nightclubs in the centre and east end of Glasgow are the setting for an ambitious new multi-day music festival in June called Wastelands, which is set to showcase a wide range of trad, folk, jazz and electronica from the likes of Mandidextrous, corto.alto, Benny Page, Wand, Chalk and Junior Brother.

A ‘doof’ is an outdoor dance party and July sees the debut of Doof In The Park, with home-town girl Hannah Laing bringing some well-known names in hard house and trance to Camperdown Country Park in Dundee. Also in July, The Garden Party is a family-friendly festival with live music, DJs, wellbeing activities, crafts, storytelling and street food arriving at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston by Edinburgh. Meanwhile the subtle tweak to the name of Back Doune The Rabbit Hole points to a brand-new chapter for the troubled event. With the gathering at Port Of Menteith in early August now under new ownership, they’re looking to revive the spirit of old with a weekend of music, community and culture. August also sees the arrival of Fun For Life Fest which promises an array of live music, performances, sports, storytelling and games aimed at families in and around Tollcross Park in Glasgow.

Largs Viking Festival

New Lanark Film Festival

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A Sporting Chance

Big sports events often feel like pop-up festivals these days, with plenty of action both on and off the field. Donald Reid takes a peek at what this year’s Scottish sporting calendar has to offer

With their rows of food stalls, beer marquees and side-show entertainments, many larger sporting events in Scotland bear more than a passing resemblance to the multitude of festivals that welcome visitors and locals across the country each year. And it could be argued that the sporting arena offers as much by way of anticipation, emotion, theatre, drama, action and artistry as any stage, platform or festival field.

Kicking off our sporty round-up, Orkney hosts the International Island Games in July, with athletes of 24 island groups, from Guernsey to Greenland, competing in 12 sports including athletics, cycling, football, golf, sailing and triathlon. The action takes place across Orkney and tickets to watch all events are free.

The Commonwealth Games return to Glasgow next year, but it’s worth remembering that multisport events are pretty familiar in Scotland. Most weekends between May and September will see a Highland Games happening somewhere, offering a mix of amateur athletics, strong-man heaving and tossing competitions, dancing, bagpiping, stalls and family-oriented activities. Some are large, some emphasise local traditions, others are smaller and more free-flowing, but each is an important social and community gathering, and an inevitable draw for both locals and visitors. For handy listings of over 50

Highland Games, head to rshga.org/calendar

The big cities host the highest profile sporting fixtures such as the Six Nations rugby matches for men (February/March; Edinburgh) and women (March/April; Edinburgh), and international football for both men and women in the UEFA Nations League (Feb–May; Glasgow) and World Cup Qualifiers (October; Glasgow).

However, top-level sport can be found across the country. The Coral Scottish Grand National horse racing festival takes place in Ayr in April, with the same venue hosting the Ayr Gold Cup Festival in September. The annual Melrose Sevens rugby tournament kicks off in the heart of the Scottish Borders in May, while shinty’s Camanachd Cup Final is scheduled for Inverness in September.

The big golf tournaments of the year are the men’s Genesis Scottish Open near North Berwick, and the ISPS HANDA Golf Women’s Scottish Open in Ayrshire, both in July. The British Championships for downhill mountain biking happen in Fort William in July, International Horse Trials are at Scone Palace, near Perth, in August, the world-class mountain and trail running event Skyline Scotland hits Fort William in September, while windsurfing’s Tiree Wave Classic, the longest running professional windsurfing event in the world, rolls into the Isle Of Tiree in October.

Cowal Highland Gathering

QUEEN’S PARK GLASGOW

26TH - 29TH JUNE 2025

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+SPECIAL GUESTS HOTHOUSE FLOWERS SHARON SHANNON +SPECIAL GUESTS GLASVEGAS PP ARNOLD / BEN WALKER

CHit the Road

entral belt festivals are very convenient for a big chunk of the Scottish population, with easy transport connections and a quick journey home. That’s a bit easy though, don’t you think? Bring in a ferry or a crossborder journey and then you’ve got yourself a festival adventure. So to get you started, here are just some of the festivals we reckon are well worth the hike.

This year is the 43rd iteration of Shetland Folk Festival (1–4 May) with concerts held across the islands and a festival base in Lerwick. The Foy concerts on the Saturday night are always a highlight, with three venues each hosting visiting acts for short sets before the artists are bussed to the next venue. It’s frenetic and brilliant fun. Later in the month, Orkney Folk Festival (22–25 May) offers a gorgeous mix of Orcadian, Scottish and international folk musicians. Don’t miss the Stromness pub sessions for the finest music and craic. Orkney also hosts a number of other music, science and nature festivals as well as the prestigious multi-arts St Magnus International Festival (20–27 June). This

summer, Orkney also plays host to the Orkney 2025 International Island Games in July.

Out in the Hebrides, July brings Tiree Music Festival (TMF to its friends) where the sandy beaches and dazzling, flowering machair of Tiree host three days of dancing and good times. The festival was founded by musicians and always has an excellent line-up. Then HebCelt festival returns to Stornoway for a three-day Hebridean hoolie in community venues and a large arena site at Lews Castle (16–19 July). This year’s line-up includes Tide Lines, Eddi Reader and, for those with long memories, a return to the stage for Gaelic children’s TV favourite Donnie Dòtaman. On a smaller scale, Benbecula’s Eilean Dorcha Festival (25 & 26 July) features Skipinnish and Tumbling Paddies, while the Inner Hebridean islands of Mull, Colonsay, Islay and Jura all have festivals across a range of genres from music to whisky to literature.

Taking a peak south of the border, the bright lights, stellar line-ups and reputations of festivals such as Glastonbury, Isle Of Wight, Reading and Leeds will always catch the headlines,

PHOTO: SEAN PURSER

While it’s great to have music festivals on your doorstep, there’s added excitement about making a big trip to get to one. Ailsa Sheldon gets out her map and compass

while the likes of Creamfields, Download, Latitude, Parklife and Wireless will be on the radar of many tuned into the music zeitgeist. If you’re looking for options that feel a bit closer to home, Lindisfarne Festival is held on a farm overlooking Holy Isle in Northumberland (28–30 August). The Waterboys and Scouting For Girls are headlining for 2025, with plenty to discover across eight stages. Expect a Viking theme, and lots of dressing up. A bit further south, Moovin Festival (13–15 June) is a small, quirky event with a hippy vibe, held in a field near Stockport. Get down on the farm to funk, soul, reggae and drum & bass. For lovers of blues and ska, get your tickets sorted for Northern Kin Festival near Durham (1–3 August). There’s an acoustic big-top stage and two music marquees, with a focus on musicians from the north-east of England, and an eclectic mix of folk, blues, rock, ska, punk, pop, prog, indie and soul (Midge Ure, Michael Schenker and The Undertones are on the line-up). To the west, Beat-Herder is a growing grassroots mish-mash of colourful, eclectic music and events across a long weekend

in Lancashire (17–20 July): will you find your people at The Garage, The Laundrette or The Parish Church stage?

Or head over the sea to Northern Ireland for festival fun this year. Derry-Londonderry hosts

The City Of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival (1–5 May) with hundreds of artists playing at over 70 venues across the city and Billy Ocean confirmed as headliner. Belfast TradFest (27 July–3 August) is great craic too, with concerts and sessions filling the streets of the city with top tunes. For a different vibe, Ireland’s biggest electronic music celebration Emerge Music Festival returns to Belfast (23 & 24 August) as over 80 local and international acts take to four stages across the weekend, with stellar sound and light shows promised: Fatboy Slim, Bicep and Sonny Fodera headline. Staying in Belfast, Belsonic takes place throughout June, bringing huge acts to the city’s Ormeau Park. For 2025, gigs include Stereophonics, Charlie XCX, Justin Timberlake, Snow Patrol and Alanis Morissette, but you’ll need to be quick getting tickets.

Clockwise from top left; Orkney Folk Festival, HebCelt, Shetland Folk Festival, Eilean Dorcha Festival

PHOTO:

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Culture Club

Edinburgh is famed worldwide for its festivals, encompassing art, theatre, jazz, books, food, ﬁlm and more. You name it, come late summer there’s a festival for it, as Lucy Ribchester discovers

In 1947, Jewish refugee and theatre impresario Rudolf Bing had the idea to heal international wounds of war through a celebration of culture. The programme of theatre, ballet, opera and orchestral music he brought together became known as the Edinburgh International Festival. Thus began the association of Edinburgh with cultural summer festivals that has lasted almost 80 years to date, branching out to cover just about every conceivable creative discipline, from circus to cookery, blues to sculpture, short films to military marches.

The big guns

Edinburgh International Festival (1–24 August) is the one that started it all and is still going strong in its eighth decade. This year the theme is ‘The Truth We Seek’. Early announcements for the line-up include an acrobatic reimagining of Orpheus & Eurydice from Opera Queensland (featuring Australian contemporary circus legends Circa) and Scottish Ballet’s new gender-fluid, intergenerational production of Mary Queen Of Scots. The full programme is launched in March.

Edinburgh Fringe (1–24 August) is a madcap free-for-all that sprawls across town, and though it’s

administrated by The Fringe Society, technically it’s owned and run by no one. Major multisite operations such as Assembly, The Pleasance, Underbelly, The Stand and Gilded Balloon are all part of the Fringe, but there’s oodles more besides. The wild-west ethos means anyone can take part, from A-list stand-ups and world-class dance troupes to university student theatre groups taking over the local pub’s back room. Look out for the Tolstoy-length programme of around 3500 shows come early summer.

Essentially a fringe to the Fringe, the Free Festival (31 July–24 August) now claims two decades of widening access to the arts and providing space for performers and audiences without large budgets behind them. In many ways a visit to the Free Festival is like a nostalgic visit to the Fringe in its olden days: it’s a roulette wheel of quality, but run with love, grit and ingenuity.

Celebrating its 75th birthday this year, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (1–23 August) graces its spectacular location on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle with military pageantry and international cultural exchange. Even if you don’t manage to bag a ticket, you can still set your watch by the fireworks display over the castle every night.

Orpheus & Eurydice at Edinburgh International Festival; previous page, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Out of town

North Berwick’s Fringe By The Sea (1–10 August) has become a refreshing mainstay of the Edinburgh-adjacent summer festival season. The short train ride from the capital is well worth it to immerse yourself in fresh sea air, marquees with author talks, live bands, comedy and cookery demonstrations. This year the theme is ‘Timeless Treasures’ and the festival is featuring films for the first time. The central hub in the Lodge Grounds is packed with gourmet street-food stalls and has a proper grassy, bunting-laced festival vibe.

One-form festivals

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (11–20 July) is the funk equivalent of a klaxon signalling the start of Edinburgh’s festival season. Lower key than some of the other festivals, it nevertheless attracts world-class superstars, with over 130 gigs in genres from hip hop to contemporary to big band. The festival’s free Mardi Gras and Carnival events during opening weekend help start the season in style.

With its fantastic new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute just off the Meadows, Edinburgh International Book Festival (9–24 August) provides a peaceful escape from the Fringe crowds, as well as the chance to catch your favourite authors in the atmospheric Spiegeltent. Plus there’s always an excellent children’s literature programme.

Edinburgh International Film Festival (14–20 August) made a welcome return last year, showcasing local and international talent. This is its second year under the directorship of Paul Ridd, and for filmmakers on the up, submissions for short films and features are open until April.

Get your visual art fix at Edinburgh Art Festival (7–24 August) which spans the city’s galleries, from Talbot Rice in the city centre to Inverleith House in the Botanics, as well as out-of-town sculpture park Jupiter Artland. This year, a one-night, experimental mini-festival, Jupiter Rising x EAF, is set to celebrate queer artists, while the legendary Andy Goldsworthy is exhibiting work at National Galleries Scotland.

Food fests

Edinburgh Food Festival (18–27 July) fills Assembly George Square with mouthwatering food and drink stalls, from Hawaiian poke and Japanese gyoza to gourmet mac’n’cheese. It’s free to enter and there are live events to enjoy too.

Scran also comes in all its varieties at the Foodies Festival (1–3 August) at Inverleith Park. This established regular of the festival season is packed with Michelin-starred chefs, cookery TV-show champions and stages dedicated to specific techniques such as barbecue. Providing the festival soundtrack are headline music acts, which this year include The Wanted and Symphonic Ibiza.

PHOTO: KEITH SAUNDERS

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10–23 FEBRUARY DUNDEE SCIENCE FESTIVAL

FAMILY SCIENCE

Dundee Science Centre, Dundee, dundeesciencecentre. org.uk/festival

A fun-packed fortnight of events, activities and scientific demonstrations for all ages, taking place at Dundee Science Centre and city-wide. The theme for 2025 is ‘Visions of the Future’.

12–15 FEBRUARY MANIPULATE FESTIVAL

ART FAMILY FILM & TV

THEATRE & DANCE

Various venues, Edinburgh, manipulatearts.co.uk/festival

Scotland’s festival of animated film, puppetry and visual theatre returns for a four-day event. The 2025 festival will feature 15 live works and installations by artists practising in Scotland, three shortfilm programmes, two feature films, two open studios, and six public and industry workshops.

13–16 FEBRUARY FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL

FILM & TV OUTDOOR

Nevis Centre, Fort William, mountainfestival.co.uk

Four days of inspirational speakers, creative workshops, guided outdoor activities, thoughtprovoking films, competitions and awards, plus the adventurethemed interactive Festival Hub.

15 FEBRUARY SCOTTISH FESTIVAL OF REAL BREAD

FOOD & DRINK

Bowhouse, St Monans, scotlandthebread.org/event/ scottish-festival-of-realbread-2025

Celebrating the best in breadmaking and the chance to immerse yourself in the world of real bread, from simply eating it to debating the future of grain systems. The event features the annual Scottish Bread Championship, as well as a communal bread stall selling some of the finest loaves Scotland has to offer.

15 & 16 FEBRUARY

CAPITAL SCI-FI CON

FILM & TV LITERATURE

O2 Academy Edinburgh, capitalscificon.com

Capital Sci-Fi Con returns for its tenth anniversary year, bigger and better than ever before. An experience for the whole family, the event welcomes movie buffs, comic book aficionados and TV devotees of all ages for the ultimate sci-fi weekend.

20–23 FEBRUARY

GRANITE NOIR

LITERATURE

Music Hall, Aberdeen, aberdeenperformingarts.com

Back for its ninth edition, this popular literary festival is inspired by crime fiction in all its forms. Guests for 2025 include Paula Hawkins, Chris Brookmyre, Alan Warner, CJ Cooke, SJ Parris, Lucy Ribchester, Nicci French and many more.

21–23 FEBRUARY

WINTER WORDS FESTIVAL

LITERATURE

Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry, pitlochryfestivaltheatre. com/winter-words-festival

An exciting line-up of authors, playwrights, adventurers, broadcasters and actors from Scotland and beyond, including Alan Cumming, Andrew O’Hagan,

Michael Pedersen, Liz Lochhead, Kirsty Wark, Val McDermid, Douglas Stuart and more.

22 FEBRUARY BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, banff-uk.com

The Banff Mountain Film Festival features a brand-new collection of short films filled with extreme journeys, untamed characters and captivating cinematography. Join the world’s top adventure filmmakers and thrill-seekers as they climb, ski, paddle and ride into the wildest corners of the planet. The films can also be seen in other locations around Scotland later in the year.

26 FEBRUARY–9 MARCH GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow, glasgowfilmfest.org

GFF25 will bring premieres from 39 countries to the big screen at venues across Glasgow and beyond. World premieres include Tornado and Make it To Munich, while this year’s festival also features FrightFest, a programme of horror films and shorts, plus special screenings at atmospheric venues across the city of favourites such as Muriel’s Wedding, Coyote Ugly and The Craft

28 FEBRUARY–2 MARCH FIFE WHISKY FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK

Various venues, Fife, fifewhiskyfestival.com

Over 40 distilleries and independent bottlers from all over Scotland (and beyond) showcase their wares. After an opening

dinner on 28 February at Lindores Abbey Distillery in Newburgh, the main festival takes place on 1 March at the Corn Exchange in Cupar. Then, on 2 March, two bonded warehouses open their doors to festival-goers: The Single Cask in Glenrothes and Hannah Whisky Merchants in Dalgety Bay, with transport between the two also available.

ALSO HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY

. . .

• SCOTTISH COMMUNITY DRAMA ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL THEATRE & DANCE Various venues, across Scotland, February–May (see drama.scot for details)

• UEFA WOMEN’S NATIONS LEAGUE

SPORT Glasgow, 25 February

1 MARCH NAAFC ANNUAL ACCORDION & FIDDLE FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Grangemouth Town Hall, Grangemouth, naafcfestival.co.uk

A full day of accordion and fiddle competitions, including solo and group categories, followed by a closing dance with the Pure Scotch Ceilidh Band.

1 & 2 MARCH

COMIC CON SCOTLAND ABERDEEN

FILM & TV LITERATURE

P&J Live, Aberdeen, comicconscotlandnortheast.co.uk

This popular event showcases

star guests from movies, TV, streaming, gaming, anime and sports entertainment. Guests for 2025 include Nick Frost, Billie Piper, Alex Kingston, Arthur Darvill, Lennie James, Laurie Holden, Cooper Andrews, Pollyanna McIntosh, Matt Ryan, Myra Wilson, Warwick Davis and more.

6–9 MARCH, 13–16 MARCH INVERNESS MUSIC FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Inverness Methodist Church, Inverness, invernessmusicfestival.org

A local showcase opportunity for amateur performers, Inverness Music Festival has been welcoming groups and individuals for over 100 years. All ages and stages from any background are welcome to join in and help share a love of music and creative arts in a supportive environment.

8 & 9 MARCH

POWER GAMING & COMIC CON

FILM & TV LITERATURE SEC, Glasgow, forthefans.uk/power-gaming-con Power Con (formerly known as ACME Comic Con) returns to Glasgow for a weekend of special guests from the worlds of gaming, TV and comics. With engaging fan experiences, props and setbuilds, interactive areas, as well as the return of Scotland’s longestrunning cosplay competition.

10–15 MARCH GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Various venues, Dumfries & Galloway, gallowaymusicfestival.org.uk

Competitive music festival for amateur musicians of all ages. The event covers the musical spectrum: piano, brass, woodwind, recorder, strings, ensemble, vocal, choral, jazz, recital, composition, speech and more, with members of the public welcome to attend. The festival concert will be held at Newton Stewart cinema on Saturday 15 March.

10–22 MARCH PERFORM IN PERTH MUSIC

Various venues, Perth, perthshire-music-festival.org.uk

Annual musical competition with classes in Scottish country dancing and baton twirling, poetry, prepared reading, dramatic solos, and music, including vocal and instrumental solos, as well as bands and orchestras.

12–30 MARCH GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL

COMEDY

Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowcomedyfestival.com

Another packed programme of local, national and international comedic talent to tickle your funny bones. The 2025 line-up includes Russell Kane, Tom Segura, Fern Brady, Susie McCabe, Jimeoin, Catherine Bohart, Jamali Maddix and many more.

13–16 MARCH LOCHWINNOCH ARTS FESTIVAL

MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk Lochwinnoch’s annual mini arts festival featuring local musicians,

Alan Bissett’s Moira Trilogy, traditional music from Dàna, screenprinting workshops, local history talks, big-band dancing and a comedy night.

13–23 MARCH

ABERDEEN JAZZ FESTIVAL MUSIC

Various venues, Aberdeen, aberdeenjazzfestival.com

A host of musicians and performers descend on the Granite City for over a week of jazz and blues, with events held across Aberdeen, ranging from jamming and workshops, to chilled-out gigs on the green and late-night sessions.

14–16 MARCH BORDERS ART FAIR

ART

Borders Events Centre, Kelso, bordersartfair.com

Known as Scotland’s friendliest art fair, this weekend-long event attracts artists and galleries from across the Borders and beyond. It brings together painters, printmakers, sculptors, illustrators and many other creative practitioners for a celebration of contemporary visual art.

14–16 MARCH

C2C: COUNTRY TO COUNTRY

MUSIC

OVO Hydro, Glasgow, c2c-countrytocountry.com

Country music extravaganza featuring some of Nashville’s biggest acts. The 2025 line-up includes headliners Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley, Cody Johnson plus many more.

14–16 MARCH

STANZA: SCOTLAND’S INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL

LITERATURE

Byre Theatre, St Andrews, stanzapoetry.org

The 2025 festival theme is ‘How We Feel’, with a packed programme of poetry readings, creative workshops, live music and art. This year’s guests include Jackie Kay, Hannah Lavery, Joelle Taylor and many more.

15 MARCH

THE INDEPENDENT SPIRITS FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Leith Theatre, Edinburgh, independentspirits.co.uk

The four-part docuseries

Independent Spirits makes its world debut as part of Scotland’s inaugural Independent Spirits Festival, an event celebrating independent whisky bottlers and the whisky-loving community who seek them.

15 & 16 MARCH DORNOCH FIBRE FEST

ART HERITAGE

Various venues, Dornoch, Highland, fibrefest.org.uk

This festival of fibre and woollen crafts opens with a talk by Jane Bissett followed by a two-day masterclass with Chrissie Ryder. Plus classes on peg loom, Fair Isle knitting, short-row knitting, needle punch, wet felting, embroidery techniques and more. There are also two trading halls with free entry to both.

15 & 16 MARCH DRINKMONGER SPIRITS FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Mansfield Traquair, Edinburgh, drinkmonger.com/drinkmongerspirits-festival

Explore a world of over 150 spirits across diverse categories: agave,

Supporting Scotland’s Cultural Festivals

Creative Scotland supports festivals across Scotland, bringing people together to celebrate art and culture all year round. Join us in 2025!

Bidh Alba Chruthachail a’ cumail taic ri fèisean air feadh na h-Alba, a’ toirt daoine còmhla gus ealain is cultar a chomharrachadh fad na bliadhna.

A’ toirt taic do Fhèisean Cultarach na h-Alba

Thigibh còmhla rinn ann an 2025!

Superfan, Edinburgh International Childrens Festival

Photo by Brian Hartley / Dealbh le Brian Hartley

brandy, gin, liqueurs, vermouth, rum and whisky. Plus a cocktail demonstration area to help you master new skills and techniques.

19–23 MARCH GLASGOW SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowshort.org

The largest competitive short film festival in Scotland hosts an inclusive community of filmmakers and film lovers. 2025 sees the return of the Bill Douglas Award and Scottish Young Filmmaker competition, an Indonesian artist residency, a mix of comedy, horror and family shorts and much more.

19–23 MARCH HIPPODROME SILENT FILM FESTIVAL (HIPPFEST)

FILM & TV HERITAGE

The Hippodrome, Bo’ness, hippodromecinema.co.uk/hippfest HippFest is Scotland’s first and only festival of silent film with live music, held in Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema. Featuring a wide range of screenings, commissions, workshops and community events.

20–22 MARCH SCOTONOMICS FESTIVAL OF ECONOMICS

POLITICS

Various venues, Dundee, scotonomics.scot/festival-ofeconomics

A festival featuring seminars and talks with a number of high-profile speakers, plus art, comedy and music. Held across three days, sessions will look at Scotland’s economy and discuss the country’s place in a globalised financial system.

20–23 MARCH

EDINBURGH

INTERNATIONAL IMPROV FESTIVAL

COMEDY

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, edimprovfest.com Four days of workshops, shows and jams celebrating the best in improv from around the world. Headliners confirmed for 2025 include Keiko Agena, Alex Berg, Lilan Bowden, Todd Fasen, Alex Fernie and Jiavani.

21–23 MARCH

THE NIEL GOW FESTIVAL MUSIC

Various venues, Dunkeld & Birnam, nielgowfestival.co.uk

A weekend of music performances and workshops celebrating the life of Perthshire fiddle legend Niel Gow, with events taking place across the picturesque villages of Dunkeld and Birnam.

24–28 MARCH

NEW LANARK FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

New Lanark World Heritage Site, New Lanark, newlanark.org

This brand-new festival celebrates the best of Scotland on the screen. With community at the heartl, NLFF aims to promote the art of filmmaking in Scotland by exhibiting the very best of local talent.

27–30 MARCH

BERWICK FILM & MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

The Maltings, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, bfmaf.org

Now in its 19th year, Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival returns with a diverse programme of screening events and exhibitions.

28–30 MARCH

HAWICK REIVERS FESTIVAL

COMMUNITY HERITAGE

Town Centre, Hawick, hawickreivers.com

Step back in time to the 1500s with a festival that brings to life the reiver history, with exciting re-enactments, drama, music, poetry and more.

29 & 30 MARCH LARBERT REAL ALE FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Dobbie Hall, Larbert, tayside.camra.org.uk

A two-day festival showcasing over 50 ales, ciders and perries.

ALSO HAPPENING IN MARCH .

. .

• WORLD WHEELCHAIR CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

SPORT Stevenson, Ayrshire, 1–16 March

• GOVAN MUSIC

FESTIVAL MUSIC

COMMUNITY Various venues, Glasgow, 26–29 March

3–6 APRIL COUNTERFLOWS

MUSIC

Various venues, Glasgow, counterflows.com

After a year off, Scotland’s longest-running experimental music festival returns. The 2025 version welcomes a wide-reaching selection of international artists, exciting Scottish acts, new commissions, club nights, hangouts and more.

4 & 5 APRIL

THE WOOLLY GOOD GATHERING

ART HERITAGE

Various venues, Edinburgh, woollygood.co.uk

The Woolly Good Gathering celebrates knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners and fibre lovers with a festival of crafts, workshops, marketplaces, talks, food and music, based at Central Hall and Edinburgh Printmakers.

5 & 6 APRIL

SPRINGFEST: THE SCOTTISH FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, lochlomondfoodanddrinkfestival. co.uk

One of Scotland’s biggest food and drink festivals, this twoday event features cooking demonstrations by top Scottish chefs, workshops where you can get creative, a wide range of Scottish and UK producers selling their wares, street food and more.

5–20 APRIL

EDINBURGH SCIENCE FESTIVAL

FAMILY SCIENCE

Various venues, Edinburgh, sciencefestival.co.uk

Edinburgh Science Festival is back with an extensive programme for all ages, with fun hands-on activities, thought-provoking talks, dynamic performances and more. The 2025 festival will explore the challenges of living on a planet with finite resources, through the lenses of science fiction and space exploration, with the theme ‘Spaceship Earth’.

6 APRIL

SCOTTISH VEGAN FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, scottishveganfestival.com

A range of stalls from local and independent businesses selling all-vegan food and drink, clothing, cruelty-free cosmetics, gifts, crafts and more. Plus talks from speakers and charities, films and cooking demos.

11–15 APRIL

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL HARP FESTIVAL

MUSIC

George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, harpfestival.co.uk Renowned musicians entertain, inspire and educate through concerts, courses, workshops, sessions and more, celebrating the versatility of the harp. The 2025 line-up includes Caroline Lizotte & Étienne Ratthé (Quebec), Deborah Henson-Conant (US), Tarab Trio (Germany/Iraq/Iran), Rebecca Hill & Charlie Stewart (Scotland) and Dave Milligan & Corrina Hewat (Scotland), plus many others.

12 APRIL

CLACKMANNANSHIRE’S WHISKY FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Alloa Town Hall, Alloa, slanjevents.co.uk

Clackmannanshire’s Whisky Festival returns to celebrate Scotland’s national drink, with distilleries, independent bottlers and other whisky-related exhibitors from across Scotland and beyond. Plus interactive coopering demonstrations let attendees get involved in building a barrel.

12 & 13 APRIL

GLENFARG FOLK FEAST

MUSIC

Bridge of Earn Institute, Bridge of Earn, Perth & Kinross, glenfargfolkclub.com

Run by Glenfarg Folk Club, this friendly festival features live music, storytelling and poetry, with the 2025 line-up featuring the Eilidh Grant Trio, Reg Meuross, The Paul McKenna Band, Jim and Susie Malcolm, Wayward Jane and Brian McNeill.

12 & 13 APRIL

SCOTLAND’S DAFFODIL FESTIVAL

FAMILY OUTDOOR

Backhouse Rossie Estate, Collessie, Fife, backhouserossie.co.uk

Scotland’s Daffodil Festival offers a unique walk through daffodil history from the Wordsworthstyle flowers to some of the finest daffodils grown today, bred by Britain’s master growers Ron and Adrian Scamp. See the only National Scientific Collection of narcissus in the world and take a woodland walk to the ruined Covenanters Tomb. With stalls, plant sales, garden fete and a festival café.

18 & 19 APRIL

BISCUIT FACTORY BEVERAGE FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

The Biscuit Factory, Edinburgh, biscuitfactory.co.uk/bfbf2025

The second annual edition of the Biscuit Factory Beverage Festival, bringing together beer, boutique spirits, fine wines and other quality beverages over three three-hour sessions. Also includes drink seminars and masterclasses.

18–20 APRIL NORTHERN STREAMS

MUSIC

The Pleasance, Edinburgh, northernstreams.org Festival featuring Nordic/ Scandinavian and Scottish music, song and dance, with concerts, workshops and sessions from up-and-coming and established artists. Organised by the TMSA (Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland) Edinburgh & Lothians Branch.

19 & 20 APRIL

MACMORAY EASTER FESTIVAL

FAMILY MUSIC

Cooper Park, Elgin, macmoray.com

Family-friendly festival with two large outdoor music stages, children’s activities, food stalls and a funfair. On the bill for 2025 are Vengaboys, Lasgo, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Black Lace, Showaddywaddy, N-Trance, Baccara and many more.

19 & 20 APRIL TERMINAL V MUSIC

Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, terminalv.co.uk

Terminal V Festival is back for its 11th edition, featuring a huge line-up of the world’s biggest electronic music acts across six stages over the Easter weekend, including Brutalismus 3000, Blawan, Patrick Mason, Charlie Sparks, DJ Hyperdrive, Kettama, AZYR, Deborah de Luca, Testpress and simOne.

24–27 APRIL

GLASGOW FESTIVAL OF BURLESQUE

THEATRE & DANCE

The Riding Room, Glasgow, glasgowfestivalofburlesque.com Glasgow Festival Of Burlesque celebrates the art of cabaret and burlesque, featuring talented performers from Glasgow and much further afield, with plenty of workshops and performances to entertain audiences.

24–27 APRIL

MULL MUSIC FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Tobermory, Isle Of Mull, facebook.com/mullmusicfestival

A lively weekend of Scottish music in venues throughout Tobermory, featuring folk-rock bands, fiddle, accordion, dance and ceilidh bands.

25 & 26 APRIL PAISLEY FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Various venues, Paisley, paisley.is/featured_event/paisleyfood-and-drink-festival

Two days of top street food from across Scotland, fantastic local traders, live music, food workshops and more.

25–27 APRIL ORKNEY BLUES FESTIVAL MUSIC

Various venues, Stromness, Orkney, orkneyblues.co.uk

The festival hosts some of the best rhythm and blues artists from around the world, supported by an eclectic mix of local music. The line-up for 2025 includes Franny Eubank & His Blues Band, rock and blues legend Gerry McAvoy, and UK Blues Awards nominee Connolly Hayes.

25–27 APRIL PAISLEY BOOK FESTIVAL LITERATURE

Various venues, Paisley, paisleybookfestival.com

Now entering its sixth year, the theme for Paisley Book Festival 2025 is ‘The Lives We Live’, and they’ll be hosting writers who have big ideas about navigating the most fundamental questions we face.

Borders Art Fair, page 27

25–27 APRIL

SANDS: INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF ST ANDREWS

FILM & TV

Byre Theatre, St Andrews, sands-iff.com

A three-day festival presenting an exciting and diverse international showcase of contemporary and classic cinema, alongside a range of supporting events.

25–30 APRIL POMEGRANATES FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE THEATRE & DANCE

Various venues, Edinburgh, tracscotland.org

The fourth Pomegranates Festival will once again celebrate traditional dance from Scotland and around the world. Expect a curated series of exhibitions, films, workshops, masterclasses, discussions, dance theatre shows, walking tours, family events and their popular Ceilidh Plus, where Scotland meets the world.

26 APRIL FIFE BRASS BAND FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Lochgelly Centre, Lochgelly, Fife, fifebbfestival.wixsite.com/fbbf

Brass band entertainment competition for bands from Scotland and beyond, open to members of the public to enjoy a day of music-making with live performances from all bands.

26 APRIL SCOTLAND CALLING

MUSIC

O2 Academy Glasgow, academymusicgroup.com/ o2academyglasgow

One-day punk festival with the 2025 line-up featuring Cockney Rejects, U.K. Subs, Anti-Nowhere League, GBH, Bar Stool Preacher, Spear Of Destiny, Riskee & The Ridicule, Random Hand, Fire Exit, Cyanide Pills and more.

26 APRIL

STEREOFUNK FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Hamilton Park Racecourse, Hamilton, stereofunkfestival.co.uk

This boutique music festival has firmly established itself in the Scottish clubbing calendar. The 2025 line-up includes Fragma, DJ Sash, N-Trance, Atomic Kitten, East 17, QFX, Dream Frequency, Ultrabeat and many more.

26 & 27 APRIL COLONSAY BOOK FESTIVAL

LITERATURE

Various venues, Isle Of Colonsay, colonsaybookfestival.org.uk

Book festival on the beautiful Inner Hebridean isle of Colonsay, with readings and performances, plus opportunities to meet and chat with the authors. Among the 2025 programme highlights are Janette Ayachi, Ben Macintyre, Coinneach MacLeod (aka The Hebridean Baker), Adam Nicolson and Caro Ramsay.

26 & 27 APRIL GLASGOW

COFFEE FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

The Briggait, Glasgow, glasgowcoffeefestival.com

Glasgow Coffee Festival is a celebration of the mighty coffee bean, showcasing Scotland’s speciality coffee scene with roasters, bars, brews and baristas hosting tastings and presentations.

27 APRIL GLASGOW BLUES, RHYTHM & ROCK FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Òran Mór, Glasgow, solidentertainments.com/blues/ glasgow

Genre-spanning music festival with a 2025 line-up featuring the likes of Brave Rival, Connolly Hayes, Brian Rawson Band, Blue Milk and more.

30 APRIL BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL

HERITAGE OUTDOOR

Calton Hill, Edinburgh, beltane.org

A modern interpretation of the ancient fertility festival of Beltane on 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, of course, fire.

30 APRIL–2 MAY WIDE DAYS

MUSIC

Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, widedays.com

Scotland’s annual music convention returns, featuring live performances, workshops, panel discussions and lots of networking opportunities.

30 APRIL–5 MAY SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Various venues, Speyside, spiritofspeyside.com/festivals/ whisky

Six-day festival with more than 500 whisky-inspired events, inviting visitors to meet the makers, taste the whiskies and

THU 8 MAY

LIVE (A—Z)

Astro Bloc

Beluga Lagoon

Cala

Càrnan

Donald Macdonald

OPENING CONCERT

Skipinnish + Beth Malcolm

DJS (A—Z)

Eclair Fi

Emjanero

Niamh Jobson

Optimo ( Espacio)

Thu 8 — Sat 10 May 2025

Portree, Isle of Skye

Elephant Sessions

Gnoss

Grace Morton

Kinnaris Quintet

Lord Of e Isles & Ellen Renton

LUSA

Project Smok

Talisk

Valtos

skyelive.co.uk

@SkyeLiveFest

discover the passion behind them. Plus food, live music, talks, tours, outdoor adventures, Spirit Of Speyside Whisky Awards and the renowned Whisky School.

ALSO HAPPENING IN APRIL . .

• UEFA WOMEN’S NATIONS LEAGUE

SPORT Glasgow, 4 April

• SCOTTISH

NATIONAL SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP

SPORT Thurso, Highland, 18–20 April

1–4 MAY ALCHEMY FILM AND MOVING IMAGE FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Various venues, Hawick, alchemyfilmandarts.org.uk

Now in its 15th year, this distinctive festival of experimental film features an international programme of cinema screenings, moving-image exhibitions, live performances and a ceilidh.

1–4 MAY SHETLAND FOLK FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Various venues, Shetland, shetlandfolkfestival.com

Now in its 43rd year, Shetland Folk Festival welcomes visiting and local acts to the UK’s most northerly folk festival. The 2025 line-up includes Michael Daves & Jacob Jolliff, Margo Cilker, Richard Wood, The Traveling Janes, Mec Lir, The Maes, The Hot Seats, Julie Alapnes, Budapest Café Orchestra, Duo

Ruut, Good Guy Hank, Astro Bloc, Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe & Daniel Quayle, Elias Alexander, Haltadans and many more.

2–4 MAY BONFEST

MUSIC

Various venues, Kirriemuir, bonfest.com

Three nights of live music as fans from around the world descend on the Angus town to celebrate its most rock’n’roll son, AC/DC frontman Bon Scott. The 2025 line-up includes Girlschool, The Wildhearts, Hardbone, These Wicked Rivers, The Virginmarys, The Karma Effect, The Hot Damn, Silveroller and Lovetrain, as well as some of the best AC/DC tribute bands in the world such as Back ‘n’ Black, ACinDC and Sin City.

2–4 MAY

GIRVAN TRADITIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Girvan, girvantraditionalfolkfestival.org.uk

Celebrating its 50th year in 2025, this popular festival run by Girvan Folk Club features open sessions, concerts, workshops, a ceilidh, storytelling, talks, trails and children’s events.

2–4 MAY

LOCH SHIEL FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Various venues, Loch Shiel, Highland, lochshielfestival.com

Loch Shiel Festival is one of the most interesting and inspiring chamber music festivals in Scotland, set around one of the country’s longest lochs and featuring unique performances by leading musicians.

2–4 MAY

MUCK N’ MAC FEST

FAMILY OUTDOOR SPORT

Traquair House, Innerleithen, Scottish Borders, mucknmacfest.co.uk

A weekend of gravel riding, live music, talks, films and familyfriendly activities at Traquair House, Scotland’s oldest inhabited home, based next to the finest gravel trails the Tweed Valley has to offer.

2–10 MAY DUNSPLAYFEST

MUSIC THEATRE & DANCE

Volunteer Hall, Galashiels, dunsplayfest.org.uk

Featuring over 60 performances, including play premieres, rehearsed readings, workshops, cabaret acts and parties, this festival has gathered a strong reputation for quality theatre and music.

2–12 MAY EDINBURGH

TRADFEST

HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghtradfest.com

Annual celebration of traditional music from Scotland and around the world, with an extensive programme of concerts and workshops, performed and hosted by world-class musicians.

3 & 4 MAY

QUEEN’S PARK SPRING WEEKENDER

MUSIC

Queen’s Park Recreation Ground, Glasgow, facebook.com/ queensparkspringweekender

Two days of music and live DJs, featuring Melting Pot, Optimo (Espacio), The Blessed Madonna, Erol Alkan, Folamour, Horse Meat Disco and more. Plus food trucks and bars.

3 & 4 MAY TECTONICS

MUSIC

City Halls & Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, bbc.co.uk/tectonics

Led by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, international and local artists gather to explore the boundaries of classical and other forms of music, with a spotlight on new, experimental and genre-defying vocalists, performers and composers.

3–5 MAY OPEN STUDIOS NORTH FIFE

ART

Various venues, Fife, openstudiosfife.co.uk

An opportunity to speak to artists about their methods and sources of inspiration and perhaps buy or commission directly from them, while exploring a lovely part of Scotland. Some artists run workshops and demonstrations during the event, and you also get to see inside the interesting spaces in which they create.

3–10 MAY CAITHNESS & SUTHERLAND WALKING FESTIVAL

OUTDOOR

Kyle Of Tongue Hostel & Campsite, Tongue, Highland, northhighlandway.co.uk

A week of guided walks in some of the wildest and most northerly reaches of Scotland, taking in the scenery and local wildlife.

3–17 MAY FALKIRK SCIENCE FESTIVAL

FAMILY SCIENCE

Various venues, Falkirk, falkirkleisureandculture.org

Dundead, page 39

The fifth annual Falkirk Science Festival features a wide range of activities, shows, talks and screenings suitable for all.

3–31 MAY ANGUS FESTIVAL OF MAKERS

ART

Various venues, Angus, anguscreatives.co.uk

Visit exhibitions and open studios across Angus, talk to the artists and makers and perhaps buy something beautiful and original for the home.

5–10 MAY SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL OUTDOOR SPORT

Various venues, Fort William, ssdt.org

Motorcycle trial with riders completing up to 100 miles each day over six consecutive

days. Each day they take on a combination of rough moorland, rocky tracks and public roads, with routes designed to challenge the ability, experience, strength and stamina of each rider.

5–18 MAY COLONSAY FESTIVAL OF SPRING

COMMUNITY FAMILY OUTDOOR

Various venues, Isle Of Colonsay, colonsayspringfest.com

Learn more about the rich natural heritage of the island through a whole host of guided walks, activities and events.

7 & 8 MAY TURING FEST SCIENCE

EICC, Edinburgh, turingfest.com

A coming together of tech startups, scale-ups, product teams, revenue teams, leaders, thinkers

and innovators, all under one roof sharing knowledge, ideas and building connections.

8–10 MAY

SKYE LIVE

HERITAGE MUSIC

The Lump, Portree, Isle Of Skye, skyelive.co.uk

The tenth year of this two-day music festival offering a fusion of genres, with traditional music, bands, DJs and dance acts. The 2025 line-up includes Skipinnish, Beth Malcolm, Astro Bloc, Beluga Lagoon, Cala, Càrnan, Donald Macdonald, Elephant Sessions, Gnoss, Grace Morton, Kinnaris Quintet, Lord Of The Isles & Ellen Renton, LUSA, Project Smok, Talisk and Valtos. Plus sets from DJs Eclair Fifi, Emjanero, Niamh Jobson and Optimo.

8–11 MAY

DUNDEAD HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee, dca.org.uk

Dundead is an annual horror and cult film festival that brings together a mix of previews and premieres of brand-new genre titles, as well as specially selected horror classics.

9–11 MAY

BOSWELL BOOK FESTIVAL LITERATURE

Dumfries House, Cumnock, East Ayrshire, boswellbookfestival.co.uk

Inspired by the great Ayrshire biographer James Boswell and held in the spectacular grounds of Dumfries House, Boswell Book Festival is the world’s only festival of biography and memoir, attracting a host of big-name authors each year.

9–11 MAY

MONIAIVE FOLK FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Moniaive, Dumfries & Galloway, moniaivefolkfestival.com

Three days of music sessions, a family events programme, craft fair, open stages, workshops, food and drink, and more.

9–12 MAY

CRIEFF & STRATHEARN DROVERS’ TRYST WALKING FESTIVAL

HERITAGE OUTDOOR

Various venues, Perthshire, droverstryst.com

A celebration of the life, work and traditions of the people who made Crieff the cattle-droving crossroads of Scotland in the 1700s. Enjoy a programme of guided walks in the stunning scenery of Strathearn and surrounding areas, enriched by wildlife, plants, trees and history.

9–15 MAY

NEWTON STEWART WALKING FESTIVAL

OUTDOOR

Various venues, Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway, walkfestnewtonstewart.com

Walkfest offers around 30 routes over seven days in wonderfully unspoiled landscapes, with transport and guides included as well as a programme of evening social events.

9–24 MAY

DANCE INTERNATIONAL GLASGOW

THEATRE & DANCE

Tramway, Glasgow, tramway.org/diglasgow

This biennial dance festival, produced by Tramway, returns

to Glasgow with an impressive programme of live performance from international choreographers and artists, alongside emerging and local talent. Plus screenings, community events, workshops and a family programme.

10 MAY

FESTHAILES

FAMILY MUSIC

Newhailes House & Gardens, Musselburgh, eventbrite.co.uk

Family-friendly music festival in the grounds of Newhailes House, featuring a range of tribute acts including Totally Taylor, Could It Be Take That, 90s Pop Party and others. Plus fairground rides, playpark, street food, face painting and more.

10

& 11 MAY

EDINBRICK LEGO MODEL SHOW

FAMILY

Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh, facebook.com/edinbrick

Moving to a bigger venue this year, Edinbrick Lego Model Show is a not-for-profit event celebrating the joys of building and collecting Lego, with new models, build zones and activities (not associated/affiliated with The Lego Group).

12–18 MAY

ORKNEY NATURE FESTIVAL

FAMILY OUTDOOR

Various venues, Orkney, orkneycommunities.co.uk/ orkneynaturefestival

Head to the Northern Isles and explore Orkney’s fascinating and beautiful wildlife through walks, talks, activities, demonstrations, concerts and more.

15–17 MAY LORN DRAMA FESTIVAL

FAMILY THEATRE & DANCE

Corran Halls, Oban, facebook.com/lorndramafestival

The Lorn Drama Festival features amateur drama and acting talent from across Argyll & Bute, showcasing around ten–15 plays by local drama groups.

15–18 MAY

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, & Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling, banff-uk.com

Touring collection of adventure-based short films. See entry page 25.

15–31 MAY DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY ARTS FESTIVAL

FAMILY MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Dumfries & Galloway, dgartsfestival.org.uk

This important annual festival features world-class performing arts from both local and national artists, including theatre, music, dance, comedy and children’s shows.

16–18 MAY

FIFESING: THE FIFE TRADITIONAL SINGING FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Falkland & Freuchie, Fife, springthyme.co.uk/fifesing

Taking place in the picturesque villages of Falkland and Freuchhie, this weekend of traditional song offers a unique opportunity to meet singers and hear traditional song in an informal gathering, and participate in concerts, workshops and singarounds.

16–18 MAY SPRINGGRASS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL MUSIC

The Vault Arts Centre, Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway, tradmusic.com

Trad Music Trust presents the fourth annual SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival, featuring the very best in UK and international bluegrass/Americana acts. The 2025 line-up includes Eilidh Patterson from Northern Ireland and Hildaland from Orkney, with many more to be announced.

16–19 MAY

ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL

OUTDOOR

Various venues, Isle Of Arran, arranmountainfestival.co.uk

An opportunity to enjoy guided walks, runs and scrambles with knowledgeable and experienced local guides in Arran’s landscape.

17 & 18 MAY

SCOTTISH WILD FOOD FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK

Tir Na Nog Holistic Centre, Balfunning, Stirling, scottishwildfoodfestival.co.uk

Set in the spectacular surroundings of Tir Na Nog, the festival encourages people of all ages to step outdoors and learn about local wild food. With lavish meals, foraging walks, wild drinks, forest school, workshops, live music and a marketplace.

17–23 MAY

BALLATER WALKING FESTIVAL

OUTDOOR

Various venues, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, walkballater.com

Knockengorroch Festival page 43

Immerse yourself in the moment

Outdoor festival catering to walkers of all abilities, with easy, medium and strenuous walks across seven active days. Events are led by knowledgeable local residents, full-time rangers and professional mountain guides.

18 MAY FLY PRESENTS WAREHOUSE’92

MUSIC

Murrayfield Ice Arena, Edinburgh, flyflyfly.co.uk

Dance music revellers come together for the latest edition of FLY’s bi-annual music festival. The diverse line-up will showcase a myriad of genres, from house to garage to techno, featuring sets from internationally acclaimed DJs.

19–21 MAY PINT OF SCIENCE FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK SCIENCE

Various venues, Scotland, pintofscience.co.uk

Taking place in 43 towns and cities across the UK, (including Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews), scientists and researchers head to pubs, cafés and other places to share and discuss their latest discoveries with you.

19–24 MAY CAMPBELTOWN

MALTS FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Various venues, Campbeltown, insidethecask.com/event/ campbeltown-malts-festival

A four-day celebration of Campbeltown’s whiskies: Glen Scotia, Springbank and Glengyle, as well as the oldest independent bottler in Scotland, Cadenhead’s. Enjoy distillery tours,

masterclasses, local craft stalls, live music and much more.

22–25 MAY

KNOCKENGORROCH FESTIVAL

FAMILY MUSIC

Knockengorroch Farm, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway, knockengorroch.org.uk

Now in its 27th year, the theme at Knockengorroch for 2025 is ‘Survival’, with performances by Kinnaris Quintet, Mungo’s Hi Fi Soundsystem, Moxie, General Levy, Serial Killaz, Euphonique, Gasper Nali, Omega Nebula, The Fontanas, State of Satta, Mama’s Broke, Awry, Jack Badcock, DJ Dolphin Boy X Kuchke, Kryptik, Portnawak & The Woo, The Native Cult and more.

22–25 MAY

ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Various venues, Orkney, orkneyfolkfestival.com

This well-loved festival returns for its 42nd edition, with leading artists from Scotland and around the world. The 2025 line-up features Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, Auskerry, Guy Davis, Findlay Napier, Project Smok, Malin Lewis, Fara, Paul McKenna, Buddy MacDonald, The Chair, Craig Paton Scottish Dance Band, Gnoss, Frigg, Daoirí Farrell Trio, Dreamers’ Circus, Emil Kárlsen, The Magpies, Natalie and Brittany Haas, Saltfishforty and many more.

22–25 MAY PUNK ON THE PENINSULA MUSIC

Coal Pier, Dunoon, punkonthepeninsula.rocks

With over 40 bands appearing across multiple stages, this weekend brings a mix of legendary names from the punk and alternative music world alongside up-and-coming bands making waves throughout the UK and beyond. The 2025 line-up includes The Samples, Fire Exit, The Guillotines, Knock Off, Jock Sparra, Unrivalled, Bareknuckle Strollers, Control, Planet Strange, Hung Like Hanratty, Shanghai Treason, Root System, Split Dogs and more.

22–31 MAY PERTH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Perth, perthfestival.co.uk

A vibrant celebration of visual and performing arts, connecting leading artists from around the world with the rich cultural life of Perth. The 2025 line-up includes the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Lenny Henry and Mike Lovatt’s Brass Pack.

23 & 24 MAY STRICHEN FESTIVAL FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

The Ritchie Hall, Strichen, Aberdeenshire, buchanheritagesociety.co.uk/ strichen-festival

This friendly festival has been running since 1984 and offers a programme of traditional music, song, verse, drama and dance, plus competitions and ceilidhs.

23–25 MAY BEARSCOTWEST COMMUNITY

Various venues, Glasgow, bearscots.org.uk

Run by BearScot (Scotland’s

group for bears, cubs, chubs and their admirers), BearScotWest is three days of fun events across the city, such as parties, guided walks, afternoon teas and ‘taps aff’ club nights.

23–25 MAY RISE FESTIVAL

THEATRE & DANCE

The Park Ecovillage, Findhorn, Moray, dancenorth.scot

An innovative programme of contemporary dance and performance, featuring work from a host of choreographers and groups, both international and local, plus talks, films and special events.

23–25 MAY SANQUHAR ARTS FESTIVAL ART

Various venues, Sanquhar, Dumfries & Galloway, merz.gallery

A jam-packed programme of displays, exhibitions and performances held at various venues in Sanquhar.

23–26 MAY TARBERT SCOTTISH SERIES

OUTDOOR SPORT

Tarbert, Argyll & Bute, scottishseries.co.uk

Annual sailing regatta which attracts yachts from all over the UK, with a range of courses and races, plus a social programme of live music in the harbour-side marquee.

23–31 MAY FÉIS ÌLE: THE ISLAY FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Isle Of Islay, feisile.co.uk

A ten-day festival focusing on whisky, live entertainment and the beautiful scenery of the island.

Each distillery hosts its own open day, with tastings, tours, music and more. You can also enjoy ceilidhs, folk nights, whisky nosings, and ‘flings’ on the first and last evenings of the festival.

24 MAY–1 JUNE EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

FAMILY THEATRE & DANCE

Various venues, Edinburgh, imaginate.org.uk

Edinburgh’s acclaimed children’s festival delivers a programme of theatre, dance, storytelling and puppetry presented by top companies from around the world.

24 MAY THE GATHERING MUSIC

Northern Meeting Park Arena, Inverness, thegatheringscotland.com

One-day music festival celebrating the music, culture, food and drink of the Highlands. The 2025 line-up includes Skipinnish, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Torridon, Kinnaris Quintet, Calum Macphail, Claire Hastings, City Of Inverness Youth Pipe Band and lots more.

24 & 25 MAY EDINBURGH MARATHON FESTIVAL OUTDOOR SPORT

Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghmarathon.com

Scotland’s largest running festival of its kind, with seven races to choose from over two days including the marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k, team relay and junior races.

24–26 MAY SPRING FLING ART

Various venues, Dumfries & Galloway, spring-fling.co.uk

Artists and craft-makers welcome you into their studios to discover their work, how they make it, their inspiration, tools, materials and techniques. Around 80 studios take part, showcasing painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, jewellery and textiles.

30 MAY–1 JUNE ANSTRUTHER

HARBOUR FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Anstruther Harbour, Anstruther, anstrutherharbourfestival.org

This three-day festival revives

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, this page

PHOTO: RUTH ARMSTRONG

2025 THEmE: SURVIVAL MAIRSINNEACHD

Celebrate Music, Land, Community in the hills of South West Scotland » 22-25 MAY 2025

Our first line-up announcement... Dub Pistols feat. Lindy Layton

African Head Charge | Elephant Sessions

Rokia KonÉ | Kinnaris Quintet

Mungo’s Hi Fi Sound System | General Levy

Moving Shadow | Omega Nebula | Serial Killaz

Vandal | Euphonique | The Fontanas

Gasper Nali | Kate Young | State of Satta

Mama’s Broke | Formidable Vegetable | Tashkezar

Awry | Samson Sounds | Mima Merrow | Girobabies

Bunty Looping | Jack Badcock | Kryptik | racecar

Isa Gordon & Harry Gorski Brown | Mishra

Bristol Branch | Breezy Lee | Dara Dhubh

Cera Impala | Gathering Sound Sessions

And many more live and dance music acts

Plus! Camping, dance, COMEDY, workshops, sessions, children’s area, real ales, healing area, hot showers, stalls, fire show and more » www.knockengorroch.org.uk »

the burgh’s historic ‘Anster Fair’ market with food and craft stalls from local traders, live music and dance events, plus special entertainment for children.

ALSO HAPPENING IN MAY .

. .

• WOODLAND DANCE

PROJECT MUSIC Vogrie Country Park, 10 May

• MELROSE SEVENS

RUGBY SPORT The Greenyards, Melrose, 22–25 May

• THE FIFE SHOW FAMILY

HERITAGE Kinloss House, Cupar, 24 May

30 MAY–1 JUNE FYNEFEST

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Fyne Ales, Achadunan, Argyll & Bute, fynefest.com

An award-winning, family-friendly beer, food and music festival in the beautiful surroundings of Glen Fyne. Breweries for 2025 include Farm Yard Brew Co, Pastore Brewing & Blending, and Beak Brewery, while the music line-up will include Pictish Trail, Kapil Seshasayee and Sacred Paws.

31 MAY & 1 JUNE RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL MUSIC

Riverside Museum, Glasgow, riversidefestivalglasgow.com

On the banks of the River Clyde, Glasgow’s premier electronic music festival features top DJs, heavy hitters from the international scene and local talent.

31 MAY–7 JUNE

INVERNESS FESTIVAL OF WALKING AND WHEELING

OUTDOOR SPORT

Various venues, Inverness, wawfest.com

A week-long celebration of walking and wheeling, shining a light on the opportunities in the heart of the Highlands to enjoy the benefits of being active outdoors.

JUNE (DATES TBC) NT ART WEEK

ART

Various venues, Edinburgh, ntart.org

Throughout the city’s New Town area, this celebration of Edinburgh’s independent art galleries and the artists linked to them highlights international and home-grown talent.

1 JUNE

DUNDEE WESTFEST: BIG SUNDAY

FAMILY MUSIC

Magdalen Green, Dundee, dundeewestfest.org

Dundee’s Magdalen Green plays host to a family fun day with a range of attractions, arts and crafts, live music, displays, food stalls and carnival rides.

1–15 JUNE

LIGHT THE BLUE

FAMILY MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Aberdeen, aberdeenperformingarts.com/ light-the-blue

Light The Blue is a multi-artform festival created for young people, by young people. Taking place in venues across Aberdeen city centre, it features a line-up of theatre, dance, music, film, circus and more.

1–29 JUNE WESTFEST

COMMUNITY FAMILY MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Glasgow, westfest.uk

Glasgow’s newest and biggest cultural and community festival. In 2025, the third WestFest will bring together over 150 events in 60-plus venues across the West End, including exhibitions, performances, talks, workshops and screenings, many free of charge

5–15 JUNE

GLASGOW SCIENCE FESTIVAL

FAMILY SCIENCE

Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowsciencefestival.org.uk

In 2025, Glasgow turns 850 years old and to mark the occasion, this year’s Science Festival has the theme ‘Glasgow Celebrates’. Now in its 19th year, the festival celebrates all things Glasgow, from the growth of the city to the importance of the River Clyde, as well as the scientific research being done in the city, and the people who have made it possible.

6 & 7 JUNE

CURRIE BEER AND CURRY FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Currie Community Centre, Currie, cbdrt.com

Things are heating up in the village of Currie with this annual event, which offers a chance to sample real ales, prosecco and wine, plus a range of curries, with live music performances across the weekend.

6–8 JUNE

ARRAN

FOLK FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Brodick, Isle Of Arran, arranfolkfestival.co.uk

Arran Folk Festival brings concert performances, workshops, and afternoon and late-night sessions to venues across Brodick.

6–8 JUNE CYMERA: SCOTLAND’S FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY AND HORROR WRITING LITERATURE

The Pleasance, Edinburgh, cymerafestival.co.uk

A space for readers and writers to come together in celebration of genre fiction. At Cymera, you’ll find author panels and book signings, writing workshops, open mics, live performances, bookish quizzes, tabletop gaming spaces and much more.

6–8 JUNE MEATOPIA

FOOD & DRINK SWG3, Glasgow, meatopia.co.uk

The barbecue, grilling and music fest Meatopia, which has been running for nearly a decade in New York, crosses the ocean for its first foray into Glasgow.

6–8 JUNE POTFEST SCOTLAND ART

Scone Palace, near Perth, potfest.co.uk

Under large marquees across the palace lawns, meet the 90 studio-ceramics artists taking part, wander Scone’s grounds and gardens, talk to the makers, discover what fuels their passion for clay, then buy direct.

6–8 JUNE THE REELING MUSIC

Rouken Glen Park, Giffnock, thereeling.com

6–8 JUNE

WASTELANDS FESTIVAL MUSIC

Various venues, Glasgow, wastelandsfestival.co.uk

Wastelands is a brand-new music and arts festival across various venues in Glasgow featuring diverse music including trad, folk, jazz and electronica. Acts for 2025 include Corto.Alto, Mandidextrous, Junior Brother, Wand, Benny Page, Tom McGuire And The Brassholes, An Dannsa Dub, Doss, CLT DRP, Xiao and many more.

6–8 JUNE

WILDHOOD: A CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL FAMILY MULTI-ARTS

Tullibole Castle, Crook Of Devon, Perth & Kinross, wildhoodfestival.com

A multi-award-winning festival made for children aged 12 and under, and their fun-loving families, celebrating nature, games and traditional crafts, with live music, circus skills and more.

6–22 JUNE

ARCHITECTURE FRINGE ART

Various venues, Scotland, architecturefringe.com

Taking place across Scotland and online, Architecture Fringe explores architecture in its social, political and cultural contexts. The theme for 2025 is ‘Reciprocity: Architectures Of Exchange’.

7 JUNE HADDSTOCK MUSIC

Haddington Corn Exchange, Haddington, haddstock.co.uk

As part of a refreshed format for Haddstock as it teams up with The Brunton Theatre, Rachel Sermanni plays Haddington Corn WestFest, page 46

Visiting artists

Astro Bloc / Beth Malcolm / Blazin’ Fiddles

Breabach / Ciaran Ryan Band / Dàimh / Dàna

Donald & Peigi Barker / Dougie MacLean / Eddi Reader

Flook / HEISK / Jack Badcock / Laura Wilkie

LÉDA / Liv Dawn / Malin Lewis / Mec Lir

Rebecca Hill & Charlie Stewart / RURA / Ryan Young

Shooglenifty / Sian / St Roch's Big Band / Talisk

Tarran / The Paul McKenna Band / Valtos

A healthy dose of adventure

Exchange, supported by Wayward Jane, with the event opened by a group from East Lothian secondary schools’ Battle Of The Bands 2025. Further gigs take place in October.

7 & 8 JUNE

THE FESTIVAL OF BALLANTRAE

FOOD & DRINK

Various venues, Ballantrae, South Ayrshire, ballantrae.org.uk/foodfestival

Ballantrae Festival Of Food And Drink gets a new name for 2025, but their dedication to providing festival-goers with quality, well-sourced food remains the same. Expect tastings, pop-up restaurants, organic food stalls, demonstrations and more.

7 & 8 JUNE

MEADOWS FESTIVAL

COMMUNITY FAMILY MUSIC

The Meadows, Melville Drive, Edinburgh, meadowsfestival.co.uk

Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2025, the popular Meadows Festival features local bands and dance groups, market stalls, workshops, and lots of familyfriendly activities.

8 JUNE

BVAC CLASSIC: FESTIVAL OF MOTORING FAMILY SPORT

Thirlestane Castle, Lauder, Scottish Borders, bvac.org.uk/bvac-classic

The BVAC Classic: Festival Of Motoring is a fun family day out featuring more than 1000 classic, vintage and historic cars, live motorsport action, stunt displays, children’s rides, pipe band displays, a retail village, plus artisan food and drink.

11–15 JUNE

HIDDEN DOOR FESTIVAL

MULTI-ARTS

The Paper Factory, Edinburgh, hiddendoorarts.org

Hidden Door specialises in finding forgotten spaces and transforming them into a festival venue. In 2025, they’ll be occupying a former paper and cardboard manufacturing facility next to Edinburgh Gateway station, and filling it with new and emerging talent delivering live music, visual art, dance, film and spoken word.

12–15 JUNE

BORDERS BOOK FESTIVAL

LITERATURE

Harmony House, Melrose, bordersbookfestival.org

Four days of talks, readings, comedy, live music, food & drink, and much more in the beautiful grounds of Harmony House. Full line-up to be announced.

12–15 JUNE

THE EDEN FESTIVAL

COMEDY FAMILY MUSIC

Raehills Meadows, Moffat, edenfestival.co.uk

Festival over ten different music stages, plus a kids’ arena, circus tent, comedy, cabaret and workshops, as well as a feast of performers, artworks, games and much more.

12–15 JUNE

KIRKCUDBRIGHT JAZZ FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Various venues, Kirkcudbright, kirkcudbrightjazzfestival.co.uk

A lively celebration of New Orleans, Dixieland and swing jazz in a variety of venues, plus the annual ‘brolly parade’ through the town on Saturday morning.

13–15 JUNE

TMSA KEITH FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Keith, Moray, keithfestival.com

A weekend celebrating traditional music, song, poetry and dance with a roster of guest artists, musicians and singers taking part in a range of sessions, competitions, concerts and ceilidhs. Organised by the TMSA (Traditional Music & Song Association Of Scotland) Keith Branch.

13–22 JUNE

REFUGEE FESTIVAL SCOTLAND

COMMUNITY MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Scotland, refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk

This year sees a double celebration, as 2025 marks 25 years of Refugee Festival Scotland and the 40th anniversary of the Scottish Refugee Council. With the theme ‘Milestones’, this year’s festival will celebrate the cultural richness found in communities across Scotland through food and drink, music, poetry, art, dance, language and ideas.

13–23 JUNE

MORAY WALKING & OUTDOOR FESTIVAL

OUTDOOR

Various venues, Moray, moraywalkoutdoorfest.co.uk Scotland’s Midsummer Outdoor Festival is an ideal way to explore the Moray region. From the foothills of the Cairngorms to Moray’s award-winning coastline, you can enjoy long summer days discovering the area’s natural, historical and cultural landscape. Keep an eye on their website for full programme details which should be announced on 1 April.

14 JUNE

WOODZSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL

COMEDY FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Wildwoodz Adventure Park, near Munlochy, Highland, woodzstock.co.uk

The feelgood festival in a forest, with live music across two stages, bushcraft and circus skills, laser tag and live comedy, local beers and a friendly vibe. The 2025 lineup features Utah Saints, tribute band Oasus, Bombskare and Calum Jones.

14 & 15 JUNE DUKES WEEKENDER OUTDOOR SPORT

Various venues, Aberfoyle, dukesweekender.com

A long-distance challenge in the Trossachs, suitable for both gravel bikes and XC mountain bikes. Plus a shorter, 50-mile Demi-G.O.D. ride, and a range of come-and-try events and ride-outs.

14–22 JUNE LEITH FESTIVAL

FAMILY MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Leith, Edinburgh, leithfestival.com

The vibrant community of Leith shows off its abundant festival skills with a fun-packed programme of events including exhibitions, concerts, walks, talks and films, plus a special gala day on 14 June.

15–21 JUNE PEEBLES BELTANE FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE

Various venues, Peebles, peeblesbeltanefestival.co.uk

Local legend, history and tradition combine for this annual festival. Events across the week are topped off with a crowning

ceremony and grand procession to mark the beginning of summer.

18–22 JUNE

GLASGOW JAZZ FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Various venues, Glasgow, jazzfest.co.uk

A major event in the Scottish and British jazz calendar, Glasgow Jazz Festival has hosted some of the biggest names in jazz, blues, soul, funk, R&B and world music across the years, with concerts, a late-night jazz club, film screenings and talks.

19–21 JUNE

THE GLASGOW REAL ALE FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

The Briggait, Glasgow, g-raf.camra.org.uk

The tenth Glasgow Real Ale Festival will feature a selection of cask, KeyKeg and foreign beers, along with cider, gin, wines and mead.

19–22 JUNE

THE ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK

HERITAGE OUTDOOR

Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, royalhighlandshow.org Part agricultural show, part food festival, part family day out, with everything from motor, equine and craft programmes to food and drink, live music, cookery demonstrations and children’s activities. The 2025 show will feature the grand parade of prize-winning cattle, a chance to meet major food producers at Scotland’s Larder, a display from top-class riders in the showjumping arena and one of the UK’s biggest displays of agricultural machinery.

20–22 JUNE

KILLIN MUSIC FEST

FAMILY MUSIC

Various venues, Killin, killinmusicfest.com

A three-day festival of music featuring live bands and artists, as well as fringe events, bar sessions, kids’ activities and competitions throughout the Stirlingshire village.

20–22 JUNE

OBAN INTERNATIONAL SHANTY FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Oban, obanshanty.org.uk

A weekend of songs and music of the sea, plus workshops and storytelling. With paid shows and free events across the town.

20–22 JUNE

SOLAS FESTIVAL

MULTI-ARTS

Errol Park, Errol, solasfestival.co.uk

A midsummer music and arts festival in the heart of Perth & Kinross with performances and workshops in world music, theatre, dance, literature and visual arts, as well as talks and debates.

20–27 JUNE

ST MAGNUS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

COMMUNITY MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Orkney, stmagnusfestival.com

St Magnus International Festival brings a top line-up of events across music, theatre, arts, dance, literature, cabaret and folk music, alongside community projects, education and learning opportunities, to venues around Orkney such as St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall and Stromness Town Hall.

21 JUNE

EDINBURGH CANAL

FESTIVAL & RAFT RACE

FAMILY OUTDOOR

Union Canal, Edinburgh, edinburghcanalfestival.org.uk

Residents and visitors are invited to explore the Union Canal between Lochrin Basin and Harrison Park and meet organisations that operate yearround on and near the canal. Loads of free activities and entertainment, plus a new raft race, which is free to enter, with all equipment provided (just bring decorations, costumes and plenty of enthusiasm).

22 JUNE

GLASGOW MELA

COMMUNITY FAMILY MUSIC

Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, glasgowmela.com

A celebration of South Asian culture and heritage. Based on the traditions of the Indian subcontinent, the Mela has evolved to become an outdoor multicultural spectacular, bringing music, dance and arts from across the globe to Glasgow.

25–29 JUNE EAST NEUK FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Various venues, East Fife, eastneukfestival.com

Five days of top-quality artists playing jazz, classical and traditional music. The 2025 line-up includes Diyang Mei and Sergio Pires, Elias Quartet, The Pavel Haas Quartet, Castalian Quartet, Belcea Quartet, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, celebrated tenor Mark Padmore and baritone James Newby. From the world of jazz and folk, performers include Kathryn Tickell with her band

The Darkness, and rising star saxophonist Tom Smith with his talented septet.

26–29 JUNE

SUMMER NIGHTS ON THE SOUTHSIDE

MUSIC

Queen’s Park Recreation Ground, Glasgow, regularmusic.com

The 2025 line-up features Del Amitri, King Creosote, Withered Hand & Kathryn Williams, and Alice Faye (26 June); The Saw Doctors, Hothouse Flowers and Sharon Shannon (27 June); Echo & The Bunnymen, Lightning Seeds, Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band (28 June); Ocean Colour Scene, Glasvegas, PP Arnold and Ben Walker (29 June).

27–29 JUNE

GRANITE CITY FESTIVAL

FAMILY MUSIC

Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen, granitecityfest.co.uk

Three-day music event, kicking off Friday with Cultivate, a highoctane celebration of the global hard techno scene (featuring I Hate Models, Basswell, Cloudy and more); continuing Saturday with an all-day dance event with top DJs (Example, Darren Styles, Judge Jules, Lisa Lashes and others); and wrapping up Sunday with Happy Days Family Festival

featuring music performances, workshops and meet-and-greets (with Andy And The Oddsocks, Bluey, Maddie Moate, Family Rave and more).

27–29 JUNE

SCOTTISH TRADITIONAL BOAT FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK

HERITAGE MUSIC

Portsoy Harbour, Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, stbfportsoy.org

In 2025, the 32nd anniversary of this popular festival will see a flotilla of heritage boats from across the country dropping anchor in the historic harbour of Portsoy for a weekend of celebrations. A packed programme of entertainment includes music and dance, food and drink, and demonstrations of age-old crafts. The festival opens with the Big Gig on the Back Green on Friday evening.

28 & 29 JUNE

HEARTLAND FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Pitlochry Recreation Ground, Pitlochry, heartlandfestival.co.uk

After the huge success of its inaugural event in 2024, Heartland Festival returns to Pitlochry with two packed days of live music. The 2025 line-up includes Skerryvore, Daytime

Glasgow Zine Fest, page 58

TV, The Eves, Ben Walker, The Tumbling Souls, David Delinquent & The IOUs, Nathan Evans & The St Phnx Band, Bow Anderson, Torridon, Forgetting The Future, Roisin McCarney and Copper Lungs, plus more.

28 & 29 JUNE PRTY FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Braehead Arena, Glasgow, prtyevents.co.uk

The popular rave festival is back for its third year, having attracted over 10,000 people last year, with more than 45 artists geared up to perform in 2025.

JULY (DATES TBC)

ABOYNE & DEESIDE FESTIVAL

MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Deeside, aboyneanddeesidefestival.org.uk

An annual programme of cultural events including classical, folk, talks, film and theatre centred around Aboyne. Traditionally includes a visit from outdoor theatre specialists Illyria.

2 JULY–23 AUGUST UNDER CANVAS

HERITAGE MUSIC THEATRE & DANCE Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, eden-court.co.uk

Performed under a big top on the beautiful banks of the River Ness, folk and traditional music are at the heart of Under Canvas, but with other performances also on the bill.

3–7 JULY

KELBURN GARDEN PARTY

FAMILY MUSIC

Kelburn Castle, Fairlie, Largs, kelburngardenparty.com

Back for its 15th anniversary, Kelburn Garden Party is known

for its diverse and exciting programme across seven unique stages, with dance music, folk, funk, disco, dub, jungle, alt-pop experimental, jazz and blues, and global sounds.

4 & 5 JULY DOONFEST

COMMUNITY MUSIC

Dalrymple, Ayrshire, doonfest.org

A three-day music and community festival with concerts, workshops, food and drink. On the line-up for 2025 are Voyage: The Abba Tribute, The Bluebells, Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5, Bombskare, The Peas, Lussa and more.

4–6

JULY

GWCT SCOTTISH GAME FAIR

FAMILY OUTDOOR

Scone Palace, near Perth, scottishfair.com

Three days of country sports, competitions, main-ring events and entertainment at this familyfriendly fair. You’ll find falconry displays, gun dogs, pipe bands, cookery demonstrations, foraging, shooting and a range of traders and stalls.

4–6 JULY KINTYRE SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Town Hall, Campbeltown, kintyresongwritersfestival.co.uk

A music festival aimed at showcasing and promoting Kintyre’s home-grown musical talent, along with appearances by a selection of higher-profile guests.

4–6 JULY

NEWCASTLETON

TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Newcastleton, Scottish Borders, newcastleton.org.uk

A space for musicians, singers, poets and storytellers to get together and share their love of traditional culture, with an opening concert and ceilidh dance, followed by competitions, workshops and sessions, plus the ancient Copshaw Common Riding.

4–13 JULY CASTLE CONCERTS

MUSIC

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, regularmusic.com

Six concerts set against the magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. The 2025 lineup features Kaiser Chiefs (4 July), Marti Pellow (5 July), Ludovico Einaudi (10 & 11 July), Il Divo (12 July) and Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets In Concert with the RSNO (13 July).

5 JULY DOOF IN THE PARK MUSIC

Camperdown Country Park, Dundee, doofinthepark.com

Launched by Hannah Laing, this new festival will feature three stages of non-stop music, with a mix of classic names from the hard house and trance scenes, alongside emerging talents.

5 JULY EAGLESHAM BEER FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Eaglesham Playing Fields, Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire, eagleshambeerfest.uk

Now in its ninth year, this community beer festival celebrates the best of local and national food and drink, plus live music.

5 JULY

SMA’ SHOT DAY

FAMILY HERITAGE

Various venues, Paisley, paisley. is/featured_event/sma-shot-day

Sma’ Shot Day is a well-loved event in the Paisley calendar, celebrating the historic victory of the weavers over their employers in the 19th century. It has developed into an annual celebration of arts and culture, with a parade featuring community groups, performers and musicians.

5 & 6 JULY

GLASGOW ZINE FEST

ART LITERATURE

Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowzinelibrary.com/glasgowzine-fest

An annual celebration of zine culture, featuring events about art, community and heritage, Glasgow Zine Fest takes place in Tramway and The Hidden Gardens, as well as a several other Southside locations.

5

& 6 JULY

LOCH LOMOND SHORES: SUMMERFEST

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, lochlomondfoodanddrinkfestival. co.uk

A weekend of family fun featuring street food, live music performances, shopping, stalls and funfair rides, SummerFest bursts into life at Loch Lomond Shores with something for everyone.

5 & 6 JULY

TARBERT SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK

Various venues, Tarbert, Argyll & Bute, tarbertfestivals.co.uk

Tarbert Seafood Festival is a two-day celebration of the fish and shellfish from the waters of Loch Fyne, with cookery demonstrations, workshops, the crowning of the Seafood Festival Queen, a festival parade through the village and more.

6–11

JULY

CANTILENA FESTIVAL ON ISLAY MUSIC

Various venues, Isle Of Islay, cantilenafestival.co.uk

Every July, the island of Islay is home to Cantilena’s professional musicians and students of the Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland, bringing a programme of chamber music to residents and visitors, with many of the concerts held in the famous whisky distilleries.

6–12

JULY

SKIFFIEWORLDS SPORT

Loch Ryan, Stranraer, stranraerwatersports.com

On the waters of Loch Ryan, this multi-day regatta is the world championships for the St Ayles class of community-built, seagoing rowing skiffs. It attracts up to a thousand competitors from all over the world, with plenty of shoreside stalls and activities too.

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, page 62

PHOTO: PAUL CAMPBELL

7–13 JULY

UNSTFEST

FAMILY MUSIC SPORT

Various venues, Unst, Shetland, unstfest.org

Britain’s most northerly festival featuring family-friendly workshops, races, live music and a procession. The 2025 programme also includes three action-packed shows from British Premier Wrestling (including a chance to meet the wrestlers).

10–13 JULY

STONEHAVEN FOLK FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Stonehaven Town Hall, Stonehaven, stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk

Now in its 35th year, this popular festival features some of the best traditional and contemporary folk music, concerts, ceilidh, sessions, sing-arounds and workshops, plus the famous aqua ceilidh and world paper’n’comb championships.

11–13 JULY

NEWTON STEWART & MINNIGAFF TRADITIONAL MUSIC & DANCE FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC THEATRE & DANCE

Various venues, Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway, tradmusic.com

The festival celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2025, with the very best in traditional Scottish, Irish and world music.

11–13 JULY

TIREE MUSIC FESTIVAL

FAMILY MUSIC

Crossapol Bay, Isle Of Tiree, tireemusicfestival.co.uk

Overlooking the white sands of Crossapol Bay, Tiree Music Festival takes place in one of the

most remote festival locations in the world and features a range of music styles over three stages.

11–13 JULY

TRNSMT FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Glasgow Green, Glasgow, trnsmtfest.com

This three-day festival with four stages continues to grow in popularity. The 2025 line-up includes 50 Cent, The Script, Biffy Clyro, Fontaines DC, Snow Patrol, Gracie Abrams, Wet Leg, Jake Bugg, Sigrid and Shed Seven.

11–16 JULY

SINGLE PARENT FESTIVAL

FAMILY

Douglaswood, Kirkbuddo, Angus, singleparentcampingholidays.com

A chance for single parents and their kids to join together for a week-long festival in the beautiful Scottish countrysid, packed full of activities and entertainment for kids (of all ages) and adults.

11–20 JULY

EDINBURGH JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghjazzfestival.com

Scotland’s largest jazz festival presents a wide range of concerts, in parks, clubs, concert halls and churches. With a programme featuring all genre styles from early jazz to the avant-garde, with homegrown talent and international stars.

12 JULY

SCOTLAND VEGAN FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley, veganeventsuk.co.uk/scotlandvegan-festival

Over 80 stalls selling vegan food and drink, clothing, toiletries and more. Plus talks, workshops and demonstrations. Free goody bag with admission.

12–18 JULY

ORKNEY 2025

INTERNATIONAL ISLAND GAMES SPORT

Various venues, Orkney, orkney2025.com

Orkney plays host to this weeklong event which sees athletes from up to 24 island groups from across the world compete in 12 sports: archery, athletics, badminton, bowls, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, sailing, squash, swimming and triathlon. Entry to all events is free.

12–20 JULY

LARGO ARTS WEEK

ART COMMUNITY

Various venues, Largo, largoartsweek.com

Now in its sixth year, Largo Arts Week will showcase the work of 52 Artists, across 33 studios in the Fife village. Plus live music, painting competitions, storytelling, talks, comedy, family activities, quiz nights and more.

16–19 JULY

HEBCELT

MUSIC

Lews Castle, Isle Of Lewis, hebceltfest.com

HebCelt is passionate about Gaelic and traditional music, bringing together the best local talent with leading Scottish, UK and international artists on the spectacular Isle Of Lewis. The line-up for 2025 includes Lauren Collier, Ruairidh Gray, Trail West, The Tumbling Souls, Samba

Sene & Diwan, Malin Lewis Trio, Nati, Madison Violet, Lusa, Tide Lines, Eddi Reader, Josie Duncan, Elias Alexander, El Sartel, Cala, Beluga Lagoon, Donnie ‘Dòtaman’ MacLeod and many more.

18–20 JULY DUNEDIN

INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL

MUSIC HERITAGE THEATRE & DANCE

Various venues, Stirling, dunedindancers.org.uk

International dance festival with performances (many free) of Scottish country, Highland and hard-shoe step dancing from Dunedin Dancers and New Scotland Dance Society, plus guest groups Les Perriots de la Vallee from France and Hungary’s Csata Táncegyüttes Isaszeg.

18–20 JULY

MERCHANT CITY FESTIVAL

MULTI-ARTS

Merchant City, Glasgow, merchantcityfestival.com

This diverse arts festival features comedy, theatre and visual art in some of Glasgow’s most fashionable buildings, with street performers adding to the festival atmosphere.

18–20 JULY RUN THE BLADES OUTDOOR SPORT

Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre, near Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire, breakingstrain. co.uk/run-the-blades

Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2025, Run The Blades incorporates three distances: 10K, half marathon and 50K ultramarathon, plus a junior race, all within the UK’s largest onshore wind farm.

18–20 JULY

SURGE FESTIVAL

FAMILY MULTI-ARTS

Merchant City, Glasgow, surge.scot

For its 16th edition, Surge Festival once again transforms the streets of the Merchant City in Glasgow, presenting a wild variety of outdoor acts to ignite your senses and fuel your imagination.

18–27 JULY

EDINBURGH FOOD FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Assembly George Square, Edinburgh, edfoodfest.com

A celebration of Scottish food with meet-the-producer events and chef demos, as well as tempting street food stalls.

18–27 JULY

MUSIC AT PAXTON MUSIC

Paxton House & Country Park, Paxton, Scottish Borders, musicatpaxton.co.uk

Top-quality international chamber music in the beautiful surroundings of Paxton House. With performances from morning until dusk including classical chamber music, choral music, folk music and more.

19–22 JULY

THE TALL SHIPS RACES ABERDEEN

HERITAGE OUTDOOR

Aberdeen Harbour, Aberdeen, tallshipsaberdeen.com Europe’s largest free family event, and in 2025 over 40 ships will sail from Le Havre in France to Esbjerg in Denmark, spending four days in Aberdeen en route, where visitors can view the ships and enjoy a programme of cultural events.

19–27 JULY

MUSSELBURGH FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE

Various venues, Musselburgh, musselburghfestival.org

Annual festival celebrating the history and traditions of the town, including family cycles, races and the famous Common Riding.

20 JULY

SCOTTISH FESTIVAL OF MOTORING

FAMILY

Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, festivalofmotoring.co.uk

Featuring an indoor showcase arena with a variety of cars, trucks and motorcycles on display, plus live stunt shows, music, exhibitions, a trade village, passenger experiences, junior driving, kids’ zone and more.

25 & 26 JULY

EILEAN DORCHA FESTIVAL

FAMILY MUSIC

Liniclate Machair, Isle Of Benbecula, edffestival.com

A family-friendly festival in the Outer Hebrides showcasing a wide range of music, with a DJ on Friday night and a ceilidh on Saturday night. The 2025 line-up includes Skipinnish and Tumbling Paddies.

25–27 JULY

BUTEFEST

FAMILY MUSIC

Ettrick Bay, Rothesay, Isle Of Bute, butefest.co.uk

Non-stop weekend of live music, family fun, food and drink at Ettrick Bay. The theme for 2025 is ‘Wild West’, with performances by Shambolics, Ace & All The Other Animals, Root System, Graham Robertson, Howdo Bean & The Dinos and more.

25–27 JULY SPEYFEST

FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

Playing Fields, Fochabers, Moray, speyfest.com

Three days of traditional and contemporary Celtic music, with concerts, ceilidhs, stomps, fairs and workshops, plus a craft fair, and food and drink. The line-up for 2025 includes Skipinnish, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Trail West, Flook, Mànran, The East Pointers, Siobhan Miller, Session A9, Tour Bus Fortune, and many more.

26 JULY FALKIRK FEST MUSIC

Callendar Park, Falkirk, falkirkfest.co.uk

Music festival celebrating the UK’s best tribute acts.

26 & 27 JULY THE GARDEN PARTY

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, skiddle.com/festivals/ the-garden-party

With live music, DJs, wellbeing activities, crafts, storytelling, a fairy trail, street food, and more, this new family-friendly festival is all about creativity, inspiration and adventure.

29 JULY–16 AUGUST

SUMMER NIGHTS AT THE BANDSTAND MUSIC

Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, regularmusic.com

Summer sees the return of outdoor gigs at the historic bandstand in Kelvingrove Park, from the likes of Public Image Ltd, Teenage Fanclub, Public Service Broadcasting, Elbow and The Sisters Of Mercy.

31 JULY–2 AUGUST

BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK MUSIC Belladrum Estate, Kiltarlity, near Inverness, tartanheartfestival.com This family-friendly festival returns with music, theatre and fun. The line-up includes Texas,

Supergrass, Paul Heaton, Natasha Bedingfield, Example, Karine Polwart, Gok Wan, Peter Capaldi, Pigeon Detectives, Beluga Lagoon, Tide Lines and many more.

ALSO HAPPENING

IN JULY . . .

• BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

SPORT Knockhill Racing Circuit, 4–6 July

• GENESIS SCOTTISH

OPEN GOLF SPORT

North Berwick, 9–13 July

• BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS

MOUNTAIN BIKING

SPORT Fort William, 19 & 20 July

• ISPS HANDA GOLF WOMEN’S SCOTTISH OPEN GOLF SPORT Irvine, 24–27 July

AUGUST (DATES TBC) BURL IN THE BURGH MUSIC

Linlithgow Palace & Peel Grounds, Linlithgow, burlintheburgh.com

A unique boutique music, spoken word and wellbeing festival in the heart of Linlithgow.

1 & 2 AUGUST PERTH SHOW

FAMILY HERITAGE OUTDOOR

South Inch, Perth, perthshow.co.uk

A two-day agricultural event, showcasing the best-in-class of livestock, horses and ponies, food and drink, and local arts and crafts, from the Perthshire area and beyond.

HebCelt, page 59

© David Vintiner / Guardian / eyevine

1–3 AUGUST

BACK DOUNE THE RABBIT HOLE

MUSIC

Cardross Estate, Port Of Menteith, backdounetherabbithole.co.uk

A new music and arts festival (taking over from Doune The Rabbit Hole and under new ownership), bringing fresh energy while staying true to the festival’s roots of music, community, and culture. The 2025 line-up includes Scouting For Girls, The Feeling, Dodgy, Newton Faulkner, Elvana, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, Ferocious Dog, The Blockheads, Skids, King King, Bay City Rollers, The Rezillos, Skinny Lister, Bar Stool Preachers, Martin Stephenson & The Daintees and many more.

1–3 AUGUST BUTE NOIR

LITERATURE

Glenburn Hotel, Rothesay, Isle Of Bute, butenoir.co.uk

Three days of collaboration and crime insights with famous writers from Scotland and abroad. The 2025 line-up should be announced in June.

1–3 AUGUST FOODIES FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, foodiesfestival.com

Watch MasterChef champions, Michelin-starred and top local chefs cooking their signature summer recipes, learn how to make showstopping cakes with expert bakers, sample new wines, champagnes and cocktails, eat delicious street food from around the world, take part in chilli-eating competitions and food challenges, and enjoy some great live music. Plus fun for kids.

1–10 AUGUST

FRINGE BY THE SEA

FAMILY MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, North Berwick, fringebythesea.com

A ten-day multi-arts festival set in the beautiful seaside town of North Berwick, with its main base at the leafy Lodge Grounds.

1–23 AUGUST

THE ROYAL

EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO

HERITAGE MUSIC

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, edintattoo.co.uk

This unique event draws crowds and performers from all over the world, with massed pipes and drums, military bands, display teams and dancers. The 2025 event will mark 75 years of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, with the theme ‘The Heroes Who Made Us’.

1–24 AUGUST

EDINBURGH

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Edinburgh, eif.co.uk

Setting the standard for classical concerts, opera, contemporary music, dance and theatre, the festival’s theme for 2025 is ‘The Truth We Seek’, with productions including Mary, Queen of Scots by Scottish Ballet, Opera Australia’s Orpheus & Eurydice, and New York’s National Youth Orchestra 2.

1–25 AUGUST

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

FRINGE

FAMILY MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Edinburgh, edfringe.com

Thousands of performers from around the world fill venues across

the city with theatre, comedy, circus, cabaret, dance, music, family shows, spoken word and more. From big names to emerging artists, this is the largest fringe festival in the world.

2 AUGUST FUN FOR LIFE FEST FAMILY

Tollcross Park, Glasgow, funforlifefest.com

A new family-friendly festival for Glasgow, featuring performances, sports, storytelling, games, light show and more.

2 & 3 AUGUST COLOURSFEST MUSIC

Braehead Arena, Glasgow, skiddle.com/festivals/coloursfest

The long-running hard dance and trance festival soundtracked by international genre-defining acts and DJs, alongside the scene’s most promising talent. The 2025 line-up includes Showtek, Darren Styles, Rebelion, Partyraiser, Dimitri K and many more.

2 & 3 AUGUST PARTY AT THE PALACE FAMILY MUSIC

Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow, partyatthepalace.co.uk

A mix of well-known musical acts and top-quality local performers combine at this family-friendly music festival set across the loch from Linlithgow’s beautiful palace.

2 & 3 AUGUST TRUCKFEST SCOTLAND

FAMILY

Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, truckfest.co.uk/truckfest-scotland

With monster trucks, arena stunt shows, exhilarating rides,

ESCAPE TO THE SEASIDE

Leave the city behind and discover North Berwick’s vibrant 10-day festival, featuring music, comedy, authors, family events, and more.

Just a hop from the beach, enjoy the freshest of fringes, only 35 minutes by train from Edinburgh.

children’s characters and a chance to meet celebrities, Truckfest Scotland has something for all ages.

2–9 AUGUST PITTENWEEM ARTS FESTIVAL

ART COMMUNITY FAMILY

Various venues, Pittenweem, pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk

A celebration of visual arts, taking place in galleries, homes, studios and venues throughout the village of Pittenweem in Fife’s charming East Neuk, offering a unique opportunity to connect with over 140 talented artists in a more personal and intimate setting.

3 AUGUST ROXBURGHE ROCKS

MUSIC

Floors Castle, Kelso, floorscastle. com/events/roxburghe-rocks-2

The dramatic backdrop of Floors Castle plays host to three worldclass tribute acts, supported by local band The Balancing Ducks. Experience iconic glam rock anthems with The Bowie Experience, upbeat soul and disco classics with Capitol Motown & Soul Band, and sing-a-long disco hits with 21st Century Abba.

3 & 4 AUGUST FOXFEST

FAMILY MUSIC

Conifox Adventure Park, Kirkliston, conifox.co.uk

The popular family festival returns with a mix of kiddie entertainment, acrobats, circus performers, comedy and tribute acts. The 2025 FoxFest line-up includes Britain’s Got Talent’s ventriloquist Steve Hewlett, magician Magic Gareth, The Giant Balloon Show, Tricky Ricky and Paris Bubbles.

7–24 AUGUST

EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL

FAMILY ART

Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghartfestival.com

Scotland’s largest annual celebration of visual art, showcasing work by the best contemporary Scottish artists as well as exhibitions of important international artists, plus talks, performances and parties. Major presentations for 2025 include Linder at Inverleith House, Aubrey Levinthal at Ingleby, Jonathan Baldock and Guy Oliver at Jupiter Artland, Wael Shawky at Talbot Rice Gallery, Mike Nelson at Fruitmarket, and Andy Goldsworthy at National Galleries Scotland.

8–10 AUGUST

FOODIES FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Rouken Glen Park, Giffnock, foodiesfestival.com

Watch MasterChef Champions, Michelin-starred and top local chefs cooking their signature summer recipes, learn to make showstopping cakes with expert bakers, sample new wines, champagnes and cocktails, eat delicious street food from around the world, take part in chilli eating competitions and food challenges, and enjoy some great live music. Plus fun for children.

8–10 AUGUST

FRESH AYR FOLK FEST

MUSIC

Ayr Town Hall, Ayr, freshayrfolkfest.com

A three-day music festival showcasing folk, world and roots music from Scotland and beyond, plus family-friendly activities, food and drink.

9 AUGUST

ABERDEEN SAUSAGE AND CIDER FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen, sausageandciderfest.co.uk/ aberdeen

With live music (including 2025 headliners Scouting for Girls), a children’s stage, eating competition, festival market, silent disco, axe throwing, plus the main attraction: 30 ciders and 20 different sausage flavours from around the world.

9 & 10 AUGUST GALLOWAY COUNTRY FAIR

FAMILY OUTDOOR

Drumlanrig Castle & Country Estate, Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway, gallowaycountryfair.co.uk

A fun-filled weekend of country sports, family activities, main-ring entertainment, plus local crafts and foods.

9–17 AUGUST BALLATER VICTORIA WEEK

COMMUNITY FAMILY HERITAGE

Various venues, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, ballatervictoriaweek.co.uk

Started in 1987 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s accession, this busy week features a wide variety of events and activities for the entire family in the pretty Royal Deeside village of Ballater.

9–24 AUGUST EDINBURGH

INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

FAMILY LITERATURE

Edinburgh Futures Institute, Edinburgh, edbookfest.co.uk

Castle Concerts, page 57

The world’s largest public celebration of the written word, featuring guest appearances by leading Scottish and international authors, politicians, historians, journalists and children’s writers.

11–17 AUGUST

PIPING LIVE! GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL PIPING FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Glasgow, pipinglive.co.uk

A week-long celebration of piping at venues across Glasgow, including contemporary and traditional, solo and pipe bands, culminating in the World Pipe Band Championships.

14–20 AUGUST

EDINBURGH

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Various venues, Edinburgh, edfilmfest.org.uk

After a successful relaunch last year, 2025 brings an exciting programme of films and events, giving audiences the chance to encounter new work.

15 & 16 AUGUST

WORLD PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

Glasgow Green, Glasgow, theworlds.co.uk

The best pipe bands from all over the world, featuring 8000 pipers and drummers, compete for the most prestigious prizes and the coveted World Champion crown.

15–24 AUGUST

ST JAMES QUARTER

SUMMER SESSIONS MUSIC

St James Quarter, Edinburgh, stjamesquarter.com

Free music festival running at the same time as the Edinburgh Festival, with a diverse range of emerging acts and established talent playing in the Galleria and elsewhere in the quarter.

16 & 17 AUGUST FILM & COMIC CON GLASGOW

FILM & TV LITERATURE

Braehead Arena, Glasgow, filmandcomicconglasgow.com

A fun weekend where you can browse trader stalls and meet the stars behind film & TV characters. Guests for 2025 include Ian Whyte, Camille Coduri, Garrick Hagon, Clare Higgins, Wolf Kahler and Carolyn Seymour.

17–24 AUGUST RATTRAY ARTS FESTIVAL

ART COMMUNITY FAMILY

Blairgowrie Town Hall, Blairgowrie, rattrayartsfestival.co.uk

Hundreds of original paintings for sale, plus three-dimensional designs by local sculptors, woodturners, jewellers, silversmiths, stained-glass artists, potters and weavers. Visitors can buy, order and commission new work, with all proceeds donated to charity.

20–24 AUGUST

MULL OF KINTYRE MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Campbeltown, mokfest.com

A celebration of music and culture set against the beautiful backdrop of Kintyre. The festival showcases a diverse range of genres, from traditional Scottish and Irish folk music to contemporary rock and pop acts.

22–24 AUGUST GALLOWAY MOTORCYCLE CLUB OFF-ROAD FESTIVAL

FAMILY OUTDOOR SPORT

Drumlanrig Castle & Country Estate, Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway, gallowaymcc.com

A weekend of grass-track racing, classic and twin-shock motocross, motorcycle trials and much more. An event for all the family with food outlets, beer tent and live music.

22–24 AUGUST STRATHAVEN BALLOON FESTIVAL

FAMILY OUTDOOR

Strathaven Park, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, strathavenballoonfestival.co.uk

Scotland’s only hot-air balloon festival celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025 (after a lastminute cancellation in 2024), combining the stunning sight of

hot-air balloons launching and flying with a funfair, stalls, classic vehicles and evening events.

28–31 AUGUST ISLAY BOOK FESTIVAL

FAMILY LITERATURE

Various venues, Isle Of Islay, islaybookfestival.co.uk

Set against the stunning backdrop of Scotland’s whisky isle, Islay Book Festival is a lively, community-led festival with an array of events across the island.

29 & 30 AUGUST

GIN & RUM FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

The Briggait, Glasgow, ginandrumfestival.com

Head to the Briggait in Glasgow to discover new favourites, with samples from over 120 of the best gins and rums on the market, plus themed bars, music from award-winning DJs and live entertainment.

30 & 31 AUGUST EDGE FEST

MUSIC

Lilliardsedge Holiday Park, Jedburgh, edge-fest.co.uk

This music festival in the Scottish Borders attracts thousands of festival-goers each year, with international stars, a food market and camping village.

30 & 31 AUGUST

THE SCOTTISH YARN FESTIVAL

ART HERITAGE

Perth Concert Hall, Perth, thescottishyarnfestival.com

Celebrating its tenth anniversary year in 2025, this is Scotland’s largest and longest continuously running contemporary yarn and fibre festival.

30 AUGUST–7 SEPTEMBER

LARGS VIKING FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK HERITAGE

Various venues, Largs, largsvikingfestival.co.uk

A week-long celebration of Viking heritage, including an opening parade and ceremony, live entertainment, fringe events, food and craft market, Viking village, Festival Of Fire, Viking skirmish, burning of the long boat and a firework display.

30 AUGUST–7 SEPTEMBER

NAIRN BOOK & ARTS FESTIVAL

LITERATURE MULTI-ARTS

Nairn Community & Arts Centre, Nairn, Highland, nairnfestival.co.uk

Now in its 22nd year, Nairn Book & Arts Festival is an annual celebration of literature, art, music, drama and film.

31 AUGUST

ABERDEEN MELA: ONE WORLD DAY

COMMUNITY FAMILY MUSIC

Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen, melaaberdeen.org.uk

A colourful and vibrant celebration of cultural diversity across northeast Scotland and beyond, with world music, dance, children’s activities and food stalls.

31 AUGUST

EDINBURGH PSYCH FEST MUSIC

Various venues, Edinburgh, edinburghpsychfest.com

In 2025, the psychedelic and psychedelic-influenced festival’s third instalment will feature chaotic post-punk outfit Deadletter, vaporwave psych-pop artist George Clanton, South London math-post-punk trio Honeyglaze, the experimental post-punk

sounds of Do Nothing, and San Diego’s psych-rockers Crocodiles, plus many more.

31 AUGUST–4 SEPTEMBER MENDELSSOHN ON MULL MUSIC

Various venues, Isle Of Mull, soundwavesscio.org.uk

A classical music festival during which young musicians are mentored by professionals in the craft of chamber music-making, followed by concerts played in venues across the island.

ALSO HAPPENING IN AUGUST . . .

• SCONE PALACE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS SPORT

Scone Palace, near Perth, 21–24 August

SEPTEMBER (DATES TBC) SCOTTISH GEOLOGY FESTIVAL

OUTDOOR SCIENCE

Various venues, Scotland, scottishgeologytrust.org

Join the Scottish Geology Trust for a programme of activities across Scotland and online, exploring our incredible geological story, including guided walks, geologyinspired art exhibitions, online talks and more.

2–7 SEPTEMBER OUTWITH FEST MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Dunfermline, outwithfestival.co.uk

Five days of live music from established and emerging acts, movies, comedy, art and disco as well as design and interiors events and creative arts workshops.

4–7 SEPTEMBER

ORKNEY ROCK FESTIVAL MUSIC

Various venues, Kirkwall, Orkney, facebook.com/orkneyrockfestival

The tenth Orkney Rock Festival, featuring local and visiting talent playing largely original material in venues across Kirkwall.

4–10 SEPTEMBER

ORKNEY INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL

FAMILY SCIENCE

Various venues, Orkney, oisf.org

Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025, Orkney International Science Festival offers a mix of new ideas and lively activities, with talks and outings, food and music, in an island setting where past and future meet.

4–15 SEPTEMBER

LAMMERMUIR FESTIVAL MUSIC

Various venues, East Lothian, lammermuirfestival.co.uk

The Lammermuir Festival brings the finest classical music to East Lothian each September. Promising ‘beautiful music in beautiful places’, historic churches in particular are used as atmospheric venues, including St Mary’s in Haddington.

5 & 6 SEPTEMBER

TUNES BY THE DUNES

MUSIC

Ham Park, Dunnet, Highland, ncentertainments.co.uk

Just a stone’s throw from the beautiful sandy beach at Dunnet Bay in Caithness, the UK’s most northerly mainland music festival returns for another two-day celebration of the best in Scottish music, with Skipinnish confirmed as one of 2025’s headline acts.

5–7 SEPTEMBER KELSO FOLK FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Kelso Old Parish Church, Kelso, kelsofolkfest.org

A weekend of traditional music concerts, sessions, workshops and open mics, run by Kelso Folk And Live Music Club. The 2025 line-up features Kris Drever, The Freya Rae Project, Jon Doran And Northern Assembly, The Haar, Skelpt and Australian duo We Mavericks.

5–7 SEPTEMBER KIRRIEMUIR TMSA FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & SONG

HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Kirriemuir, facebook.com/kirriemuirfestival

One of Scotland’s longestrunning traditional music festivals comprises a weekend of ceilidhs, concerts and competitions, with a lively session scene featuring many tradition bearers and young talent performing around the Angus hometown of JM Barrie.

5–7 SEPTEMBER TABLETOP SCOTLAND FAMILY

Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, tabletopscotland.co.uk

A three-day convention showcasing a wide array of games, from strategy board and card games to family games, roleplaying games and more.

5–12 SEPTEMBER MCLELLAN ARTS FESTIVAL LITERATURE

Various venues, Isle Of Arran, arrantheatreandarts.co.uk/ mclellan-festival

A celebration honouring the late playwright Robert McLellan,

PHOTO: NEIL HANNA

with writing workshops, live performances, poetry presentations and more.

6 SEPTEMBER THE SCOTTISH RUM FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK SWG3, Glasgow, scottishrumfest.com

An opportunity to explore the very best of Scotland’s rich rum heritage, with a wide selection of premier rum brands from all over the country, plus tastings and masterclasses from distilleries and independent bottlers.

6 & 7 SEPTEMBER LOCH LOMOND FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL FAMILY FOOD & DRINK

Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, lochlomondshores.com

One of Scotland’s biggest food and drink festivals, with cooking demonstrations by top Scottish chefs plus workshops where you can get creative. You’ll also find lots of Scottish and UK producers selling amazing produce.

6–15 SEPTEMBER AN TALLA SOLAIS ART WEEK ART

Various venues, Ullapool, Highland, antallasolais.org

A week of workshops, exhibitions, talks, films and an artist studio trail around Ullapool and beyond.

12 & 13 SEPTEMBER BLACK ISLE CALLING MUSIC

Black Isle Brewery, near Munlochy, Highland, elephantsessions.com/blackisle-calling

Two-day music festival run by Ironworks Venue, Elephant Sessions and Black Isle Brewery, featuring an eclectic mix of artists and DJs, plus great food and drink.

12–14 SEPTEMBER BLOODY SCOTLAND

LITERATURE

Various venues, Stirling, bloodyscotland.com

A celebration of crime writing, bringing together leading Scottish and international authors, showcasing debut voices.

12–14 SEPTEMBER CORE MUSIC

Various venues, Glasgow, corethefestival.com

Described as ‘a celebration of noise’, this hardcore music festival returns with gigs in venues across Glasgow.

12–14 SEPTEMBER LOCHABER LIVE FAMILY MUSIC

An Aird Shinty Field, Fort William, lochaberlive.com

Taking place at the foot of Ben Nevis, this three-day music festival features ticketed events on the Friday and Saturday nights, followed by a free family day on Sunday. With a range of folk, indie-rock and Celtic bands.

12–14 SEPTEMBER MONTROSE LANDXSEA FILM FEST

FILM & TV

Montrose Playhouse, Montrose, landxsea.org

Scotland’s first environmental film festival features groundbreaking

Wigtown Book Festival, page 76

climate-focused films, guest speakers and thought-provoking discussions.

12–14 SEPTEMBER

STRANRAER OYSTER FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK

Various venues, Stranraer, stranraeroysterfestival.com

A celebration of Scotland’s last remaining wild and native oyster bed, with celebrity chef demos, live music, the Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships, food and drink, family fun, watersports and a huge oyster bar.

12–15 SEPTEMBER VOGRIE POGRIE

FAMILY MULTI-ARTS

Vogrie Country Park, near Gorebridge, vogriepogrie.com

Returning for its fifth year, Vogrie Pogrie brings together over 150 artists to Midlothian for a weekend of performances and activities. Experience open-air theatre, live music, jam sessions, circus acts, comedy, cabaret, storytelling, dance, contemporary clowning, immersive workshops, land art, face painting, crafts and more.

13 SEPTEMBER SEAFEST

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK

Peterhead Harbour, Peterhead, seafest.co.uk

A celebration of north-east seafood, with live demos, cooking, shelling, filleting and tasting. Explore the seafood village, while the kids hunt for treasure and get up close to real working trawlers.

13 & 14 SEPTEMBER FIFE FEST

MUSIC

Silverburn Park, near Leven,

facebook.com/fifefestsilverburn

A great weekend of music and entertainment from some of the top tribute bands in the UK, along with some of Fife’s own local talent.

13 & 14 SEPTEMBER

FLY OPEN AIR FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, flyflyfly.co.uk/open-air

One of Scotland’s biggest electronic festivals, held under the iconic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and showcasing some of the world’s best musicians and DJs.

13–21 SEPTEMBER

NEOS: NORTH EAST OPEN STUDIOS

ART COMMUNITY

Various venues, north-east Scotland, northeastopenstudios.co.uk

Gain insight into the creative process and see brand new artworks in a series of studio open days across the north-east of Scotland, with hundreds of artists participating.

18–21 SEPTEMBER

CEÒL CHOLASA

MUSIC

Colonsay Village Hall, Scalasaig, Isle Of Colonsay, ceolcholasa.co.uk

A four-day feast of top-quality traditional music at this intimate festival on the beautiful Inner Hebridean island of Colonsay.

18–21 SEPTEMBER

GLASGOW

CATHEDRAL FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MULTI-ARTS

Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow, gcfestival.com

A four-day programme of music, tours, exhibitions, dance and film,

bringing the city’s oldest building to life and finding fresh perspectives on Glasgow’s cultural heritage.

19–21 SEPTEMBER

EDINBURGH ART FAIR

ART

O2 Academy Edinburgh, artedinburgh.com

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, showcasing the work of artists, sculptors, designers, makers and creators, from established household names to recent graduates, mid-career and self-taught artists.

19–21 SEPTEMBER FREAKENDER FESTIVAL MUSIC

The Old Hairdresser’s, Glasgow, linktr.ee/freakenderglasgow Freakender is a garage/psych/pop festival with more than 20 lives acts performing over the three days in Glasgow.

19–21 SEPTEMBER

SEA CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Various venues, Isle Of Tiree, screenargyll.co.uk/sea-changethe-festival

This film festival celebrates women in film, and features screenings, short films, guest speakers, workshops, live music and family events.

19–21 SEPTEMBER

TARBERT MUSIC FESTIVAL MUSIC

Various venues, Tarbert, Argyll & Bute, tarbertfestivals.co.uk

Tarbert Music Festival is one of the longest-running music festivals in Argyll. This laid-back event features local bands and impromptu sessions.

19–21 SEPTEMBER THRIVE BIKE

FAMILY OUTDOOR SPORT

Various venues, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, thriveballater.com

Featuring a range of activities, including new bike demos and guided rides, bike accessory brands selling their wares, plus lots of family-friendly activities and local food and drink.

19–22 SEPTEMBER ISLAY JAZZ FESTIVAL MUSIC

Various venues, Isle Of Islay, jazzscotland.com

Dozens of high-quality music events in venues including whisky distilleries, bird sanctuaries and village halls.

22 SEPTEMBER–5 OCTOBER ABERDEEN COMEDY FESTIVAL

COMEDY

Various venues, Aberdeen, aberdeenperformingarts.com/ aberdeen-comedy-festival

A packed line-up of performers filling venues across Aberdeen with the sound of laughter. The festival includes Strictly winner Chris McCausland, Sue Perkins, Adam Kay, Stewart Lee, Mark Watson and many more.

26 & 27 SEPTEMBER EDINBURGH WOMEN’S FICTION FESTIVAL LITERATURE

Various venues, Edinburgh, edwomensficfest.co.uk

This literary festival celebrates writing for, by and about women. It’s an inclusive event that welcomes everyone who finds joy in reading women’s stories; commercial, romance, historical, literary, book club and beyond.

26 & 27 SEPTEMBER

GRAVITY BEER FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Summerhall, Edinburgh, gravitybeerfestival.co.uk

Created by the team behind Barney’s Beer, Gravity Beer Festival is the only ‘all-inclusive’ craft beer festival in Edinburgh. Located at Summerhall, you’ll find breweries from around the UK and all your beers are included in the ticket price.

26–28 SEPTEMBER

DUNBAR MUSIC FESTIVAL

FAMILY MUSIC

Various venues, Dunbar, dunbarmusicfestival.co.uk

This East Lothian festival returns with big-name headliners, free gigs all over town, family-friendly events, open-invite sessions and buskers on the High Street.

26–28 SEPTEMBER

GLASGOW YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL

FAMILY FILM & TV

Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow, glasgowfilm.org/glasgow-filmlearning-youth-opportunities/gyff Innovative festival for young audiences featuring premieres, screenings, events and special guest speakers. GYFF enables 15–19 year olds to co-create a vibrant and diverse festival.

26–28 SEPTEMBER ISLE OF JURA MUSIC FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Craighouse Village Hall, Isle Of Jura, juramusicfestival.com

This traditional music festival brings together established acts and local talent through concerts, workshops, ceilidhs and sessions on the island of Jura.

26 SEPTEMBER–5 OCTOBER WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL

FAMILY LITERATURE

Various venues, Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway, wigtownbookfestival.com

An established and celebrated feature in the Scottish literary calendar, attracting many big names. For ten days, Scotland’s National Book Town buzzes with book events as well as theatre, music and site-specific events.

28 SEPTEMBER BAXTERS LOCH NESS MARATHON & FESTIVAL OF RUNNING

FAMILY OUTDOOR SPORT

Bught Park, Inverness, lochnessmarathon.com

A family-friendly day with a choice of run lengths, from a full marathon along Loch Ness, to a 5k with a ‘Wee Nessie’ for under-5s. Plus an event village at the finish line.

28 SEPTEMBER–4 OCTOBER SHETLAND WOOL WEEK

ART FAMILY HERITAGE

Various venues, Shetland, shetlandwoolweek.com

A celebration of Britain’s most northerly native sheep, the Shetland textile industry and the rural farming community. Expect an extensive range of exhibitions, classes and events, covering topics such as weaving, spinning, dyeing, Fair Isle and lace knitting.

30 SEPTEMBER–4 OCTOBER SAMIZDAT EASTERN EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Various venues, Glasgow, ccaglasgow.com

With a diverse programme of retrospectives and new films, Samizdat is the first Scotland-

based festival dedicated exclusively to cinema from Eastern/Central Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus. As well as the main festival, there will be pop-up events in Edinburgh in October.

OCTOBER (DATES TBC) GALOSHANS FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE

Various venues, Inverclyde, galoshansfestival.co.uk

1–5 OCTOBER GLASGOW AMERICANA MUSIC

Various venues, Glasgow, glasgowamericana.com

ALSO HAPPENING IN SEPTEMBER

. . .

• IBERODOCS FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV

Edinburgh & Glasgow, September, dates tbc

• BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL FILM & TV Music Hall, Aberdeen, 5 September

• LIVE IN THE BIG TOP MUSIC Queens Park, Glasgow, 6 September

• AYR GOLD CUP

HORSERACING SPORT

Ayr Racecourse, Ayr, 20 September

• CAMANACHD CUP

FINAL SHINTY SPORT

Bught Park, Fort William, 20 September

• SKYLINE SCOTLAND TRAIL RUNNING

SPORT Nevis Range, Fort William, 20 September

OCTOBER (DATES TBC)

DISCOVERY FILM FESTIVAL

FAMILY FILM & TV

Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee, dca.org.uk

Scotland’s international film festival for young audiences, Discovery Film Festival takes over DCA to show the best youth cinema from around the world with a series of creative workshops and events for all ages.

A blend of art, culture and Halloween fun designed to showcase the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of Greenock, Gourock, Port Glasgow and surrounding areas.

OCTOBER (DATES TBC)

OH!CON

FILM & TV LITERATURE

An Lanntair & Stornoway Town Hall, Stornoway, Isle Of Lewis, ohcon.info

The Outer Hebrides’ very own comic con. Celebrating the best in sci-fi, fantasy, comics and games with a mix of workshops, talks, exhibits, games and cosplay.

OCTOBER (DATES TBC) PAISLEY HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

FAMILY

Various venues, Paisley, paisley.is Central to the celebration is a 300-strong parade through the streets featuring professional dancers, musicians and performers along with community groups, all suitably themed to Halloween.

OCTOBER (DATES TBC) SCOTTISH MENTAL HEALTH ARTS FESTIVAL MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Scotland, mhfestival.com

A festival exploring how the arts and creativity can help to prevent mental health problems and support people to live mentally healthier lives. It features hundreds of events across Scotland, including music, film, theatre, visual arts, writing, workshops and more.

Glasgow Americana brings together five days of live music, with blues, country and folk, following in the footsteps of the fondly remembered Big Big Country festival.

2–4 OCTOBER AYRSHIRE REAL ALE FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Troon Concert Hall, Troon, ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk

Scotland’s largest cask ale festival featuring over 140 different ales from throughout the country, and 20 real ciders and perries. Event organised and staffed by volunteers from the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA).

2–5 OCTOBER

BEARSCOTFEST

COMMUNITY MUSIC

Various venues, Glasgow, bearscots.org.uk

A festival devoted to ‘bears, cubs, chasers, otters and admirers’ for a weekend of fun at the largest bear event in Britain. The festival includes multiple parties and club nights, brunches, and the crowning of Mr BearScot.

2–5 OCTOBER CALLANDER JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL MUSIC

Various venues, Callander, callanderjazzandblues.com

Popular rural jazz and blues festival with more than 60 gigs across eight venues, featuring live jazz, blues, swing, soul, R’n’B and rock’n’roll, all in the autumn splendour of the Trossachs.

2–5 OCTOBER

THE CUMNOCK TRYST

MUSIC

Various venues, Cumnock, East Ayrshire, thecumnocktryst.com

Established by one of Scotland’s best-known composers, Sir James MacMillan, and held in the town in which he grew up, The Cumnock Tryst mixes international names in classical, jazz and folk music, alongside local composers and performers of all ages.

2 OCTOBER–2 NOVEMBER

THE ENCHANTED FOREST

ART FAMILY HERITAGE

Faskally, near Pitlochry, enchantedforest.org.uk

This family-favourite is a stunning sound and light show that transforms Faskally Wood in Perthshire using dazzling visuals and innovative design, set against an original music score.

3–5 OCTOBER

EDINBURGH

OKTOBERFEST

FOOD & DRINK

West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, edinburgh-oktoberfest.co.uk

In the heart of the city, enjoy the authentic Bavarian vibes at Edinburgh Oktoberfest, with German beer and food and a Bavarian band.

3–5 OCTOBER

FEIS NA MARA

HERITAGE MUSIC

Astley Hall, Arisaig, Highland, feis-na-mara.com

This predominantly traditional music festival features a roster of live bands, most of which have a local connection. There are also workshops, a family dance and impromptu sessions in the pubs.

3–5

OCTOBER

ULLAPOOL GUITAR FESTIVAL

MUSIC

The Macphail Centre, Ullapool, Highland, ullapoolguitarfestival.com

Three days of workshops, performances, trade shows and a festival club. The 2025 line-up includes an afternoon concert

with Professor Allan Neave and students from the Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland, with more to be announced.

3–12 OCTOBER

EDINBURGH COCKTAIL WEEK

FOOD & DRINK

Festival Square, Edinburgh, edinburghcocktailweek.co.uk

The Enchanted Forest, this page

Edinburgh hosts ten days of cocktails in bars, pop-up venues and a special cocktail village, with a live music stage, street-food trucks and entertainment.

4 OCTOBER HADDSTOCK

MUSIC

Haddington Corn Exchange, Haddington, haddstock.co.uk

As part of a refreshed format for Haddstock as it teams up with The Brunton, Kathryn Williams and Withered Hand play, supported by Meursault, with the concert opened by a group from the East Lothian secondary schools’ Battle Of The Bands 2025.

4 & 5 OCTOBER BOOKMARK BOOK FESTIVAL

LITERATURE

Blairgowrie Community Campus, Blairgowrie, bookmarkblair.com

An engaging mix of household names and emerging authors, Bookmark offers a range of readings, meet-the-author events and more.

9–12 OCTOBER

SHETLAND ACCORDION AND FIDDLE FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Shetland, shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com

Now in its 36th year, the festival welcomes over 200 musicians from home and abroad, including full Scottish dance bands, small groups and solo artists, performing concerts and dances in venues throughout Shetland.

10–12 OCTOBER MULL RALLY

OUTDOOR SPORT

Various venues, Isle Of Mull, mullrally.org

A 133-mile, closed-road car rally on the Isle Of Mull, featuring up to 150 competing cars racing against the clock day and night. Spectators permitted.

10–18 OCTOBER

ROYAL NATIONAL MÒD

HERITAGE MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Fort William & Lochaber, ancomunn.co.uk Scotland’s annual celebration

of Gaelic culture returns to Fort William and Lochaber in 2025, with thousands expected to gather for a week-long programme of music, drama, Highland dance, literature and sport.

10–22 OCTOBER

COLONSAY FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Various venues, Isle Of Colonsay, colonsayfoodfest.co.uk

Autumn festival with handson workshops, cooking demonstrations, family-friendly activities, guided walks of the island and more.

11 OCTOBER

EDINBURGH’S WHISKY FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK HERITAGE

Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, slanjevents.co.uk/tickets

Celebrate Scotland’s national drink with the best distilleries, independent bottlers and other whisky-related exhibitors from across Scotland and beyond. The

The Cumnock Tryst, page 79

PHOTO: STUART ARMITT

event’s heritage strand focuses on bringing the history of whisky production back to life through an exhibition as well as live, interactive coopering demonstrations, allowing attendees to get involved in building a barrel.

11 OCTOBER

GIN & RUM FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK MUSIC

Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, ginandrumfestival.com

Head to Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms to discover new favourites at the Gin & Rum Festival, with samples from over 120 of the best gins and rums on the market, plus themed bars, music from awardwinning DJs and live entertainment to enjoy.

11 OCTOBER GLASGOW SHANTY FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

The Tall Ship Glenlee & Riverside Museum, Govan, Glasgow, tmsa.scot

Glasgow Shanty Festival brings a fun day of sea shanties to the banks of the River Clyde with concerts, workshops and activities. Organised by the TMSA (Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland) Glasgow Branch.

11 OCTOBER TENEMENT TRAIL

MUSIC

Various venues, Glasgow, tenementtrail.com

A festival of musical discovery, with bands performing across multiple venues in Glasgow (such as Barrowlands, St Luke’s, The Winged Ox, McChuills and BAaD, as Tenement Trail celebrates its tenth edition in 2025.

11 & 12 OCTOBER

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry & Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling, banff-uk.com

Touring collection of adventure-based short films. See entry page 25.

11 & 12 OCTOBER

COMIC CON SCOTLAND

FILM & TV LITERATURE

Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, comicconventionscotland.co.uk

Comic Con Scotland is one of Europe’s largest pop-culture conventions, attracting tens of thousands of fans annually to the Royal Highland Centre. The event features a variety of star guests from movies, TV, streaming, gaming, anime and sports entertainment.

13–17 OCTOBER BLAZIN’ IN BEAULY

HERITAGE MUSIC

Various venues, Beauly, Highland, blazininbeauly.com

The brainchild of Blazin’ Fiddles, this festival immerses visitors in the music of the Highlands through concerts, sessions, talks and workshops. The festival celebrates its 25th birthday in 2025, so expect extra-special events added to the programme, plus the presence of the festival’s founder, Bruce MacGregor.

17 & 18 OCTOBER

TOBERMORY

BOOK FESTIVAL

LITERATURE

Various venues, Tobermory, Isle Of Mull, westoversea.co.uk

Book festival with readings, book signings, author interviews and a festival bookshop.

17–26 OCTOBER

BIGGAR LITTLE FESTIVAL

MULTI-ARTS

Various venues, Biggar, biggarlittlefestival.com

This small Lanarkshire festival punches above its weight with a large programme of arts events produced by local community groups, plus a couple of big-name touring artists, including comedy, theatre, exhibitions, walks, dance and music of all kinds.

18 OCTOBER GLASGOW VEGAN FESTIVAL FOOD & DRINK

Easterhouse Sports Centre, Glasgow, veganeventsuk.co.uk/ glasgow-vegan-festival

Over 60 stalls selling food catering, meat and dairy alternatives, crueltyfree beauty products and clothes, along with talks, information and cookery demonstrations.

22 OCTOBER–1 NOVEMBER

SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL FAMILY LITERATURE

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, sisf.org.uk

A celebration of live storytelling and imagination uniting Scottish and international storytellers and musicians. Featuring performances, workshops, talks and children’s events, with guest storytellers.

24 & 25 OCTOBER AUTUMN TRAD FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

The Vault Arts Centre, Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway, tradmusic.com

Showcasing the very best in young traditional music talent, with sessions all weekend at The Vault Arts Centre, late into the evening.

to Orkney and Shetland and Spot

Your journey begins as you set sail with NorthLink Ferries. The comfortable and reliable service offers sailings from Aberdeen to Lerwick, Shetland, with regular calls into Orkney’s capital of Kirkwall.

Alternatively travel to Orkney’s port of Stromness from Caithness. This 90 minute journey on MV Hamnavoe is the only sailing to Orkney which passes the iconic sea stack, the Old Man of Hoy.

Shetland

Orkney

northlinkferries.co.uk

24 & 25 OCTOBER PERTH ALL-SCOTLAND

ACCORDION & FIDDLE FESTIVAL

HERITAGE MUSIC

Salutation Hotel, Perth, perthaccordionfestival.co.uk

Run every year since 1950, featuring competitions, concerts and ceilidhs, and opening with a welcome dance on Friday night.

24–26 OCTOBER WEIRD WEEKEND FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

CCA, Glasgow, makeitweird.co.uk

Annual cult film festival based in Glasgow, founded, programmed and produced by Matchbox Cine. It presents strange and unseen cinema from around the world, celebrating the film world’s orphans, outcasts and outliers.

28 OCTOBER–1 NOVEMBER SCOTTISH QUEER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV POLITICS

CCA, Glasgow, sqiff.org

Scotland’s annual celebration of queer cinema, with screenings, workshops, networking opportunities and more.

31 OCTOBER SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL

HERITAGE OUTDOOR

Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, beltane.org

Hosted by Beltane Fire Society, the festival celebrates the Celtic New Year, marking the end of summer and welcoming the onset of winter. The change of seasons is brought to life through wild drumming, fire-dancing, acrobatics and vibrant costumes.

31 OCTOBER–2 NOVEMBER SCOTLAND LOVES ANIME

FILM & TV

GFT, Glasgow, lovesanimation.com Festival showcasing the latest Japanese animation with experts on hand to provide behind-thescenes information.

31 OCTOBER–3 NOVEMBER CENTRAL SCOTLAND

DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling, macrobertartscentre.org/ centscotdocufest

Celebrating creative documentary and non-fiction filmmaking. Curated and presented by Macrobert Arts Centre, it’s a fitting tribute to the city of Stirling, which is the birthplace of John Grierson, the ‘father of documentary’.

ALSO HAPPENING IN OCTOBER . . .

• WAYWORD FESTIVAL

LITERATURE University of Aberdeen, 1–5 October

• TIREE WAVE CLASSIC

WINDSURFING SPORT

Isle Of Tiree, 11–17 October

• FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER (MENS)

SPORT Glasgow 9, 12

NOVEMBER (DATES TBC)

DUNDEE JAZZ FESTIVAL MUSIC

Various venues, Dundee, jazzscotland.com

International jazz names rub shoulders with Dundonian talent in a programme that covers many styles of jazz, including blues, soul, funk, big band and Latin.

5 NOVEMBER–11 DECEMBER

FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL UK

FILM & TV

Various venues, Scotland, frenchfilmfestival.org.uk

The UK-wide festival dedicated to Francophone cinema, with a programme that features guest filmmakers and actors in meet-the-public sessions, UK premieres, retrospectives, an education programme, documentaries, animation, shorts and special events.

7–13 NOVEMBER INVERNESS FILM FESTIVAL

FILM & TV

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, eden-court.co.uk

The Highland capital hosts a week of screenings, film premieres and a handpicked selection of work by international directors.

10–16 NOVEMBER SCOTLAND LOVES ANIME

FILM & TV

Cameo Cinema, Edinburgh, lovesanimation.com

The Scotland Loves Anime festival showcases the latest Japanese animation with experts on hand to provide behind-the-scenes information.

12–16 NOVEMBER

WOFF: WORLD OF FILM INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL GLASGOW

FILM & TV

Grosvenor Picture Theatre, Glasgow, woffglasgow.com

Returning for its 12th year in 2025, WoFF brings audiences, filmmakers and industry professionals together, creating a platform to exchange ideas, showcase work and discuss new trends in the industry.

14–16 NOVEMBER SCOTS FIDDLE FESTIVAL

FAMILY HERITAGE MUSIC

The Pleasance, Edinburgh, scotsfiddlefestival.com

An exciting, fiddle-fuelled weekend with concerts, recitals, workshops, talks, stalls, sessions, festival clubs and ceilidhs.

14 NOVEMBER–21 DECEMBER OBAN WINTER FESTIVAL

ART FAMILY

Various venues, Oban, obanwinterfestival.com

A wide range of activities, films and light shows to celebrate the winter season.

21–23 NOVEMBER

PUSH THE BOAT OUT POETRY FESTIVAL

LITERATURE MULTI-ARTS

Summerhall, Edinburgh, pushtheboatout.org

Edinburgh’s leading poetry

festival offering a rich mix of events including poetry readings, singer-songwriter circles, music, dance, film screenings, beach walks, panels, workshops and development opportunities.

27–29 NOVEMBER WINTERSTORM

MUSIC

Troon Concert Hall, Troon, winterstorm.co.uk

This weekend of heavy rock, metal, blues and melodic rock music takes place over three days on two stages.

27 NOVEMBER–1 DECEMBER SOUNDHOUSE WINTER FESTIVAL

MUSIC

Various venues, Edinburgh, soundhousewinterfest.com

Five-day music festival incorporating performances by some of the best musicians from

Scotland, some of the most exciting newcomers and offering a full programme of workshops.

29 NOVEMBER DRAMBUSTERS WHISKY FESTIVAL

FOOD & DRINK

Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, drambusters.com

Meet the makers and celebrities of the whisky world and have a wee dram of a range of malts and other spirits.

5–23 DECEMBER THE FESTIVE PALACE FAMILY HERITAGE

Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow, thefestivepalace.com

An atmospheric walk around the beautiful palace and grounds, with lighting, projections and lasers creating ‘Christmas through the ages’, plus live music, Santa’s grotto, festive characters and more.

Hoolie In The Hydro, page 87

by Keith Valentine

Photo

6 & 7 DECEMBER

LOCH LOMOND SHORES:

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

FAMILY FOOD & DRINK

Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, lochlomondshores.com

Loch Lomond Shores rounds off its year of lively entertainment festivals with a host of food and drink, live entertainment, rides and more for all the family.

13 DECEMBER

HOOLIE IN THE HYDRO

HERITAGE MUSIC

OVO Hydro, Glasgow, ovohydro.com

Scotland’s biggest night of traditional music returns to the Hydro. Check website ovohydro.com/events/detail/ hoolie-in-the-hydro-2025 for line-up.

22–30 DECEMBER EDINBURGH

INTERNATIONAL MAGIC FESTIVAL

FAMILY THEATRE & DANCE

Various venues, Edinburgh, magicfest.co.uk

An exciting programme of shows, cabarets, site-specific events and workshops designed for all ages to experience and enjoy the wonder of magic and illusion.

31 DECEMBER STONEHAVEN FIREBALLS CEREMONY

COMMUNITY HERITAGE OUTDOOR Stonehaven High Street, Stonehaven, stonehavenfireballs.com

As the bells chime midnight on Hogmanay, welcome in the New Year watching the spectacular sight of a troupe of revellers parading up and down Stonehaven’s High Street, swinging balls of fire around their heads, creating patterns in the air and lighting up the night sky, followed by a firework display.

LOOKING AHEAD TO WINTER 2025/26

At the time this guide is compiled, details for many festivals and events planned for the winter months at the end of 2025 and early 2026 have yet to be announced or confirmed.

In addition to events listed in the pages immediately above, there is plenty to anticipate. Light shows are becoming an increasingly popular part of the build-up to Christmas during December, transforming attractions such as Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden (Christmas At The Botanics), Edinburgh Castle (Castle Of Light), Linlithgow Palace ( The Festive Palace), and Monteviot House and Gardens (Monteviot Lights) near Jedburgh.

Well-established Christmas markets and event programmes are planned in the big cities but there are also winter festivals in towns such as Oban, Helensburgh and at Loch Lomond Shores at Balloch. More specialised events have also come to make the winter slot their own, such as Soundhouse music festival in Edinburgh and WinterStorm festival of rock in Troon, both in late November, as well as Edinburgh International Magic Festival spanning the weeks before and after Christmas.

The highest profile of the year-end celebrations is Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, where big-name acts bring in the new year among numerous other festivities and fireworks.

Also well established in their early-year slots are events such as folk and roots festival Celtic Connections in Glasgow in January, the entrancing Spectra light installations around Aberdeen in February, and the international celebration of animated film, puppetry and visual theatre known as Manipulate Festival in the capital in early February.

If you are already planning your festivals for 2026, then a very special winter wonder to remember is Up Helly Aa, the annual Viking fire festival in Lerwick in Shetland, which happens on the last Tuesday of January.

Spectra

INDEXES

By Category

ART

An Talla Solais Art Week 72

Angus Festival of Makers 36

Architecture Fringe 47

Biggar Little Festival 82

Borders Art Fair 27

Dornoch Fibre Fest 27

Edinburgh Art Fair 75

Edinburgh Art Festival 67

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 65

The Enchanted Forest 79

Fringe by the Sea 65

Glasgow Zine Fest 58

Hidden Door Festival 51

Largo Arts Week 59

Leith Festival 52

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 26

Manipulate Festival 25

Merchant City Festival 61

Nairn Book and Arts Festival 70

NEOS: North East Open Studios 75

NT Art Week 46

Oban Winter Festival 85

Open Studios North Fife 36

Outwith Fest 71

Perth Festival of the Arts 43

Pittenweem Arts Festival 67

Rattray Arts Festival 68

St Magnus International Festival 52

Sanquhar Arts Festival 44

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 78

The Scottish Yarn Festival 70

Shetland Wool Week 76

Solas Festival 52

Spectra: Aberdeen’s Festival of Light 87

Spring Fling 44

Vogrie Pogrie 75

WestFest 46

The Woolly Good Gathering 30

COMEDY

Aberdeen Comedy Festival 76

Biggar Little Festival 82

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival 40

The Eden Festival 51

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 65

Edinburgh International Improv Festival 29

Glasgow International Comedy Festival 26

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 26

Merchant City Festival 61

Outwith Fest 71

Perth Festival of the Arts 43

Vogrie Pogrie 75

Woodzstock Music Festival 52

FAMILY

Aberdeen Mela - One World Day 70

Aberdeen Sausage and Cider Festival 67

Anstruther Harbour Festival 44

Ballater Victoria Week 67

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon 76

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 62

ButeFest 61

BVAC Classic - Festival of Motoring 51 Colonsay Festival of Spring 36 Discovery Film Festival 78

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival 40

Dunbar Music Festival 76

LOOKING AHEAD TO WINTER 2025/26

Dundee Science Festival 25

Dundee Westfest: Big Sunday

Edinburgh Canal Festival and Raft Race 53 Edinburgh Festival Fringe 65 Edinburgh International Book Festival 67

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 44

Edinburgh International Film Festival 68 Edinburgh International Magic Festival 87 Edinburgh Science Festival 30 Eilean Dorcha

WHAT DOES CREATIVITY MEAN TO

Scottish Festival of Motoring 61

Scottish International Storytelling Festival 82

Scottish Traditional Boat Festival 53

Scottish Wild Food Festival 40

Shetland Wool Week 76

Single Parent Festival 59

Sma’ Shot Day 58

Speyfest 62

Strathaven Balloon Festival 70

Strichen Festival 43

Surge Festival 61

Tabletop Scotland 71

Tarbert Seafood Festival 58

Thrive Bike 76

Tiree Music Festival 59

Truckfest Scotland 65

UnstFest 59

Vogrie Pogrie 75

WestFest 46

Wigtown Book Festival 76

WILDHOOD: A Children’s Festival 47

World Pipe Band Championships 68

FILM & TV

Aboyne & Deeside Festival 57

Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival 35

Banff Mountain Film Festival 25

Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival 29

Capital Sci-Fi Con 25

Central Scotland Documentary Festival 84

Comic Con Scotland 82

Comic Con Scotland Aberdeen 26

Discovery Film Festival 78

Dundead Horror Film Festival 39

Edinburgh International Film Festival 68

Film & Comic Con Glasgow 68

Fort William Mountain Festival 25

French Film Festival UK 84

Glasgow Cathedral Festival 75

Glasgow Film Festival 25

Glasgow Short Film Festival 29

Glasgow Youth Film Festival 76

Hidden Door Festival 51

Hippodrome Silent Film Festival (HippFest) 29

Iberodocs Film Festival 78

Inverness Film Festival 84

Leith Festival 52

Light The Blue 46

Manipulate Festival 25

Montrose LandxSea Film Fest 72

Nairn Book and Arts Festival 70

New Lanark Film Festival 29

OH!Con 78

Outwith Fest 71

Power Gaming and Comic Con 26

Push the Boat Out Poetry Festival 85

Samizdat Eastern European Film Festival 76

Sands: International Film Festival of St Andrews 33

Scotland Loves Anime (Glasgow) 84

Scotland Loves Anime (Edinburgh) 84

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 78

Scottish Queer International Film Festival 84

Sea Change Film Festival 75

Weird Weekend Film Festival 84 WestFest 46

WoFF: World of Film International Festival 84

FOOD & DRINK

Aberdeen Sausage and Cider Festival 67

Anstruther Harbour Festival 44

Ayrshire Real Ale Festival 78

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 62

Biscuit Factory Beverage Festival 30

Campbeltown Malts Festival 43

Clackmannanshire’s Whisky Festival 30

Colonsay Food and Drink Festival 81

Currie Beer and Curry Festival 47

Drambusters Whisky Festival 85

Drinkmonger Spirits Festival 27

Eaglesham Beer Festival 57

Edinburgh Cocktail Week 79 Edinburgh Food Festival 61 Edinburgh Oktoberfest 79 Edinburgh’s Whisky Festival 81 Fèis Ìle - The Islay Festival 44

OH!Con 78

Paisley Book Festival 32

Power Gaming and Comic Con 26

Push the Boat Out Poetry Festival 85

Royal National Mod 81

Scottish International Storytelling Festival 82

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 78

Solas Festival 52

StAnza: Scotland’s International Poetry Festival 27

Tobermory Book Festival 82

WayWord Festival 84

Wigtown Book Festival 76

Winter Words Festival 25

MULTI-ARTS

Aboyne & Deeside Festival 57

Biggar Little Festival 82

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival 40

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 65

Edinburgh International Festival 65

Fringe by the Sea 65

Glasgow Cathedral Festival 75

Hidden Door Festival 51

Leith Festival 52

Light The Blue 46

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 26

Merchant City Festival 61

Nairn Book and Arts Festival 70

Outwith Fest 71

Perth Festival of the Arts 43

Push the Boat Out Poetry Festival 85

Refugee Festival Scotland 51

Royal National Mod 81

St Magnus International Festival 52

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 78

Solas Festival 52

Surge Festival 61

Vogrie Pogrie 75 WestFest 46

WILDHOOD: A Children’s Festival 47

OUTDOOR

Arran Mountain Festival 40

Ballater Walking Festival 40

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon 76

Beltane Fire Festival 33

Caithness & Sutherland Walking Festival 36

Colonsay Festival of Spring 36

Crieff & Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst Walking Festival 39

Dukes Weekender 52

Edinburgh Canal Festival and Raft Race 53

Edinburgh Marathon Festival 44

The Fife Show 46

Fort William Mountain Festival 25

Galloway Country Fair 67

Galloway Motorcycle Club Off-Road Festival 70

GWCT Scottish Game Fair 57

Inverness Festival of Walking and Wheeling 46

Moray Walking & Outdoor Festival 51

Muck n’ Mac Fest 35

Mull Rally 81

Newton Stewart Walking Festival 39 Orkney Nature Festival 39

Perth Show 62

The Royal Highland Show 52 Run the Blades 61 Samhuinn Fire Festival 84

Scotland’s Daffodil Festival

Main Index

Aberdeen Comedy Festival 76

Aberdeen Jazz Festival 27

Aberdeen Mela - One World Day 70

Aberdeen Sausage and Cider Festival 67

Aboyne & Deeside Festival 57

Accordion & Fiddle Festival see NAAFC

Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival 35

An Talla Solais Art Week 72

Angus Festival of Makers 36

Anstruther Harbour Festival 44

Architecture Fringe 47

Arran Folk Festival 46

Arran Mountain Festival 40

Autumn Trad Festival 82

Ayr Gold Cup Festival 14, 78

Ayrshire Real Ale Festival 78

Back Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival 11, 65

Ballater Victoria Week 67

Ballater Walking Festival 40

Banff Mountain Film Festival 25, 40, 78, 82

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon 76

BearScotFest 78

BearScotWest 43

Beat-Herder 17

Belfast TradFest 17

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival 10, 62

Belsonic 17

Beltane Fire Festival 33

Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival 29

Biggar Little Festival 82

Biscuit Factory Beverage Festival 30

Black Isle Calling 72

Blazin’ in Beauly 82

Bloody Scotland 72

Bonfest 35

Bookmark Book Festival 81

Borders Art Fair 27

Borders Book Festival 51

Boswell Book Festival 39

British Mountainbike

Downhill Champs 14, 62

British Superbike Championship 62

Burl in the Burgh 62

Bute Noir 65

ButeFest 61

BVAC Classic - Festival of Motoring 51

Caithness & Sutherland Walking Festival 36

Callander Jazz and Blues Festival 78

Camanachd Cup Final 14, 78

Campbeltown Malts Festival 43

Cantilena Festival on Islay 58

Capital Sci-Fi Con 25

Castle Concerts 57

Castle of Light 87

Celtic Connections 87

Central Scotland

Documentary Festival 84

Ceòl Cholasa 75

Christmas at the Botanics 87

The City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival 17

Clackmannanshire’s Whisky Festival 30

Colonsay Book Festival 33

Colonsay Festival of Spring 36

Colonsay Food and Drink Festival 81

Coloursfest 65

Comic Con Scotland 82

Comic Con Scotland Aberdeen 26

Commonwealth Games 14 Core 72

Counterflows 29

C2C: Country to Country 27

Crieff & Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst Walking Festival 39 The Cumnock Tryst 79

Currie Beer and Curry Festival 47 CYMERA 47

Daffodil Festival see Scotland’s Daffodil Festival

Dance International Glasgow 39 Discovery Film Festival 78

Doof In The Park 11, 57

Doonfest 57

Dornoch Fibre Fest 27

Drambusters Whisky Festival 85

Drinkmonger Spirits Festival 27

Drovers’ Tryst

Foodies Festival (Glasgow) 22, 67

Fort William Mountain Festival 25

FoxFest 67

Freakender Festivel 75

Free Festival 21

French Film Festival UK 84

Fresh Ayr Folk Fest 67

FrightFest see Glasgow Film Festival

Fringe by the Sea 22, 65

Fun For Life Fest 11, 65

FyneFest 46

Galloway Country Fair 67

Galloway Motorcycle Club

Off-Road Festival 70

Galloway Music Festival 26

Galoshans Festival 78

Game Fair

see GWCT Scottish Game Fair

The Garden Party 11, 62

The Gathering 44

Genesis Scottish Open 14, 62

Gin & Rum Festival (Glasgow) 70

Gin & Rum Festival (Edinburgh) 82

Girvan Traditional Folk Festival 35

Glasgow Americana 78

Glasgow Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival 33

Glasgow Cathedral Festival 75

Glasgow Coffee Festival 33

Glasgow Festival of Burlesque 11, 32

Glasgow Film Festival 25

Glasgow International

Comedy Festival 26

Glasgow International Piping Festival see Piping Live!

Glasgow Jazz Festival 52

Glasgow Mela 53

The Glasgow Real Ale Festival 52

Glasgow Science Festival 46

Glasgow Shanty Festival 82

Glasgow Short Film Festival 29

Glasgow Vegan Festival 82

Glasgow Youth Film Festival 76

Glasgow Zine Fest 58

Glenfarg Folk Feast 30

Govan Music Festival 29

Granite City Festival 53

Granite Noir 25

Gravity Beer Festival 76

GWCT Scottish Game Fair 57

Haddstock 47, 81

Hawick Reivers Festival 29

Heartland Festival 53

HebCelt 10, 16, 59

Helensburgh Winter Festival 87

Hidden Door Festival 11, 51

Highland Games 14

Hippodrome Silent Film Festival (HippFest) 11, 29

Hoolie in the Hydro 87

Iberodocs Film Festival 78

The Independent Spirits Festival 27

Inverness Festival of Walking and Wheeling 46

Inverness Film Festival 84

Inverness Music Festival 26

Islay Book Festival 70

Islay Festival see Fèis Ìle Isle of Jura Music Festival 76

Keith Festival see TMSA Keith

Kelburn Garden Party 10, 57

Kelso Folk Festival 71

Killin Music Fest 52

Kintyre Songwriters Festival 57

Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival 51

Kirriemuir TMSA Festival of Music & Song 71

Knockengorroch Festival 10, 43

Islay Jazz Festival 76

Lammermuir Festival 71

LandxSea Film Fest see Montrose LandxSea

Larbert Real Ale Festival 29

Largo Arts Week 59

Largs Viking Festival 11, 70

Leith Festival 52

Light The Blue 46

Lindisfarne Festival 17

Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival 72

Loch Lomond Shores: Christmas Festival 85, 87

Loch Lomond Shores: Summerfest 58

Perth Show 62

Pint of Science Festival 43

Piping Live! Glasgow International

Piping Festival 68

Pittenweem Arts Festival 67

Pomegranates Festival 33

Potfest Scotland 47

Power Gaming and Comic Con 26

Prty Festival 57

Punk on the Peninsula 43

Push the Boat Out Poetry Festival 85

Queen’s Park Spring Weekender 35

Rattray Arts Festival 68

The Reeling 47

Refugee Festival Scotland 51

Rise Festival 44

Riverside Festival 46

Roxburghe Rocks 67

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 21, 65

The Royal Highland Show 52

Royal National Mod 81

Run the Blades 61

St James Quarter Summer Sessions 68

St Magnus International Festival 16, 52

Samhuinn Fire Festival 84

Samizdat Eastern European Film Festival 76

Sands: International Film Festival of St Andrews 33

Sanquhar Arts Festival 44

Scone Palace International Horse Trials 14, 71

Scotland Calling 33

Scotland Loves Anime (Glasgow) 84

Scotland Loves Anime (Edinburgh) 84

Scotland Vegan Festival 59

Scotland’s Daffodil Festival 30

Scotonomics Festival of Economics 29

Scots Fiddle Festival 85

Scottish Community Drama

One Act Play Festival 26

Scottish Festival of Motoring 61

Scottish Festival of Real Bread 25

Scottish Geology Festival 71

Scottish Grand National 14

Scottish International Storytelling Festival 82

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 78

Scottish National Surfing Championships 35

Scottish Open 14, 62

Scottish Queer International Film Festival 84

The Scottish Rum Festival 72

Scottish Series see Tarbert Scottish Series

Scottish Six Days Trial 36

Scottish Traditional Boat Festival 53

Scottish Vegan Festival 30

Scottish Wild Food Festival 40

The Scottish Yarn Festival 70

Sea Change Film Festival 75 SeaFest 75

Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Festival 81

Shetland Folk Festival 16, 35

Shetland Wool Week 76

Single Parent Festival 59

Six Days Trial

see Scottish Six Days Trial

Six Nations Rugby 14

Skye Live 10, 39

Skyline Scotland 14, 78

Sma’ Shot Day 58

SMHAH see Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival

Solas Festival 52

Soundhouse Winter Festival 85, 87

Spectra: Aberdeen’s Festival of Light 87 Speyfest 62

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 33 Spring Fling 44

Spring Weekender see Queen’s Park Spring Weekender

Springfest: The Scottish Food & Drink Festival 30

SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival 40

SQIFF

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