Days out

Things to do in Scotland when it’s dead

So, apparently there’s some sort of small gathering happening in Edinburgh, and that means the rest of the country is effectively closed for business? Er, wrong. Here’s our essential guide to getting yourself a festival experience without going to the…

World Pipe Band Championships

Highland games, taste of Scotland, and dancing on the Glasgow Green

Look at this happy bunch of pipers. Would you believe they’re actually Canadian? Simon Fraser University’s bagpipe squad won last year’s world championship title: teams from as far afield as New Zealand, Pakistan and, er, Paisley keep their eyes (and…

BAFTA Young Games Designers Workshops

A unique opportunity for 12–16-year-olds to work with experts on the planning, design and creation of video games. Participants will have the chance to get a head start on their entries for the BAFTA Young Games Designers competition, which is open…

The Festival of the Imagination

A huge, groundbreaking new festival for the people of North Glasgow.

Big tops. Gigs. Silent discos. Theatre shows. Circus workshops. Ballroom dancing, sequinned bicycles and a ‘tented village of dreams’. And no, we’re not talking about Edinburgh. The Festival of the Imagination, the biggest ever arts event to be held in…

The Forest Café celebrates tenth birthday

Volunteer-run café is a true original in Edinburgh

The Forest Café’s tenth birthday, happening mostly on Saturday 14 August, but spreading its shambolic, joyous tentacles throughout the rest of the month, is one of those true causes for celebration. That an entirely volunteer-run, hippy-hearted…

Edinburgh Mela 2010

An international and ceremonial start to the Festivals

These days the Mela is just as much of a ceremonial start to Edinburgh’s Festivals as the (often far less exciting) Fringe Cavalcade. This year, alongside Bollywood dance shows, multi-artform companies from China, traditional Sufi music from Rizwan…

Jeffery Deaver book signing

Get your copies signed of yet another breakneck-paced bestseller by the ex-journo, attorney and folk singer. The Burning Wire features an attack on the Manhattan electricity grid with more promised. Our heroic double act, Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs…

T in the Park 2010: Travel, bus and parking information

Bus: With services running from over 30 locations across Scotland, the fastest way to get to T this year is by bus. Citylink has services from both Glasgow and Edinburgh leaving every 30 minutes direct to the campsite. All tickets must be bought in…

Nick Cave, Jackie Kay and Alan Warner set for Dundee Literary Festival 2010

Watch out Edinburgh, there’s a new kid on the east coast block. Well, OK, chances are Dundee’s bookish extravaganza might never quite reach the exalted status of the capital’s world-beating literary fiesta but it’s making a very strong case for itself…

Neighbourhoods, Watch! - Leith Festival Vs West End Festival

In the East corner, Edinburgh’s Leith Festival! In the West corner, Glasgow’s West End Festival! Kirstin Innes adjudicates the battle of the community fests.

Rock Ness: Festival director Jim King's guide to the event

Rock Ness festival director Jim King guides us through the three days of must-see acts

Kevin Bridges, Derrick May and Green Velvet on Rock Ness 2010 bill

Rock Ness has more to offer than just great DJs and lashings of live music, as Henry Northmore finds out

How to holiday in Scotland: Scottish Travel A-Z

We’re here to persuade you that you don’t need foreign beaches or backpacking tours to make the most of the summer. There’s a world of wonder right on your doorstep, with plenty of Scottish excursions to keep you entertained until autumn. Anna Millar…

How to holiday in Scotland

Forget ash clouds and airline strikes, there’s plenty of fun to be had on your doorstep, at a fraction of the cost. If you’re itching to get out of Edinburgh or Glasgow, but want to leave the car at home, then look no further for some great deals, by…

After Dolly: Where Do You Draw the Line?

It’s been 13 years since Edinburgh-based scientists successfully cloned a sheep, and as the first man-made life forms blubber onto the planet, scientists from Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, where Dolly the Sheep was created, get together with their…

Gok Wan glams up Glasgow at Glam in the City

Spandy dandy Gok Wan joins forces with Lorraine Kelly (yeah, we’re scared too...) for three days of fashion shows, workshops, makeovers and exclusive evening events, all based out of a great big tent on George Square. Tickets from www.glaminthecity.co.uk.

Best bars in and around Leith

David Pollock suggests the finest locations for a festival beverage, or two

We Saw You: Heather Steele

Heather Steele, trainee journalist, 22, Cardiff My shoes are from Urban Outfitters and the leggings are from Old Navy. I got the skirt on holiday in Montreal. It’s by InSight, which I think is an Australian label. My jumper is vintage, I got it…

Trainspotting Tour

There are few books that have changed the landscape of contemporary Scottish literature quite like Irvine Welsh’s debut novel of 1993. Over the course of two hours, you’ll spot Irvo’s flat, Sick Boy’s pub and Leith police station on your way to getting…

Edinburgh Festival of Sport

It’s a sad but true fact that the closest many parents come to sporting activity is dropping their kids off at the swimming pool or standing at the touchline on a Saturday morning. Which is why Edinburgh’s Active Schools campaign has just launched its…

Stag & Dagger Day Festival

Stag & Dagger is Glasgow’s other one-ticket, multi-venue festival, and it lands on what must be the hottest day of the year so far. Its rival Hinterland only took place in April, but this is a decidedly more underground effort, lacking the big names and…

John Cage Musicircus brings contemporary music to children

He may not be around to see it, but it’s a fairly safe bet that John Cage would approve of Tramway’s upcoming family event. The late American composer created his first ‘Musicircus’ back in 1967, and over 40 years later, the idea is still going…

Seafood theme to East Lothian’s 3 Harbours Arts Festival 2010

Kirstin Innes finds out why East Lothian’s 3 Harbours Arts Festival has a whole new fishy wing

Made in the Shade bring Springtime Jamboree craft to Edinburgh

It’s two years since the ‘neo-craft’ collective, Made in the Shade began. As they celebrate their 2nd birthday with the first craft fair in Edinburgh, Carrie Maclennan looks back...

Edinburgh Skate Park opens

It’s mean, it’s green, and it’s obscenely fun – Edinburgh Skate Park is now open for business. Sam Patterson, a long-time skateboarder himself, has been present at all stages of the park’s development. Niki Boyle speaks to him about his skate park…