Days out

Misadventures in Wonderland: Pub poker tournament

This month we sent Alice to a pub poker tournament. So what lessons did she take away from it?

There are poker groups everywhere but if you’re not looking for them, you won’t see them. I initially stumbled into the wrong match: I turned up at a wine bar with a few ‘mum’s church friends’ types, playing cards, drinking rosé and talking about HRT. I…

Edinburgh Festival of Cycling 2013 - Talks, rides, workshops and bike polo

Five reason to attend the Edinburgh inaugural celebration of all things bike

It’s the first one ever. Edinburgh doesn’t seem to have reached festival saturation point yet, so how about one for cycling? The original proposed mission statement suggested that, ‘it wouldn’t be about the cyclist, it would be about people who use or…

Misadventures in Wonderland: Rock'n'Roll Ping Pong

Our intrepid columnist Alice tells us what she learned at Bongo Club's table tennis club night

1. I’m not entirely negative. Before all my previous challenges for this column, I’ve been a real dick about it. I don’t know if it was the vast amount of attention I was getting from telling people that I was going to an amateur ping pong night in the…

Geek Walks and Dead Sleazy among the Glasgow Science Festival 2013 highlights

Other top events include a Festival of Frogs and the science of whisky

As it enters its sixth year, the biggest draw of the Glasgow Science Festival continues to be a huge range of family events. Whether you’re a hardcore chemistry aficionado or just curious about big bangs and bright flashes, this year’s offerings should…

Edinburgh Zoo Nights promises a wild night out in one of the capital's landmarks

Food, drink, comedy and animal handling among the activities on offer

Food, drink, comedy and pandas. Sounds like a good night out? That’s what Edinburgh Zoo (in partnership with your favourite listings magazine) is promising as part of the inaugural Zoo Nights event this month, the latest in a line of attempts to turn…

Outwork by Stephen Sutcliffe

Ambitious new show from the Glasgow video artist

One only has to look at the names on the spines of the books projected on the two large side-screens that flank a central one in Stephen Sutcliffe's large-scale film installation to get where he's coming from. Philosopher Jacques Derrida, semiotician…

Illicit Ink - Edinburgh spoken word night

Free spoken-word show from some of Edinburgh's newest undiscovered talents

The Bongo Club has become the home of one of Edinburgh’s freshest groups of writers, who come together to share short stories in the heart of the Cowgate. They recite pieces based on a common theme (the two most recent being school and sleep), each…

Prom on the Prom promises a fun, family-friendly fiddling frenzy

The public musical performance encourages kids to pick up an instrument

Despite the name of their organisation, the founders of Fun Fiddle are well aware that learning a musical instrument doesn’t come easy. ‘We’re called Fun Fiddle, but let’s face it, it’s not always fun,’ says Gica Loening of the Portobello-based group…

The newly-christened Tradfest presents 'feast of culture in the Festival city'

Traditional and folk artists taking part include Karine Polwart, Alasdair Roberts and Shooglenifty

Tradfest is a new 12 day festival bringing dance, crafts, folk drama and environmental celebrations to venues across Edinburgh. The first under this particular name, the festival is organised by the Scottish Storytelling Centre on behalf of Traditional…

Scottish National Portrait Gallery offers kids a chance to Sleepover Under the Stars

Storytelling, snacks and songs part of the gallery's special overnight event

Standing in The Great Hall at the entrance to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, you’re surrounded by, well, greatness. Busts and statues of important figures loom over you, while above your head, tiny stars cover the ceiling, reminding us of the…

CBeebies Live! Interview: Katrina Bryan, aka Nina of Nina and the Neurons

The Scottish actress will be appearing as part of Justin & Friends with Justin Fletcher

If they were handing out titles in CBeebies land, it’s a fairly safe bet that Justin Fletcher would be crowned king. Appointed an MBE for his services to children’s broadcasting in 2008, Fletcher is currently playing stadiums across the UK in the first…

Programme highlights at the Edinburgh International Science Festival 2013

The 2013 fest isn't just for kids, although slime creation and balloon modelling do feature

Not to be outdone by its ever-expanding August cousin, the Fringe, the Edinburgh International Science Festival is growing bigger each year. Nowhere is this more apparent than at the City Art Centre, where 100 drop-in workshops will be taking place each…

The grossest events at the Edinburgh International Science Festival 2013

Delight your kids with the smelliest, gooiest, messiest events from this year's programme

Getting kids interested in educational activities is not the easiest task in the world, but we’ve found it helps if you make things sound as gross as possible. The boffins at the Science Festival know this too, and have created five events designed to…

StAnza's Poetry Breakfasts streaming online

Those unable to make it to the St Andrews-based poetry festival can watch online

The StAnza Poetry Festival 2013 is currently in full swing, with wordsmiths Robin Roberston, John Hegley and Gillian Clarke joining Scotland's Poet Laureate Liz Lochhead in St Andrews. This weekend the festival, which runs until Sun 10 Mar, will be…

Misadventures in Wonderland: Just what exactly is historical fencing?

We send our columnist to learn how to wield a sword at a historical fencing class

As strange as it is being a 24-year-old woman ordered by your boss to go and fight a bunch of strangers with a stick, I told myself this still wasn't an excuse for the return of my belligerent attitude when forced to do PE at school. My mum would give…

A preview of the Edinburgh Iranian Festival 2013

The festival brings together film, music, visual art, and comedy in the shape of Patrick Monahan

When you mention Iran in the current climate, most people think of the politics of the country. But there is of course more to the place than what we see in the news – and the 2013 Edinburgh Iranian Festival is our opportunity to learn more about…

Glasgow's museums' A Grand Day Out promises hands-on fun for kids and grandparents

The monthly event kicks off at the Kelvingrove Museum on Sat 2 Feb

For Wallace and Gromit, a grand day out meant a trip to the moon. Happily, the events team at Glasgow Museums have got something closer to home in mind. Starting this February, on the first Saturday of every month, they’ll be running free hands-on…

Food, print and zoo subscriptions - the perfect last minute gift

Featuring animal adoption, monthly book and magazine subscriptions and early bird ticket offers

It’s 8am on Christmas morning. All the stockings have been opened. Wrapping paper is strewn everywhere. Grandpa’s on his third sherry. But you have one trick left up your sleeve: a gift that will last all year or, at least, a few months into…

Hogmanay 2012: Richard Wiseman on luck

The well-known psychologist is appearing as part of Edinburgh Hogmanay's Be Lucky events

Professor Richard Wiseman believes lucky people have lucky things happen to them. That’s right. Don’t put your coat on to leave, sceptics and scientists, please stay. He can explain himself. So, if you’re someone who thinks the number 13 is unlucky…

Hogmanay 2012: Glasgow and Edinburgh events round-up

A round up of the best New Year events outside of Edinburgh’s official Hogmanay celebrations

In Glasgow, there’s a whole programme of events on Hogmanay Day (George Square, 31 Dec), featuring kids’ storytelling, highland dancing and traditional/ceilidh music. There’ll also be a touch of trad at the Ashton Lane Street Party (31 Dec), courtesy of…

Scotland's castles offer some special festive events this Christmas

Pollok House and Kellie Castle are among the historic properties celebrating Christmas

Winter is a time when Scotland really comes to life, where our favourite stories are magically transformed on stages, perfected through music and dance; a time when our beautiful castles and stately homes are almost unrecognisable under dustings of…

Christmas activities in Edinburgh and Glasgow

A round up of the best markets, concerts, light displays and sports events across the festive period

When does the Christmas season start for you? Is it a week before the 25th December, when you frantically check websites to see who’s still offering last-minute gift deliveries? Or is it OK to start drinking mulled wine as soon as Hallowe’en decorations…

Scotland set to celebrate St Andrew's Day with events around the country

Music, dance and history events all celebrate Scottish heritage on and around 30 November

Winter in Scotland is all about getting cosy with the most delectable comfort foods and about having a good old knees-up to mark our most important cultural celebrations - St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night. Scotland’s Winter…

Comedian Susan Morrison gives a preview of Previously... Scotland’s History Festival

History is about people like you and me. Stumbling through life, trying not to muck up too much, and usually failing. And today, we all live with the effects of the choices people have made in the past. It’s gossip that’s fermented a little…

Bonfire and fireworks events in and around Edinburgh and Glasgow

A list of pyrotechnic displays near you this November 5th

In the capital, the traditional Meadowbank Fireworks Display returns, with pre-show entertainment from 6.30pm leading up to the fireworks from 7.30pm. George Watson’s Rugby Stadium hosts two Fireworks Extravaganzas – one starting at 4.15pm, one at…