Days out, Lauren Mayberry

Neighbourhood Watch: Byres Road, Glasgow

A rough guide to the trendiest road in the West

What’s it like? One big road with many little offshoots to appeal to the culture vulture in you. Where’s it, like? Off Great Western road if you hang a left at the Botanic Gardens, and just up from Partick. Take the tube to Hillhead station (soon…

Neighbourhood Watch: Stockbridge, Edinburgh

A guide to the village-like Edinburgh suburb

What’s it like? Architecturally lovely and quite picturesque, the area is still pretty bohemian despite the influx of more affluent shops in recent years. Where’s it, like? To the north of the city, between the New Town and Inverleith. It’s about…

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…

Edinburgh International Science Festival 2012 - highlights

Derren Brown and giant eyes among the top events at this year's EISF

Illusions, experiments, fire-walking and food are just some of the treats in store at this year’s Edinburgh International Science Festival. With events in more venues than ever before, 2012’s programme welcomes scientists, comedians, psychologists…

Glasgow Film Festival highlights

A selection of the best events at GFF 2012

Music We’re excited about DIY promoter Cry Parrot’s event with soundtrack dark lord Umberto who will provide the music for a secret film of his choice (SWG3, 25 Feb, 8pm). Douglas Hart, founding member of The Jesus and Mary Chain, has made videos for…

Previously . . . Scotland's History Festival - interview with Susan Morrison

The comedian tells us why Scotland's past is worth examining

Susan Morrison is a familiar face to most of us because of her regular appearances at The Stand and countless comedy festivals. The funny femme’s latest venture, however, shelves comedy in favour of history, as she prepares to launch Previously...

Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival

Annual arts festival returns for biggest year yet

Unless you’ve been gently nestled under some rock for the past several years, you will probably be aware of the annual autumnal arts treat that is the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (SMHAFF). This year’s brochure boasts almost 300 events…

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…

Merchant City Festival 2012

5 day fest of dance, music and theatre to bring Glasgow streets to life

Interactive performance company Mischief La-Bas present a premier of their latest work, The Zoo (Ingram Street Car Park, 28 & 29 July), fusing science with art. The performance follows Professor Hildeberg and his famous hibernating Antarctic Zoo…

Refugee Week 2012 highlights

Programme of awareness-raising events features King Creosote and Glasgow Girls: The Musical

Scotland’s favourite Fence Records chap and former Mercury Award nominee King Creosote will kick off seven days of events to promote understanding of the experiences of refugees living in Scotland. The gig, which takes place at the Old Fruitmarket on…

The ancient tradition behind the Beltane Fire Festival

The annual ceremony takes place on Edinburgh's Calton Hill

Fire, processions and rituals – all sounds a bit Wicker Man, right? Beltane Fire Festival, however, is not remotely cult-related and Christopher Lee (nor Nicolas Cage, ahem) will not be anywhere in sight at this annual celebration of changing seasons…

International Women's Day 2012 events

Round-up of talks, exhibitions and events surrounding Thursday 8 March

In Glasgow, Scottish Women’s Aid will be running an all-day seminar to discuss perceptions of domestic abuse (Thu 8 Mar, Wolfson Medical Building, University of Glasgow, 9.30am). Talk of the Steamie, a new series of talks at the People’s Palace, are…

Neighbourhood Watch: Hyndland, Glasgow

Tips for hot spots in the plushest part of the West End

What’s it like? That nice bit between the ‘proper’ West End and Anniesland, with lots of cute coffee shops, restaurants and lovely flats. Think ornate doorways, stained glass and well-pruned window baskets, going for much more than your average…

Burns Night 2012: Glasgow and Edinburgh highlights

Edinburgh gets its bard celebrations off to an impressive (and prompt) start with Burnsfest at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in association with Scotland’s Winter Festivals (17–28 Jan, times vary). From a ceilidh in the café to performances of the…

Neighbourhood Watch: Great Western Road, Glasgow

Including The Captain's Rest, The Belle and Lupe Pintos

What’s it like? One big road full of pubs, cafés and little shops. Flats are mostly old tenements above the bars, restaurants and stores which go up most of the road. Where’s it, like? In the West End, a stone’s throw from Woodlands and Byres Road.

Events for St Andrew's Day 2011

Live music, ceilidhs, free and discounted entry to nation’s key landmarks

Visit for free As part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals, the weekend before St Andrew’s Day will be enhanced with money-off deals for some of the nation’s key landmarks. You can get cheap or free entry to Glasgow Science Centre (check out the…

Christmas 2011 events in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Our round-up of some of the best festive fodder including markets, fairs and carol concerts

Shopping To find prezzies with an individual feel or just some tasty treats, head out to a Christmas fair near you. In Glasgow, there’s the St Enoch Square annual market (from 20 Nov) and Country Living Magazine’s Christmas Fair, with homemade food…

Bonfire Night: Fireworks displays in Edinburgh and Glasgow 2011

A roundup of the best Guy Fawkes events in the central belt

Tired of having disappointing bonfire nights because you didn’t know what field in your area would be hosting the ultimate firecracker show? Well, fret no more, List reader – we have done some recon in your local area to find out where best to light…

Glasgow Science Centre takes a Detour

Ally McRae and David Weaver organise a special event with Remember Remember, Meursault and more

Ever think that science wasn’t cool (despite the well-mannered, be-jumpered protestations of Brian Cox)? Well, Detour Scotland beg to differ. The video makers/radio pesterers/off the wall gig organisers, set up by Radio 1’s Ally McCrae and long-term…

Neighbourhood Watch: Tollcross, Edinburgh

A rough guide to the West End/Southside neighbourhood

What’s it like? Nice and old. Flats are mostly Victorian tenements, with Napier University setting some students loose in three halls of residence in the area. Aside from the youths, there are plenty of places to get sweet eats, indie shops and good…

Pride Scotia's Edinburgh events gearing up to take place a month early

Pride Scotia is returning to Auld Reekie in May, a month earlier than we usually see it. But, you ask, is Pride still relevant? Well, yes. And we’re not just saying that because we watched that Scott Mills documentary on gay rights in Uganda on iPlayer…