Year of Creative Scotland

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…

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…

Programmes, events and initiatives for Scots young and old, as part of the Year of Creative Scotland

The Year of Creative Scotland First in a Lifetime funding programme touches the lives of the young and old across the country. In Aberdeen, Citymoves' Dance-a-maz’in, an interactive dance maze, will afford young people and their families an exciting…

Spotlight on . . . Wigtown Book Festival

The festival takes place in Scotland’s National Book Town every autumn

Not only is Wigtown Scotland’s National Book Town, it was also awarded a Creative Places Award for most creative small town as part of the Year of Creative Scotland 2012 - and Wigtown Book Festival takes its place as the jewel in the crown. Inspired…

A look at some of the best book events in Scotland during autumn 2012

Scotland boasts a bounty of places to visit where you can discover the country’s literary scene, from monuments dedicated to our great authors and poets to the seeds of inspiration being sowed today. You could spend a whole day in Edinburgh and not…

Unearth Glasgow's architectural secrets in autumn 2012 with The Glasgow School of Art

Learn more about Glasgow's Father of Style Charles Rennie Mackintosh through inspiring tours

You might think you know all there is to know about Glasgow’s Father of Style, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, but the launch of The Glasgow School of Art’s intriguing new walking tour based around the architect, artist and designer as well as a festival…

Lammermuir Festival 2012 highlights include magnificent spectacle at Tantallon Castle

East Lothian will come alive with the sound of music this September

Lammermuir Festival promotes ‘Beautiful Music in Beautiful Places ’where classical music can be heard in striking and often unexpected places. As part of the Year of Creative Scotland, a unique and spectacular light and music performance will bring…

Explore Scotland's stunning architectural heritage

Castles and iron homesteads just some of Scotland's architectural gems

From castles to UNESCO World Heritage sites, churches and cathedrals to eco-friendly design, Scotland boasts some prolific architectural credentials. For an in-depth education, Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture The Lighthousein Glasgow is…

Trad on the Tyne 31 Aug - 2 Sept features Daimh, Siobhan Miller and Wendy Stewart

2012 Trad on the Tyne will Steele the Show on the small festival circuit

Recently shortlisted for the Scottish Event Awards - BestSmall Festival, Trad on the Tyne (31 August - 2 September 2012) is a festival of music and plenty more! A festival feast in more ways than one; the programme includes last year’s Celtic…

Unearth a host of artistic gems at the North Light Dunbar Festival this August 2012

Escape the Fringe for a day out and discover the delights of Dunbar

As part of Year of Creative Scotland 2012, northlight is shining a spotlight on the heritage, creativity and the continuing inspiration of Dunbar, a beautiful and unique location. From now until the 31st August, northlight invites you to the…

Dare Protoplay showcases groundbreaking digital developments

Public can play and vote for BAFTA-nominated inventions at Scotland's digital festival

Original, innovative, creative and ground-breaking - four words which describe the digital games prototypes showcased at Dare Protoplay, the result of nine weeks of intense mentoring and development. But the really exciting part for you is that you get…

The science of creation: Scotland's sightseeing spoils

Dolly the Sheep, Falkirk Wheel and Forth Rail Bridge amongst the highlights

The word ‘creative’ doesn’t often conjure up a vision of science and technology, but Scotland has long been renowned for innovative ideas and what better year to shout about it than in the Year of Creative Scotland. Who created the world’s first…

Glasgow packs a punch with two piping hot cultural events

Piping Live! and World Pipe Band Championships coming in August 2012

Live Piping! Glasgow once again welcomes new and established artists from over ten countries to perform at 150 events across the city, including the John McSherry Band, Breabach and Rura. Look forward to master classes, ceilidhs, concerts…

A royal Tattoo will mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in August 2012

The programme includes music, Dennis the Menace, and Brave-inspired medley

Musicians from Switzerland, Norway and Australia, as well as some unexpected guests, will be among the sparkling line-up at this summer’s 62nd Tattoo, which will welcome a fusion of well-loved traditional elements and exciting new contributions. As…

Aberdeen International Youth Festival 2012 takes to the streets 1-11th August

Sculpture and street dance to feature in port-themed parade

Aberdeen will come alive with colour as a several-hundred strong parade marches through the town’s streets on 4 August in celebration of the festival’s 40th anniversary. The parade takes on the theme of Aberdeen’s port which has been a vital gateway…

Fringe by the Sea 2012: Five ingredients for the ultimate seaside experience

North Berwick will host Kate Rusby, Neil Innes and more on 6–12 August

Take a break from the buzz of the city and join in the thrill of the seaside. For the 5th year running, Fringe nge by the Sea returns ns with an eclectic mix of music, comedy, theatre, film, authors- in-conversation and, of course, the…

Piping Live! 2012 warms up with tour around Scotland

Pit stops for the pipers include Eilean Donan and Culzean Castle

To celebrate The Year of Creative Scotland 2012, Piping Live! Festival On Tour will bring piping to new audiences and locations across Scotland. The tour, which runs from 31 Jul to 4 Aug, will offer the opportunity to enjoy the best of Scotland’s…

Grand days out Summer 2012: Find fabulous festivals, captivating coastlines and intriguing islets

Highlights of Aberdour Festival and Pittenweem Arts Festival

From the enchanting myths and legends of the western isles to the alluring festivals of the east coast, inspiration abounds along Scotland’s coastline and you don’t have to go far from the city to find yourself amid inspiring surroundings that will…

Outdoor theatre and visual art parks among the great summer activities in the Year of Creative Scotland

Our natural landscape has inspired creativity for generations, and there’s no better place to experience our incredible cultural offering this summer than outdoors. Find out all that this special year has to offer at…

Inside Out Festival

Experience the thrill of outdoor theatre in St Andrews

As a Creative Places award winner, St Andrews reaches for the sky this summer with an exciting event programme that knows no boundaries. Far from the limits of the theatres’ four walls, Inside Out Festival champions outdoor theatre and performance…

Outdoor arts programme Roofless to engage with communities across Scotland

Transformers-style musical robots in Shetland. Robert Burns-inspired installations and a gigantic toppling sculpture in Ayrshire; a four-part dance cycle inspired by myth in Dumfries and Galloway, a huge outdoor theatre takeover of Falkirk’s new…

Gustavo Dudamel and The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela to play at The Big Concert

There’s a reason it’s called The Big Concert. On 21 June, this midsummer night promises to be a musical spectacular when the incredible Gustavo Dudamel will take to the stage against the dramatic backdrop of Stirling Castle, joined by The Simón…

Exciting June activities as part of the Year of Creative Scotland

Including goNORTH, the Spring Fling and festivals in Leith and East Neuk

In the run-up to one of the most action-packed summers in the UK, June welcomes a fantastic fusion of sport and culture in the Year of Creative Scotland. This month will bring together some of the most exciting new initiatives in 2012 with Scotland’s…

Emeli Sande, Eliza Doolittle and General Fiasco to celebrate the Olympic Torch's passage through Scotland

Scotland will burst into song as the Olympic Flame weaves its way across Scotland from 8–14 June, before reappearing on 21 June. Your community will be alive with the sound of song as a fusion of local favourites, new commissions, anthems, pop songs…

Northern Lights: A film about Scotland made by you

Scots nationwide invited to contribute to country's first mass-input film project

How would you like to see your work as part of a unique and exciting feature-length documentary film? Got a camera and something you’re eager to share? Then you’re all set to get involved and be in with a chance of winning one of many awards from the…