Activities | Events

Burns an' a' That! Festival

A whole festival dedicated to Scotland’s internationally acclaimed poet Robert Burns. To celebrate the 2013 Year of Natural Scotland, the festival heads outdoors to Belleisle Park for a programme of live music, and visual and performing arts.

Belleisle Park, Ayr

Sun 26 May

Times & prices vary / 01292 616143

Fri 31 May

Prices vary / 01292 616143

12:00 – 17:30

Fri 7 Jun

Prices vary / 01292 616143

12:00 – 17:30

…and 12 more dates until 30 Aug

Southside Fringe

A 16-day festival incorporating music, theatre and activities for all the family.

Southside, Glasgow

Sun 26 May

Times & prices vary

The Scottish Game Fair

This fair entertains all the family with a variety of displays including falconry and terrier racing in the main ring, clay pigeon shooting and gundog and fishing competitions on the banks of the River Tay.

Scone Palace, Perth

Fri 5 Jul

£18 (Children £5; Family £38) / 01738 554826

09:30 – 18:00

Sat 6 Jul

£18 (Children £5; Family £38) / 01738 554826

09:30 – 18:00

Sun 7 Jul

£18 (Children £5; Family £38) / 01738 554826

09:30 – 18:00

Volksfling

Volkswagen aficionados unite! These weekend events bring together lovers of the German automobiles with quality traders, along with a roster of entertainment for grown-ups and children, from a beer garden to live music. Camping facilities available.

Biggar Showfield

Sun 26 May

£20–£25 for weekend pass

14:00 – 00:00

Fri 30 Aug

£20–£25 for weekend pass

14:00 – 00:00

Sat 31 Aug

£20–£25 for weekend pass

14:00 – 00:00

Sun 1 Sep

£20–£25 for weekend pass

14:00 – 00:00

River of Light Lantern Making Workshops

Make your very own lantern to carry in the River of Light parade on Dec 19.

Caerphilly Leisure Centre

Sat 30 Nov

Free / 02920 851845

10:00 – 17:00

Sun 1 Dec

Free / 02920 851845

10:00 – 17:00

Sat 7 Dec

Free / 02920 851845

10:00 – 17:00

…and 3 more dates until 15 Dec back to top

Silver Boxes for Tiny Trinkets

Make a wee silver trinket box and decorate it with embossed silver and coloured stones.

Museum of Edinburgh

Sat 31 Aug

Free / 0131 529 4143

10:30 – 12:30

Jack and Jill Market

An opportunity for mums and dads to buy and sell nearly-new baby and kids' (ages 0–9) items of good quality. Book a stall to sell or turn up on the day to grab a bargain.

West Lothian College, Livingston

Sun 26 May

£1 / 07794 240065

10:30 – 13:30
10:30 – 13:30

Dunnet Head to Brough Guided Walk

A walk on the wild side along Britain's most northerly coastline. Booking is essential.

Dunnet Head Lighthouse, Caithness

Sun 26 May

£3 (£2) / 01847 821531

Part of Scotland's Nature Festival.

11:00 – 14:00

Toddler Time

Take the wee ones along for songs, stories and fun with a different theme inspired by the museum each week. Suitable for under fives.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow

Fri 31 May

Free / 0141 276 9599

11:30 – 12:00

Fri 7 Jun

Free / 0141 276 9599

11:30 – 12:00

Fri 14 Jun

Free / 0141 276 9599

11:30 – 12:00

…and 2 more dates until 28 Jun

Against the Dark

Regular role-playing night.

Pulp Fiction Café Bookstore, Edinburgh

Sun 26 May

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 229 4444

14:00 – 17:00

Sun 2 Jun

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 229 4444

14:00 – 17:00

Sun 9 Jun

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 229 4444

14:00 – 17:00

…and 3 more dates until 30 Jun back to top

Fun & Games in the Square

All sort of outdoor larks.

Falcon Square, Inverness

Sun 26 May

Free

Part of Happyness.

11:00 – 17:00

Glasgow Show

Glasgow's oldest park plays host to attractions from around the world, extreme sports, a live music stage, street theatre, countryside activities and all manner of fun for kids.

Glasgow Green

Sat 20 Jul

Times & prices to be confirmed

Sun 21 Jul

Times & prices to be confirmed

Baby Loves Disco

Baby Loves Disco is a chance for kids aged six months–seven years (and their parents) to get their respective grooves on, alongside the chance to sample the delights of bubble machines, instruments and a Gymboree chillout zone, with face-painting and healthy snacks included.

Audio, Brighton

Mon 27 May

£8 / 08444 999990

Part of Brighton Fringe Festival.

12:00 – 14:00
15:00 – 17:00

Electric Circus, Edinburgh

Sun 26 May

£8 / 08444 999990

14:00 – 17:00

Sun 30 Jun

£8 / 08444 999990

14:00 – 17:00

Sun 28 Jul

£8 / 08444 999990

14:00 – 17:00

…and 5 more dates until 29 Dec

Mansion House, Glasgow

Sun 2 Jun

£8 / 08444 999990

14:00 – 17:00

Sun 7 Jul

£8 / 08444 999990

14:00 – 17:00

Sun 4 Aug

£8 / 08444 999990

14:00 – 17:00

…and 4 more dates until 1 Dec

Also on at:

Sway, London WC2B

Peregrine Breakfast

Peregrine watching with breakfast for early birds.

Falls Of Clyde Nature Reserve, New Lanark

Sun 26 May

£5 (Children £3) / 01555 665262

Part of Scotland's Nature Festival.

05:00 – 08:00

Camp Fitness Run Club!

Fun, friendly running group that's nonetheless serious about getting fit. Led by a qualified jog leader, all levels welcome.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Tue 28 May

£4 (first session free) / 07583 732708

Meet outside the Botanic Gardens main gates on Tuesdays.

18:30 – 19:30

Tue 4 Jun

£4 (first session free) / 07583 732708

Meet outside the Botanic Gardens main gates on Tuesdays.

18:30 – 19:30

Tue 11 Jun

£4 (first session free) / 07583 732708

Meet outside the Botanic Gardens main gates on Tuesdays.

18:30 – 19:30

…and 9 more dates until 13 Aug back to top

French Conversation with Yakety Yak Language Cafe

Improve your French conversation in a small group with an experienced tutor.

Le Marché Français, Edinburgh

Thu 30 May

£7 / 07826 555 134

10:00 – 11:00

Thu 6 Jun

£7 / 07826 555 134

10:00 – 11:00

Thu 13 Jun

£7 / 07826 555 134

10:00 – 11:00

…and 2 more dates until 27 Jun

Portsoy Music Festival: The Fourth Haal

A three day festival which captures the varied music traditions of the north of Scotland, so there's everything from bothy ballads to Burns as well as Celtic, folk, Americana and Irish influenced music. There is also a range of sessions, workshops and storytelling from local performers and musicians.

The Salmon Bothy, Banff

Sun 26 May

Times & prices vary / 01261 842951

Theatre Tour

See the Playhouse from the other side of the curtain.

The Edinburgh Playhouse

Sat 1 Jun

£12.50 / 0844 871 3014

10:30

Sat 8 Jun

£12.50 / 0844 871 3014

10:30

Sat 15 Jun

£12.50 / 0844 871 3014

10:30

…and 3 more dates until 14 Sep

Cumnock Music Festival

This year marks ten years of this local multi-arts festival. Mixing music, art, comedy, poetry and a popular carnival, the bill includes Les Mc Ewan's Legendary Bay City Rollers, Talon: The Best of the Eagles, And Finally … Phil Collins and Koda.

Various venues, Cumnock

Mon 10 Jun

Times & prices vary / 01563 554900

Tue 11 Jun

Times & prices vary / 01563 554900

Wed 12 Jun

Times & prices vary / 01563 554900

…and 3 more dates until 15 Jun

First Annual Mozarmy Meet 2013

Fans of Morrissey and the Smiths can get together and revel in their mutual adoration at the first annual Mozarmy meet-up. Terry Christian and guest DJs play tracks from the back catalogue and there's appearances from Craig Gannon, Jonny Bridgwood and Andrew Paresi. Booking is essential.

Star & Garter, Manchester

Sun 26 May

£12 / 0161 273 6726

20:00 – 04:00

back to top

Pollok Family Day

A chance for the whole family to enjoy entertainment and activities to get closer to nature.

Pollok Country Park, Glasgow

Sat 3 Aug

Free / 0141 276 0924

10:00 – 17:00

The Power Cut Choir

Alternative community choir, with a repertoire ranging from Ivor Cutler to Judas Priest via Sleater-Kinney and Talking Heads, gives open rehearsals. All welcome, no audition necessary.

The Roxy 171, Glasgow

Tue 28 May

£3 / 0141 331 1901

19:00 – 21:00

Scotland's Gardens Open Day

A chance to take in the different gardens across the country on a special opening day, with activities and special events for visitors.

Brodick Castle & Country Park, Isle Of Arran

Sun 7 Jul

£5.50 (£4.50; Family £15) / 0844 493 2152

10:00 – 16:30

Broughton House & Garden, Kirkcudbright

Thu 13 Jun

£4 / 0844 493 2246

For further information please call 0844 4932246.

18:00 – 21:00

Canna, Isle of Canna

Wed 14 Aug

£3 / 0844 493 2244

10:30 – 16:00

Also on at:

…and at 3 other places

Afternoon Tea on the 14.05 Steam Train

Enjoy traditional afternoon tea on the 14.05 steam train from Bo’ness to Manuel. Tuck into sandwiches, cake and scones, washed down with tea or coffee.