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Edinburgh International Film Festival
The oldest continually running film festival in the world, the EIFF draws on its prestige to consistently present abundant programmes of new features, documentaries, retrospectives, shorts, panel discussions and educational workshops, with a few high profile premieres thrown in for good measure.
Edinburgh: various venues
Wed 19 Jun
Times & prices vary / 0131 228 4051
Thu 20 Jun
Times & prices vary / 0131 228 4051
Fri 21 Jun
Times & prices vary / 0131 228 4051
West End Festival
Taking over the West End of Glasgow each year, the festival treats the ears to a great musical line-up, tantalises all the senses with a carnival and delves into the creative depths of local studios and exhibitions with the Hidden Lane open days.
West End, Glasgow
Wed 19 Jun
Times & prices vary
Thu 20 Jun
Times & prices vary
Fri 21 Jun
Times & prices vary
Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival
Henderson's celebrates 50 years of their healthy veggie eats. In addition to barbecues, exhibitions, vegetarian speed dining, bonfires and live music, the 50-day fete hosts a couple of fancy dress food parties: 'Back to '63', with 60s inspired food and fashion, and 'Henderson's Goes to Hawaii', with – you guessed it…
Edinburgh: various venues
Wed 19 Jun
Times & prices vary / 0131 225 2131
Thu 20 Jun
Times & prices vary / 0131 225 2131
Fri 21 Jun
Times & prices vary / 0131 225 2131
The Dundee Blues Bonanza
A host of local and international blues artists play, and watching is completely free of charge.
Various venues, Dundee
Fri 28 Jun
Times vary / Free
Sat 29 Jun
Times vary / Free
Sun 30 Jun
Times vary / Free
Whitehaven Festival
A three day festival in the harbour of Whitehaven featuring live music from McFly, Bruce Foxton and Bay City Rollers, as well as street theatre, air shows, visiting ships, markets, celebrity chefs and fireworks – surely something for everyone.
Whitehaven Harbour
Fri 21 Jun
Times & prices vary
Sat 22 Jun
Times & prices vary
Sun 23 Jun
Times & prices vary
The Insider Festival
A small and intimate contender on the Scottish music festival scene. Set in the gardens and woodlands of Inshriach House by Aviemore, it brings together 300 Scottish musicians to offer something special to its 1000 guests.
Inshriach House, Aviemore
Fri 21 Jun
Times vary / £70–£100 / 07724 617487
Sat 22 Jun
Times vary / £70–£100 / 07724 617487
Sun 23 Jun
Times vary / £70–£100 / 07724 617487
Chingford Big Weekender
Formerly Chingford Day, now a Big Weekender, the two-day festival features Billy Ocean, Junior and Alexander O'Neal, plus there's a fun day for families on the Sunday.
Ridgeway Park, Chingford
Sat 10 Aug
Free
- 14:00 – 20:00
Sun 11 Aug
Free
- 13:00 – 18:00
Peebles Beltane Festival
Local legend, history and tradition combine for this annual festival celebrating summer. Services, discos and concerts are topped off with a Crowning Ceremony and Grand Procession to mark the beginning of summer.
Peebles, Peebleshire
Wed 19 Jun
Times vary / Free
Thu 20 Jun
Times vary / Free
Fri 21 Jun
Times vary / Free
Sat 22 Jun
Times vary / Free
The Royal Highland Show
Part agricultural show, part food festival, part family fun day out, with everything from motor, equine and craft programmes to food and drink and children's activities.
Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh
Thu 20 Jun
Times vary / £22 early bird; £25 on the gate (£18 early bird; £20 on the gate; Under 15s free) / 0131 335 6200
Fri 21 Jun
Times vary / £22 early bird; £25 on the gate (£18 early bird; £20 on the gate; Under 15s free) / 0131 335 6200
Sat 22 Jun
Times vary / £22 early bird; £25 on the gate (£18 early bird; £20 on the gate; Under 15s free) / 0131 335 6200
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Once Upon a Journey
The 2013 edition of the world’s leading storytelling festival traverses time and space with Travellers’ Tales. Join nomads, explorers, pilgrims and voyagers for ten days of traditional and contemporary storytelling with live storytelling performances, talks, workshops and discussions.
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
Fri 18 Oct
Times vary / £0–£15 / 0131 556 9579
Sat 19 Oct
Times vary / £0–£15 / 0131 556 9579
Sun 20 Oct
Times vary / £0–£15 / 0131 556 9579
Fringe by the Sea
With a spot of sea air and an entertaining line-up of music, comedy, theatre, film, authors and children’s events, North Berwick's multi-arts festival offers a respite from the madness of Edinburgh in festival season.
Various Venues, North Berwick
Mon 5 Aug
Times & prices vary / 01620 890787
Tue 6 Aug
Times & prices vary / 01620 890787
Wed 7 Aug
Times & prices vary / 01620 890787
The Wickerman Festival
One of Scotland’s best loved independent music and arts festivals, the centre-piece of which is the burning of a 40-foot Wickerman statue on the Saturday night after the headlining act on the main stage. The eclectic music programme is complemented by a fun fair, fire walking, and music and dance workshops, while the…
East Kirkcarswell Farm, Kirkcudbright
Fri 26 Jul
Times vary / £47.50 (early bird weekend ticket £45); Weekend £95–£100 (early bird weekend ticket £90)
Sat 27 Jul
Times vary / £47.50 (early bird weekend ticket £45); Weekend £95–£100 (early bird weekend ticket £90)
The Bruce Festival
Dunfermline, home to the story of Robert the Bruce as well as the legendary king's grave, hosts a weekend of historical activities and re-enactments with a strong family feel.
Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline
Sat 24 Aug
Times to be confirmed / Free / 01383 732226
Sun 25 Aug
Times to be confirmed / Free / 01383 732226
Plymouth Festival of Sail
The Plymouth Festival of Sail features yacht races, live music, armed forces displays, food markets and other events for all the family. The music headliner on the evening of Sat 29 June is none other than the original Cockney Rebel, Mr Steve Harley.
Various Venues, Plymouth
Wed 26 Jun
Times & prices vary / 01752 267222
Thu 27 Jun
Times & prices vary / 01752 267222
Fri 28 Jun
Times & prices vary / 01752 267222
Rumi Festival
Festival celebrating the life, work and influence of the poet and mystic Rumi, who in spite of being a 13th century Muslim is one of the most popular poets in America.
Chisholme House, Hawick
Fri 2 Aug
weekend pass £55–£75 / 01450 880215
- 18:00 – 23:59
Sat 3 Aug
24 hours / weekend pass £55–£75 / 01450 880215
Sun 4 Aug
24 hours / weekend pass £55–£75 / 01450 880215
Doune the Rabbit Hole
A boutique music festival that manages a lovely line-up of music, theatre, comedy and spoken word performances. Acts announced for 2013 include Clinic, Alasdair Roberts, Orkestra del Sol, July, The Pastels, PAWS, Rachel Sermanni, Robyn Hitchcock, Zun Zun Egui, Arbouretum, Meursault, Bombskare, Rozi Plain, John Langan…
Cardross Estate, by Port of Menteith
Thu 22 Aug
Times to be confirmed / £78 advance; £88 on the door (under 12s free)
Fri 23 Aug
Times to be confirmed / £78 advance; £88 on the door (under 12s free)
Sat 24 Aug
Times to be confirmed / £78 advance; £88 on the door (under 12s free)
Sun 25 Aug
Times to be confirmed / £78 advance; £88 on the door (under 12s free)
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
This unique event that draws crowds (and performers) from all over the world celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland with massed pipes and drums, massed military bands, display teams, dancers and the haunting lament of the Lone Piper set against the magnificent backcloth of Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh Castle
Fri 2 Aug
Times vary / £24–£58 / 0131 225 1188
Sat 3 Aug
Times vary / £24–£58 / 0131 225 1188
Sun 4 Aug
Times vary / £24–£58 / 0131 225 1188
Scottish Real Ale Festival
Celebrate the fizzy, yeasty world of brews with the festival's selection of over 150 Scottish real ales, which makes it the largest collection of native brews in the world. CAMRA's Champion Beer of Scotland prize is also judged and announced at the event.
Corn Exchange, Edinburgh
Thu 11 Jul
£5 for entry (members £4) / 0131 477 3500
- 12:00 – 23:00
Fri 12 Jul
£5 for entry (members £4) / 0131 477 3500
- 12:00 – 23:00
Sat 13 Jul
£5 for entry (members £4) / 0131 477 3500
- 12:00 – 23:00
Sun 14 Jul
£5 for entry (members £4) / 0131 477 3500
- 12:00 – 16:00
Solas Festival
An age-free arts festival with music, literature and spoken word, visual art and crafts, film and theatre as well as a programme of talks and debates. 2013 promises intimate venues, rising stars, unique collaborations, participation and mental stimulation.
The Bield, Tibbermore
Fri 21 Jun
Times vary / Day ticket £35; Weekend £90 / 0141 416 1650
Sat 22 Jun
Times vary / Day ticket £35; Weekend £90 / 0141 416 1650
Sun 23 Jun
Times vary / Day ticket £35; Weekend £90 / 0141 416 1650
Whisky Fringe
Held in the magnificent Mansfield Traquair, this is the much-anticipated annual event from Royal Mile Whiskies. In previous years, tickets for this celebration of the water of life, which features around 26 exhibitor stands and over 200 whiskies to sample each day, have sold out in under 20 minutes. But if you're lucky…
Mansfield Traquair, Edinburgh
Fri 9 Aug
£24 plus booking fee (includes free snifter glass) / 0131 5249380
Sat 10 Aug
£24 plus booking fee (includes free snifter glass) / 0131 5249380
Sun 11 Aug
£24 plus booking fee (includes free snifter glass) / 0131 5249380
Aberdeen International Youth Festival
Classical and chamber music, contemporary and traditional dance, jazz and theatre is on offer from a cast of rising international and local stars, with companies travelling from the USA, Russia, Middle East, Africa and Asia to perform.
Various venues, Aberdeen
Fri 26 Jul
Times & prices vary (free–£15) / 01224 213800
Sat 27 Jul
Times & prices vary (free–£15) / 01224 213800
Sun 28 Jul
Times & prices vary (free–£15) / 01224 213800
Islay Book Festival
An intimate and friendly festival that caters to Scotland's love of crime thrillers as well as introducing quirky and challenging books in a programme with something for all ages.
Port Ellen Primary School, Isle of Islay
Sat 7 Sep
Times vary / £4 (£2; Children free)
Sun 8 Sep
Times vary / £4 (£2; Children free)
Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival
A high quality artistic programme that brings Scottish and international musicians together in the unique location of Islay. The festival features a taste of Islay, so watch out for hand-dived scallops, crabs, chocolates, homebaking and of course, Lagavulin.
Various Venues, Isle Of Islay
Sat 14 Sep
Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 0845 111 0302
Sun 15 Sep
Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 0845 111 0302
Mon 16 Sep
Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 0845 111 0302
Rewind Scotland: The 80s Festival
Rewind goes large on nostalgia with the biggest line-up of 80s artists to perform together in Scotland. Saturday will be headlined by Ali Campbell's UB40 with support from Kim Wilde, Mike + The Mechanics, Starship, Rick Astley, Howard Jones, Soul II Soul, Heather Small, A Flock Of Seagulls, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Captain…
Scone Palace, Perth
Fri 26 Jul
Times & prices vary / 01738 552300
Sat 27 Jul
Times & prices vary / 01738 552300
Sun 28 Jul
Times & prices vary / 01738 552300
Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight
Annual celebration of Scotland's fantastic larder offering more than 200 events around the country. These range from cookery demonstrations to festivals, farmers' markets and tasting events.
Various venues, Scotland
Sat 7 Sep
Times & prices vary
Sun 8 Sep
Times & prices vary
Mon 9 Sep
Times & prices vary






