August, Festival

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.

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.

The picturesque seaside town plays host to an action-packed family-friendly festival. There's something for all ages and all tastes, from a beach day with a sandcastle competition for children and fun run for adults, to a food market and picnic day, as well as sports, magic shows, children's activities and live music over…

Scotland's only festival dedicated to drumming, with African beats echoing around the landscape of Glenisla. With the emphasis on friendly, relaxed fun, workshops are provided for all the family to learn how to sing, play and dance African style.

Annual festival of maritime heritage, including the star of the show, the Smokie Trail – around 70 stalls packed with fresh seafood along Arbroath harbour.

Traditional music and folk are the focusses of this festival, which offers ceilidhs, concerts, dances, competitions and workshops with a line-up of prestigious guests and local, up-and-coming talent. Informal sessions allow visitors and musicians of all abilities to join in, so bring along your instrument of choice.

Initiated in 1987 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession and to raise funds for the refurbishment of the Victoria and Albert Halls, Ballater's Victoria Week brings together numerous sections of the community to lay on a host of fun activities for all ages.

Jazz and blues music from some of the finest local and visiting musicians, taking over a host of venues around the coastal town.

Now in its tenth year, this favourite of the music festival scene is back with a carnival-themed birthday celebration. As well as the music expect a family-friendly atmosphere, theatre and spoken word events, ceilidhs, arts and crafts workshops and fancy dress. Line-up for 2013 includes Twin Atlantic, James, The Straits…

The most northerly music festival on mainland UK is one of the friendliest with a programme of activities for all ages, world class food suppliers and a bar stocked with care and attention.

One of Europe's oldest festivals, this annual eight day celebration features over 300 dancers, musicians, singers and craftsmen promoting their artistic work. In addition to the main concert programme there are street performances, dance and music workshops and a children's club.

The stationary meets the cyclical at this celebration of literature, thought and the outdoors in the Borders. Using the natural environment and the inspirational effects of the outdoors to stimulate debate, events include literary and woodland walks, storytelling cycle rides.

The first ever International Festival of Aviation: Film and Documentary – part of the World Festival of Flight 2013, inspired by a hundred years of aviation at Prestwick.

The Culross Festival has been bringing top UK and Scottish acts to the picturesque setting of Culross for over 20 years. The open-air lawn of Abbey House and the presence of catering facilities lend themselves to a late summer picnic, and previous festivals have included Eddi Reader, Ruby Turner and Capercaillie.

A wide range of guided walks to suit all abilities, from family-friendly, themed nature walks to strenuous hill-walking in the beautiful Galloway hills. All walks are led by both local experienced guides and East Ayrshire Countryside Rangers and include the likes of a night-time bat walk, pond-dipping and bird-spotting.

Scotland’s largest annual celebration of visual art offers work by the best contemporary Scottish artists as well as exhibitions of the most important international artists and movements of the 20th century and other historical periods. This year marks the 10th edition of the festival, which will include over 40…

The Edinburgh Book Fringe takes place in Word Power Books and brings together writers and activists from around the world for a host of daily events of readings and discussions, all of which are free.

The largest arts festival in the world and the greatest show on earth. Every year thousands of performers take to a multitude of stages all over Edinburgh to present shows for every taste. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festival caters for everyone and…

The world’s largest public celebration of the written word takes place in the first UNESCO City of Literature in the beautiful Charlotte Square Gardens. As well as leading Scottish and international authors, the varied programme always manages to cover poets, politicians, historians, journalists and children's authors…