Talks & lectures, 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 Festival.

This instalment brings members of the New York House & Ballroom community to Glasgow, along with queer theorists, performance artists, archivists, theologians and filmmakers, to explore Voguing, drag, clubbing, and the politics of race, class and gender.

A unique education festival developed and promoted by the sector agency College Development Network, aimed at challenging, provoking and generating ideas about how education could be. Launched this year by Mel Young, President of The Homeless World Cup, there will be virtual games, philosophy cafés, a night of dangerous…

Walking festival that takes place amid the natural splendour of the Cowal peninsula with walks focussing on heritage, wildlife or just a good work-out. As well as an extensive range of guided walks for all ages and abilities, there are also drama workshops for children, horse riding, orienteering, exhibitions, art…

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.

Luminate, a new kid on the festival block, celebrates our creative lives as we age by offering a wide range of inspirational arts activities with and for older people, as well as events for audiences and participants across the generations.

This annual week-long festival of arts and cultural events and activities celebrates the contribution of refugees to our communities and promotes better understanding of why people seek sanctuary.

A free, local literature festival run by West Dunbartonshire Libraries that nevertheless manages to book some big name authors for its programme of talks, signings and more unusual events. This 11th edition sees Alasdair Gray, William McIlvanney and Allan Massie join non-fiction writers Margaret Evison, Tom Devine and DA…

The UK's longest continuous running mountain film festival (now in its 31st year) showcases an international programme of films by local film makers, presentations and book signings by world renowned mountaineers, adventurers and expedition leaders, and art and photography exhibitions.

This diverse and peace-promoting festival joins Edinburgh's cultural line-up in August with a generous programme of over 400 activities ranging from top-quality speakers and conversations to performances, film, food, exhibitions, family activities, workshops and art.

Rock, indie and electro festival with headliners Basement Jaxx, Primal Scream and The Charlatans, plus Public Enemy, I Am Kloot, Mystery Jets, Lightning Seeds, Seasick Steve, British Sea Power, Johnny Marr and many more. The festival also features The Academy in association with the University of Cumbria – a series of…

The vibrant community of Leith shows off its festival skills with a fun-packed programme of events. Among the line-up of exhibitions, concerts, walks, talks and films is the anticipated Leith Festival Gala Day on Leith Links.

Bringing together the world's best movement and physical theatre artists to Liverpool, this eight day programme of events, workshops, classes and performances aims to make the city a hub for physical theatre.

Previously brings Scotland's history to life in a packed programme of talks, walks, tours, teas, activities, debates, exhibitions, theatre, comedy, art, photography, family history, film, open days and much, much more that will appeal to all ages. 2013 begins with a day devoted to Robert Louis Stevenson.

Amidst the cornucopia of arts events in Edinburgh in August, this festival billing itself as the European SXSW focuses on technology and can be relied upon for some appearances by big names from the digital community.