Traditional & heritage, Festival

39 events

Sorted by popularity / date & time

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

Fri 24 May

Times & prices vary / 01292 616143

  • 12:00 – 17:30

Sat 25 May

Times & prices vary / 01292 616143

Sun 26 May

Times & prices vary / 01292 616143

…and 14 more dates until 30 Aug

Haddington Festival

A local festival with a range of activities and musical concerts, exhibitions, craft fairs and a daily café and sporting competitions.

Haddington

Thu 23 May

Times & prices vary / 01620 824816

Fri 24 May

Times & prices vary / 01620 824816

Sat 25 May

Times & prices vary / 01620 824816

…and 8 more dates until 2 Jun

Mauchline Holy Fair

A recreation of an 18th Century street festival in the tradition of the fairs held in Robert Burns’ time featuring over 70 market stalls and living history re-enactments.

Mauchline Town Centre

Sat 25 May

Times vary / Free / 01290 559304

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

…and 20 more dates until 24 Aug

ScotFest

A one-day celebration of homeland food and drink, craft, design and live music. You can nibble your way around the food fair, with samples of regional produce from Galloway Fudge to Arbroath Smokies. The craft fair sells a range of products from handmade cards to woodcarvings, while there's live music throughout the day.

Cochrane Park, Alva

Sat 14 Sep

Times & prices to be confirmed / 01259 215111

Sat 13 Sep

Prices to be confirmed / 01259 215111

  • 10:30 – 16:30
back to top

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

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

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

Royal National Mod

A Scottish classic, raising a toast to Gaelic language and culture in all its forms. Competitions, concerts, shinty, dancing and more, courtesy of An Comunn Gàidhealach (The Highland Association).

Various Venues, Paisley

Fri 11 Oct

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 01463 709705

Sat 12 Oct

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 01463 709705

Sun 13 Oct

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 01463 709705

…and 6 more dates until 19 Oct

A Bardic Journey

Do more than listen to the stories of the bards – go on a meandering, story-filled journey of your own. Leave from Edinburgh and reach Glendale two days later, followed by a day of walks, talks and a ceilidh on Skye. Then, head back south, your lute skills now perfected (note: lute lessons not included). Led by George…

Various venues, Scotland

Thu 20 Jun

Times vary / £295 (incl transport, accommodation and events)

back to top

Cowalfest

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…

Cowal Peninsula

Fri 4 Oct

Times & prices vary; most walks free / 01369 703785

Sat 5 Oct

Times & prices vary; most walks free / 01369 703785

Sun 6 Oct

Times & prices vary; most walks free / 01369 703785

…and 7 more dates until 13 Oct

Doors Open Days

Every September throughout Scotland hundreds of sites are unlocked for Doors Open Days, from privately owned castles to factories and from ultra-modern homes to historic lighthouses and all for free.

Various venues, Scotland

Sun 1 Sep

Times vary / Free / 0141 221 1466

Mon 2 Sep

Times vary / Free / 0141 221 1466

Tue 3 Sep

Times vary / Free / 0141 221 1466

…and 26 more dates until 29 Sep

The Enchanted Forest

A stunning sound and light show that tranforms Faskally Wood using dazzling visuals and innovative design set against an original music score.

Faskally Wood, Pitlochry

Fri 4 Oct

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed

Sat 5 Oct

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed

Sun 6 Oct

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed

…and 20 more dates until 26 Oct

FyneFest

Beer is the star at Fyne Ales brewery with over 100 different beers from the UK’s best breweries available over the weekend, accompanied by an equally tempting music programme and food from a range of local producers (local as in venison burgers from the estate and fresh oysters collected from the loch). This year's…

Fyne Ales, Cairndow

Fri 14 Jun

Times vary / £20–£30 / 01499 600120

Sat 15 Jun

Times vary / £20–£30 / 01499 600120

Sun 16 Jun

Times vary / £20–£30 / 01499 600120

Sail and Oar Festival on Cumbrae

Not just for budding sailors, the Sail and Oar Festival offers a number of participatory water activities, Millport's skiff racing championship plus music, crafts and children's events.

Town Centre, Isle of Cumbrae

Fri 9 Aug

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed

Sat 10 Aug

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed

Sun 11 Aug

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed

back to top

Auchtermuchty Festival

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.

Auchtermuchty

Fri 9 Aug

Times vary / £0–£10 / 01337 860482

Sat 10 Aug

Times vary / £0–£10 / 01337 860482

Sun 11 Aug

Times vary / £0–£10 / 01337 860482

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

…and 5 more dates until 29 Jun 2014

Traquair Fair

The annual family fair promises a full range of music, dance, crafts, theatre and non-stop entertainment for all.

Traquair House, Innerleithen

Sat 27 Jul

£19–£21 (£13–£15; Family £46–£48; under 5s free) / 01896 830323

  • 11:00 – 18:00

Sun 28 Jul

£19–£21 (£13–£15; Family £46–£48; under 5s free) / 01896 830323

  • 11:00 – 18:00

Unsolved Festival

Haddo House, with its creaking floorboards and spooky nooks and crannies, plays host to the Unsolved Festival. Wannabe detectives, budding crime writers, CSI aficionados and those who just like a good old fashioned mystery can enjoy writer talks, films and storytelling events.

Haddo House, Ellon

Fri 18 Oct

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 0844 493 2179

Sat 19 Oct

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 0844 493 2179

Sun 20 Oct

Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 0844 493 2179

Ballater Victoria Week

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.

Various Venues, Ballater

Sat 3 Aug

Times & prices vary

Sun 4 Aug

Times & prices vary

Mon 5 Aug

Times & prices vary

…and 6 more dates until 11 Aug back to top

Crieff & Strathearn Drovers' Tryst

Annual celebration of the life, work and play of the people who made Crieff the cattle-droving crossroads of Scotland in the 1700s. The modern day Tryst is a week-long festival in October run by volunteers and built around a programme of guided walks and evening social events.

Various venues

Sat 12 Oct

Times & prices vary / 01764 652578

Sun 13 Oct

Times & prices vary / 01764 652578

Mon 14 Oct

Times & prices vary / 01764 652578

…and 5 more dates until 19 Oct

Culross Festival

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.

Various venues, Culross

Thu 15 Aug

Times & prices vary / 07974 691366

Fri 16 Aug

Times & prices vary / 07974 691366

Sat 17 Aug

Times & prices vary / 07974 691366

Sun 18 Aug

Times & prices vary / 07974 691366

The Haar Festival

Heritage Arts Auchmithie Residents festival is a celebration of life in the Village of Auchmithie at the end of the 19th century with re-enactments, a flower festival and a tea room with home baking. The day ends with a traditional fisher wedding.

Auchmithie

Sat 31 Aug

Times vary / Free

Harris Arts Festival

This festival displays the Hebrides' passion and aptitide for luring arts fans to idyllic locations and rewarding them with a showcase of professional performances and local artistry. Now in its 21st year, the festival is the highlight of a summer-long programme of events, illustrated talks, concerts and workshops.

Various Venues, Hebrides

Thu 1 Aug

Times & prices vary (£3–£12) / 01859 520746

Fri 2 Aug

Times & prices vary (£3–£12) / 01859 520746

Sat 3 Aug

Times & prices vary (£3–£12) / 01859 520746

…and 14 more dates until 17 Aug

Largs Viking Festival

On the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Largs meet King Alexander of Scotland and King Haakon of Norway with living history installations in two educational villages. Following craft demonstrations, a farmers' market and aerobatic displays, the festival culminates with a re-enactment of the Battle of Largs, the burning…

The Promenade, Largs

Sat 31 Aug

Times vary / £2–£10 / 01475 676182

Sun 1 Sep

Times vary / £2–£10 / 01475 676182

Mon 2 Sep

Times vary / £2–£10 / 01475 676182

…and 6 more dates until 8 Sep back to top