Traditional & heritage, Festival

The largest history and re-enactment festival in Scotland features more than 500 costumed specialists from across Europe to recreate 2000+ years of history from the Picts and Celts and Romans to WW1 and WW2.

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…

This year the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival explores the question of identity, looking at the multifaceted identities British Arabs carry in their daily lives, told through music, theatre, art, film, food and drink, dance and family activities.

Traditional and contemporary events including a Festival of Light and the Crowning of the Marymass Queen. This historic event dates back to the 17th century and celebrates history, tradition and heritage.

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.

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.

Hosted by Beltane Fire Society, the Samhuinn Fire Festival celebrates the Celtic New Year, marking the end of summer and welcoming the onset of winter. It takes the form of a stunning torchlit procession down the Royal Mile, with acrobatics, fireworks, beautiful costumes and breathtaking performances, all set to the…

As traditional boats congregate in the historic harbour, the seaside town of Portsoy celebrates with a festival of music, dance and traditional crafts and art. This year the festival takes on the theme of Natural Scotland and includes folk performances from Archie Fisher, MOT and Kimber's Men.

A mixed arts festival held during the month of September in the town of Ayr, as the name suggests. Events run the gamut from piano recitals to rock bands, ghost story nights to local history evenings, and attract local and big named acts suitable for adults and children.

With a strong local community focus, this festival offers a range of spectator and participatory events, with history walks and a camera museum ranking as two of the most popular among a programme of concerts, workshops, visual arts displays and literary events.

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

A celebration of the rich woodland culture and ancient Hallowe'en rites of the Borders in a variety of locations around the beautiful Tweed Valley.

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.