Traditional & heritage, Festival
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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
Sun 26 May
Times & prices vary / 01292 616143
Fri 31 May
Prices vary / 01292 616143
- 12:00 – 17:30
Fri 7 Jun
Prices vary / 01292 616143
- 12:00 – 17:30
Haddington Festival
A local festival with a range of activities and musical concerts, exhibitions, craft fairs and a daily café and sporting competitions.
Haddington
Sun 26 May
Times & prices vary / 01620 824816
Mon 27 May
Times & prices vary / 01620 824816
Tue 28 May
Times & prices vary / 01620 824816
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
Leith Festival
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.
Various Venues, Edinburgh
Sat 8 Jun
Times & prices vary / 0131 629 1214
Sun 9 Jun
Times & prices vary / 0131 629 1214
Mon 10 Jun
Times & prices vary / 0131 629 1214
Marymass Festival
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.
Various Venues, Irvine
Thu 15 Aug
Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 01294 324137
Fri 16 Aug
Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 01294 324137
Sat 17 Aug
Times vary / Prices to be confirmed / 01294 324137
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
Fèis an Iar-Dheas – Castle Douglas Festival of the South West
Festival to promote Gaelic music, song, dance and language, including workshops such as 'Gaelic for the terrified’.
Castle Douglas Community Centre
Sun 16 Jun
Free / 07722 114518
- 10:00 – 17:00
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


