Workshops, Festival

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.

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.

Britain's most northerly festival on Britain's most northerly island is a family-friendly affair with fiddle workshops, go kart races, film screenings and live music worth travelling for.