Workshops

Edinburgh's festival season kicks off with the Meadows Festival, which offers the best local bands, dance groups, quirky performers and workshops amidst lots of family-friendly activities.

Make a wee silver trinket box and decorate it with embossed silver and coloured stones.

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.

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.

A life drawing workshop with a difference: they're selling beer too. A relaxing way to unwind and exercise your creativity at the same time. (Warning: alcohol consumption can damage your rendering of the human figure.) Spaces are limited. Booking is essential.

Community arts festival based in the west end of Dundee, starting with a gala day, Big Sunday, on Magdalen Green that features live music and entertainment, kids' activities, stalls, food and drink. Throughout the week there's a mix of walks, talks, literary events, music, dance, theatre, art and film.

Called the Folk Dance of America, this social dance which is THE original swing dance evolved in the 20s and 30s from the jazz music of the time and is a madcap fusion of jazz, Charleston, tap and breakaway! It can be cool and sophisticated, or wild and energetic - but the emphasis in this class is on FUN, with the…

Dance and exercise using props and music, for toddlers and their carers.

Learn techniques including popping and locking.

Take an beat-up chair from a tired old frame to spiffy new piece de resistance of your dining room. Sand and stain the wood, add some fluffy stuff and cover it all with a lovely piece of fabric. Of course it's all more involved than that, but that's why pro crafter Louise Smith is there to show you the ropes.

Young people are given the opportunity to participate in a friendly environment, in solo and group dances in ballet, tap and modern, presided by a professional dance adjudicator.

Group tutorials and one to one tutoring, with time to practise and train ideas. Led by Bboy Heron and Bgirl Kelfx.

Young people (aged 16–25) can get a little taster in circus skills, urban dance, and performance with a tryout workshop with Bright Night International. From this, there is the chance to be a part of a 12-week training programme and the opportunity to perform at Edinburgh Mela.

A series of sessions which illuminate all aspects of creative writing. Through discussion, exercises, and example, this course will teach techniques, give you insight into your creative process, and encourage you to achieve your writing goals.

Learn basic computer skills.

Tutored class for artists of all abilities.

A ten-day music festival with 250 musicians performing in 25 venues across autumnal Perthshire. The festival, now in its ninth year, utilises venues as diverse as a tiny Ironage Crannog and the magestic Dunkeld Cathedral to present a series of afternoon and evening concerts, open mic, Cabaret Amber, workshops, talks and…