Major Events
Jan May Jan Feb Mar Feb Apr Mar Jun Apr May Apr May Apr May Jun Apr Jun Jul Mar Feb Jun Jul Aug Jan Sep Jan Oct Jun Oct Nov Jan Nov Dec Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Sep Aug
January (* denotes provisional date,  denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| January-December PERTH 800 A year long programme of events celebrating the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Burgh Charter to Perth by King William the Lion of Scotland in 1210. w: www.perth800.com |
| 1 January (and 25 December) THE BA', Orkney Historical street football game with around 400 players. t: +44 (0)1856 872856 w: www.visitorkney.com |
| 1-31 January1-31 January TURNER IN JANUARY, Edinburgh Annual exhibition of Turner watercolours. t: +44 (0)131 624 6200 w: www.nationalgalleries.org |
| 13 January - 31 January CELTIC CONNECTIONS, Glasgow Celebration of traditional music t: +44 (0)141 353 8000 w: www.celticconnections.com |
| 25 January BURNS NIGHT Celebrating the anniversary of our national poet |
| 29 January-7 February WINTER WORDS FESTIVAL, Pitlochry Festival Theatre Festival celebrating both the written and spoken word. t: +44 (0)1796 484626 w: www.pitlochry.org.uk |
| 26 January UP HELLY AA, Shetland Viking fire festival. t: +44 (0)1595 693434 w: www.visitshetland.com |
| February (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 1 February - 16 March SCOTTISH SNOWDROP FESTIVAL* Various events celebrating our scottish snowdrops. w: www.visitscotland.com/snowdrops |
| 18-28 February GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL Showcase of films from around the world. t: +44 (0)141 332 6535 w: www.glasgowfilmfestival.org.uk |
| 24 February-6 March EDINBURGH FESTIVAL OF MUSIC SPEECH AND DANCE A programme of classes and events. w: www.ecfest.org.uk |
| March (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 1-11 March NEW TERRITORIES, GLASGOW Scotland's International Festival of Live Arts t: +44 (0)141 357 5538 w: www.newmoves.co.uk |
| 6-17 March INVERNESS MUSIC FESTIVAL Instrumental, Speech, Dance and Vocal Competitions. t: +44 (0)1463 716616 w: www.invernessmusicfestival.org |
| 11-28 March MAGNERS GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL Stand-Up, Theatre, Film, Children's Shows and Workshops. t: +44 (0)141 552 2070 w: www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com |
| 17-21 March STANZA, ST ANDREWS Scotland’s Poetry Festival – a celebration of poetry. w: www.stanzapoetry.org |
| 26 March-18 April CEILIDH CULTURE Annual event celebrating all aspects of the traditional arts. t: Tel: +44 (0)131 228 1155 w: www.ceilidhculture.co.uk |
| April (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 3-17 April EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL Stunning science for all ages. t: +44 (0)131 5587666 w: www.sciencefestival.co.uk |
| 9-11 April ORKNEY CEILIDH WEEKEND t: +44 (0)1856 873534 w: www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/otda |
| 10 April MELROSE SEVENS Rugby 7s tournament t: +44 (0)1896 822993 w: www.melrose7s.com |
| 11-17 April ST ANDREWS GOLF WEEK A week of golfing events to suit all levels. w: www.standrewsgolfweek.com |
| 16 April-3 May GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF VISUAL ART Experience the vibrancy and depth of the city’s art scene at its best. t: +44 (0)141 287 8994 w: www.glasgowinternational.org |
| 16-17 April SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL, AYR Highlight of the Scottish horse racing calendar. t: +44 (0)1292 264179 w: www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk |
| 29 April - 3 May SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL Whisky festival with over 200 events. t: +44 (0)7768 383500 w: www.spiritofspeyside.com |
| 29 April - 2 May HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS MUSIC & DANCE FESTIVAL Festival showcasing music and dance of the Highlands and Islands. t: +44 (0)1631 710787 w: www.obanfestival.org |
| 29 April - 2 May SHETLAND FOLK FESTIVAL Presenting the best folk music from around the globe. t: +44 (0)1595 694757 w: www.shetlandfolkfestival.com |
| 30 April BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL, EDINBURGH A celebration of the arrival of summer. w: www.beltane.org |
| 30 April-2 May GIRVAN FOLK FESTIVAL Concerts, ceilidhs, competitions and sessions throughout the weekend. t: +44 (0)1560 321 102 |
| May (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| May - September HIGHLAND GAMES Around 100 Highland games and gatherings take place in Scotland each year. Each one has a mix of piping, athletic events and Highland dancing. w: www.visitscotland.com |
| May SCOTTISH PIPEBAND CHAMPIONSHIPS, DUMBARTON t: +44 (0)141 221 5414 w: www.rspba.org |
| 1-2 May BIG IN FALKIRK Scotland's national street festival celebrates its 10th anniversary. w: www.biginfalkirk.com |
| 20-30 May PERTH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS Annual arts festival. t: +44 (0)845 612 6330 w: www.perthfestival.co.uk |
| 21-29 May DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY ARTS FESTIVAL t: +44 (0)1387 260447 w: www.dgartsfestival.org.uk |
| 22-30 May ISLAY FESTIVAL OF MALT AND MUSIC t: +44 (0)1496 810254 w: www.islayfestival.org |
| 28-30 May ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL* t: +44 (0)1856 851638 w: www.orkneyfolkfestival.com |
| 29-30 May EMIRATES AIRLINES EDINBURGH RUGBY SEVENS, Murrayfield w: www.edinburgh7s.com |
| June (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 3-6 June ANGUS GLENS WALKING FESTIVAL This 4 day festival with walks to suit all tastes and abilities. t: +44 (0)1307 473168 w: www.angusahead.com/walkingfestival |
| 4-6 June GARDENING SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH Scotland’s national celebration of gardening and outdoor living. t: +44 (0)131 333 0969 w: www.gardeningscotland.com |
| 5 June TASTE OF GRAMPIAN, Inverurie Sample the wide range of quality produce from the north east of Scotland. w: www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk |
| 5-6 June UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP, Fort William A stunning celebration of 2 wheeled action in the Highlands. t: +44 (0)131 555 3820 w: www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk |
| 6-13 June 16th ARRAN FOLK FESTIVAL A week of concerts, ceilidhs and open pub sessions. t: +44 (0) 1770 700 641 w: www.arranfolkfestival.com |
| 11-13 June ROCKNESS, Dores, near Inverness. 3 day music festival on the banks of Loch Ness. w: www.rockness.co.uk |
| 13 June ARDROSSAN HIGHLAND GAMES, Memorial Playing Fields, Ardrossan* w: www.ardrossanhighlandgames.org.uk |
| 14-27 June SHETLAND HAMEFARIN Welcoming Shetlanders from around the world back to their home islands. t: +44 (0)1595 744944 w: www.shetlandhamefarin.com |
| 17-27 June EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, EDINBURGH t: +44 (0)131 228 4051 w: www.edfilmfest.org.uk |
| 18-23 June ST MAGNUS FESTIVAL, ORKNEY t: +44 (0)1856 871445 w: www.stmagnusfestival.com |
| 24-27 June ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW, EDINBURGH The Highlight of the Scottish country calendar. t: +44 (0)131 335 6200 w: www.royalhighlandshow.org |
| 27 June-10 July JEDBURGH CALLANTS FESTIVAL t: +44 (0)1835 863687 w: www.jethartcallantsfestival.com |
| July (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 2-4 July GAME CONSERVANCY SCOTTISH FAIR, Scone Palace, Perthshire Demonstrating the importance of game and other wildlife to the Scottish countryside. w: www.scottishfair.com |
| 4-9 July CEÒLAS MUSIC FESTIVAL, South Uist, Outer Hebrides Gaelic music and dance summer school. w: www.ceolas.co.uk |
| 8-11 July BARCLAYS SCOTTISH OPEN, LOCH LOMOND Major PGA Golf Championship t: +44 (0)141 887 2992 w: www.barclaysscottishopen.co.uk |
| 10-11 July SCOTTISH VINTAGE VEHICLE EXTRAVAGANZA, GLAMIS CASTLE t: +44 (0)1307 840393 w: www.glamis-castle.co.uk |
| 12-17 July 12th HEBRIDEAN MARITIME FESTIVAL, STORNOWAY Displays, sailing tuition and challenges to suit all tastes. t: +44 (0)7759 231125 OR +44(0)851 703562 w: www.sailhebrides.info |
| 14-17 July HEBRIDEAN CELTIC FESTIVAL* Premier Celtic music festival. t: +44 (0)1851 621234 w: www.hebceltfest.com |
| 15-18 July THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, ST ANDREWS t: +44 (0)1655 331 000 w: www.opengolf.com |
| 26-31 July INVERNESS TATTOO, INVERNESS* t: +44 (0)1463 242915 w: www.tattooinverness.org.uk |
| 29 July-7 August ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL 11 days of music, dance and theatre. t: +44 (0)1224 213800 w: www.aiyf.org |
| 30 July LOMOND FOLK FESTIVAL, Balloch Park w: www.lomondfolkfestival.com |
| 30 July-8 August EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL w: www.edinburghjazzfestival.co.uk |
| August (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 6-7 August TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL, Beauly, Inverness-shire* Featuring locally and internationally renowned artists. t: +44 (0)1463 741366 w: www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk |
| 6-8 August EDINBURGH MELA A mix of theatre, dance, music, film, visual arts and multi art form performance. t: +44 (0)131 332 2888 w: www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk |
| 6-28 August EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Military extravaganza with breathtaking displays. t: +44 (0)8707 555118 w: www.edintattoo.co.uk |
| 6-30 August EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE The world's largest Arts festival. t: +44 (0)131 226 0026 w: www.edfringe.com |
| 7-15 August PITTENWEEM ARTS FESTIVAL, Fife t: +44 (0)1333 313903 w: www.pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk |
| 9-15 August PIPING LIVE! International Piping Festival. t: +44 (0)141 353 0220 w: www.pipinglive.co.uk |
| 9-15 August CREATIVE CONNECTIONS, Shetland A week of fiddle music, workshops, concerts, storytelling and visual arts. t: +44 (0)1595 743843 w: www.visitshetland.com |
| 13 August - 5 September EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 3 weeks of the best opera, theatre, dance and classical music from around the world. t: +44 (0)131 473 2000 w: www.eif.co.uk |
| 14 - 30 August EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL t: +44 (0)131 718 5666 w: www.edbookfest.co.uk |
| 14 August - 31 October GAELFORCE 2010, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY* Arts season. t: +44 (0)1387 253383/262084 w: www.gaelforceevents.co.uk |
| 14 August THE WORLD PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS, GLASGOW The ultimate pipe band championships. t: +44 (0)141 221 5414 w: www.trspba.org |
| 28-29 August BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS AND COUNTRY FAIR, BLAIR ATHOLL International 3 day event. t: +44 (0)1796 481543 w: www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk |
| 26-28 August COWAL HIGHLAND GATHERING, DUNOON Traditional Highland games. t: +44 (0)1369 703206 w: www.cowalgathering.com |
| September (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 3-11 September BLAS FESTIVAL - Celebrating the Highlands t: +44 (0)1463 225559 w: www.blas-festival.com |
| 4 September BRAEMAR GATHERING Traditional Highland Games and Gathering. t: +44 (0)1339 755377 w: www.braemargathering.org |
| 11 September RAF LEUCHARS AIRSHOW, NR ST ANDREWS* Official military air show. t: +44 (0)1334 839000 w: www.airshow.co.uk |
| 16-18 September AYR GOLD CUP FESTIVAL, Ayr Race Course w: www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk |
| 23-26 September MERCHANT CITY FESTIVAL, GLASGOW The cream of Scotland's art scene. w: www.merchantcityfestival.com |
| 24-26 September THE BELHAVEN BEST DUNBAR TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL Traditional concerts, ceilidhs and sessions. t: +44 (0)1368 863301 w: www.dtmf.dunbar.org.uk |
| 24 September-3 October THE STENALINE WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL A 10-day celebration of the written word. t: +44 (0)1988 403222 w: www.wigtownbookfestival.com |
| October (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 7-11 October SHETLAND ACCORDION & FIDDLE FESTIVAL t: +44 (0)1595 693162 w: www.shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com |
| 8-16 October THE ROYAL NATIONAL MOD, OBAN Premier festival of Gaelic language, music and culture. t: +44 (0)1463 709705 w: www.the-mod.co.uk |
| 29 October - 7 November PERTHSHIRE AMBER Traditional music festival. w: www.perthshireamber.com |
| 30-31 October GLENFIDDICH PIPING AND FIDDLE CHAMPIONSHIPS, BLAIR ATHOLL* International competition. t: +44 (0)1698 573536 w: www.glenfiddich.com |
| November (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 27 November-25 December EDINBURGH'S CHRISTMAS A month of sparkling celebrations. w: www.edinburghschristmas.com |
| 30 November ST ANDREWS DAY Scotland's national holiday and celebration of Scottish culture and heritage. |
| December (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| THROUGHOUT DECEMBER CHRISTMAS MARKETS FESTIVE MARKETS ARE HELD THROUGHOUT SCOTLAND, IDEAL FOR UNIQUE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING Festive markets are held throughout Scotland, ideal for unique Christmas shopping ideas. |
| 29 December-1 January 2010 EDINBURGH'S HOGMANAY Celebrate the New Year at the home of Hogmanay. w: www.edinburghshogmanay.com |
| 31 December THE FLAMBEAUX, COMRIE Ancient torchlight procession signifying the New Year. t: +44 (0)1764 652578 |
| 31 December - 1 January GLASGOW'S HOGMANAY New Year celebrations with special guests in George Square. w: www.winterfestglasgow.com |
| 31 December HOGMANAY New Year celebrations take place in most towns and cities throughout Scotland. w: www.visitscotland.com |
| 31 December STONEHAVEN FIREBALL FESTIVAL Fire festival to welcome the New Year. t: +44 (0)1569 764647 w: www.stonehavenfireballs.co.uk |