Major Events
January (* denotes provisional date,  denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 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 January TURNER IN JANUARY, Edinburgh Annual exhibition of Turner watercolours. t: +44 (0)131 624 6200 w: www.nationalgalleries.org |
| 16 January-3 February CELTIC CONNECTIONS, Glasgow Celebration of traditional music. t: +44 (0)141 353 8000 w: www.celticconnections.com |
| 25 January BURNS' NIGHT, Throughout Scotland A celebration of the birth of our national poet. |
| 29 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) |
| 14-24 February GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL Showcase of movies from around the world. t: +44 (0)141 332 6535 w: www.glasgowfilmfestival.org.uk |
| 15-23 February FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL Varied programme of lectures, films, workshops, exhibitions, plays and music. t: +44 (0) 1397 700001 w: www.mountainfestival.co.uk |
| 18 February - 6 March INVERNESS MUSIC FESTIVAL* Instrumental, speech, dance and vocal competitions. t: +44 (0)1463 716616 w: www.invernessmusicfestival.org |
| March (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 5-9 March ABERDEEN JAZZ FESTIVAL* t: Info: +44 (0)1224 619770 w: www.jazzaberdeen.com |
| 6-23 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 |
| 13-16 March StANZA 2008, St Andrews Scotland's Poetry Festival - a celebration of poetry. w: www.stanzapoetry.org |
| Mar-April CEILIDH CULTURE* Edinburgh's annual showcase of traditional arts. t: +44 (0)131 2281155 w: www.ceilidhculture.co.uk |
| April (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 11-13 April ORKNEY CEILIDH WEEKEND t: +44 (0)1856 873534 w: www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/otda |
| 11-27 April GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ART w: www.glasgowinternational.org |
| 12 April 125th ANNIVERSARY MELROSE SEVENS Rugby 7s tournament t: +44 (0)1896 822993 w: www.melrose7s.com |
| 19 April SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL, Ayr Highlight of the Scottish horse racing calendar. t: +44 (0)1292 264179 w: www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk |
| 23-25 April ORKNEY JAZZ FESTIVAL t: +44 (0)1856 850298 w: www.visitorkney.com |
| 30 April BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL, Edinburgh A celebration of the arrival of summer. w: www.beltane.org |
| end April GLASGOW ART FAIR* Over 50 galleries showcase the highest quality Scottish artworks, available for sale. t: +44 (0) 141 552 6027 w: www.glasgowartfair.com |
| May (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 1-4 May SHETLAND FOLK FESTIVAL t: +44 (0)1595 694757 w: www.shetlandfolkfestival.com |
| 1-5 May ISLE OF BUTE JAZZ FESTIVAL The 21st year of the Jazz Festival on the Isle of Bute t: +44 (0)1700 502151 w: www.butejazz.com |
| 1-5 May SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL Whisky festival with over 200 events for all to enjoy. t: +44 (0)7768 383500 w: www.spiritofspeyside.com |
| 1-4 May 25th HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS MUSIC & DANCE FESTIVAL Traditional music and dance of the highlands and islands. t: +44 (0)1631 710787 w: www.obanfestival.org |
| 3-4 May BIG IN FALKIRK, Callendar Park w: www.biginfalkirk.com |
| 22-25 May ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL t: +44 (0)1856 851638 w: www.orkneyfolkfestival.com |
| 22 May-1 June PERTH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS Annual arts festival. t: +44 (0)845 612 6330 w: www.perthfestival.co.uk |
| 23 - 31 May DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY ARTS FESTIVAL t: +44 (0)1387 260447 w: www.dgartsfestival.org.uk |
| 24 May SCOTTISH PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS, Dumbarton t: +44 (0)141 221 5414 w: www.rspba.org |
| 24-26 May SPRING FLING, South West Scotland Art and craft open studios weekend. t: +44 (0)1387 262084 w: www.spring-fling.co.uk |
| 24 May - 1 June ISLAY FESTIVAL OF MALT AND MUSIC t: +44 (0)1496 302413 w: www.islayfestival.org |
| 30 May - 1 June GARDENING SCOTLAND Scotland's national celebration of gardening and outdoor living t: +44 (0) 131 333 0969 w: www.gardeningscotland.com |
| June (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 13 June SELKIRK COMMON RIDING Grand symbolic tour of the old town boundaries. t: +44 (0)870 6080404 w: www.visitscottishborders.com |
| 13-29 June WEST END FESTIVAL, Glasgow* t: +44 (0)141 3410844 w: www.westendfestival.co.uk |
| 18-29 June EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, Edinburgh t: +44 (0) 131 228 4051 w: www.edfilmfest.org.uk |
| 19-22 June ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW, Edinburgh The highlight of the Scottish country calendar. t: +44 (0)131 335 6200 w: www.royalhighlandshow.org |
| 20-25 June ST. MAGNUS FESTIVAL, Orkney t: +44 (0)1856 871445 w: www.stmagnusfestival.com |
| 20-29 June GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL t: +44 (0)141 552 3552 w: www.jazzfest.co.uk |
| July (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 5-6th July SCOTTISH VINTAGE VEHICLE EXTRAVAGANZA, Glamis Castle* t: +44 (0)1307 840393 w: www.glamis-castle.co.uk |
| 7-12 July HEBRIDEAN MARITIME FESTIVAL, Stornoway* t: +44 (0) 7759 231125 w: www.sailhebrides.info |
| 10-13 July BARCLAYS SCOTTISH OPEN, Loch Lomond Major PGA golf championship. t: +44 (0)141 887 2992 w: www.barclaysscottishopen.co.uk |
| 16-19 July HEBRIDEAN CELTIC FESTIVAL* Premier Celtic music festival featuring a wealth of local talent alongside International performers. t: +44 (0)1851 621234 w: www.hebceltfest.com |
| 19-20 July GLASGOW RIVER FESTIVAL Family entertainment on the Clyde River and shore. w: www.glasgowriverfestival.co.uk |
| 24-27 July SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, Troon w: www.europeantour.com |
| 25-26 July THE WICKERMAN FESTIVAL, Nr Kirkcudbright Scotland's alternative music festival. t: +44 (0)1738 450442 w: www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk |
| 26-27 July WORLD HIGHLAND GAMES, Callander t: +44 (0)1877 330184 w: www.incallander.co.uk |
| 28 July-2 August INVERNESS TATTOO, Inverness* t: +44 (0)1463 242915 |
| 30 July-9 August ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL The World Festival of Youth Arts. 11 days of music, dance and theatre. t: +44 (0)1224 213800 w: www.aiyf.org |
| August (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 1-23 August EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Military extravaganza with breathtaking displays. t: +44 (0)8707 555118 w: www.edintattoo.co.uk |
| 3-25 August EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE The world's largest Arts festival t: +44 (0)131 226 0026 w: www.edfringe.com |
| 8-31 August EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Three weeks of the best opera, theatre, dance, classical music and visual art from around the world. t: +44 (0)131 473 2000 w: www.eif.co.uk |
| 9-25 August EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL t: +44 (0)131 718 5666 w: www.edbookfest.co.uk |
| 11-17 August PIPING LIVE! Glasgow International Piping Festival t: +44 (0)141 353 0220 w: www.pipingfestival.co.uk |
| 16 August WORLD PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS, Glasgow Green, Glasgow The ultimate pipe band championships. t: +44 (0)141 221 5414 w: www.rspba.org |
| 16 August-31 October GAELFORCE 2008, Dumfries and Galloway Arts season. t: +44 (0)1387 262084 w: www.gaelforcefestival.co.uk |
| 21-24 August BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS AND COUNTRY FAIR, Blair Atholl International three day event. t: +44 (0)1796 481543 w: www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk |
| 27-28 August ARGYLLSHIRE GATHERING Oban's Highland games featuring solo piping World Championship competitions. t: +44 (0)1631 562671 w: www.obangames.com |
| 28-30 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) |
| 1-8 September AIR NEW ZEALAND GOLDEN OLDIES WORLD RUGBY FESTIVAL w: www.goldenoldiessports.com |
| 6 September BRAEMAR GATHERING Traditional Highland games and gathering. t: +44 (0)1339 755377 w: www.braemargathering.org |
| 13 September RAF LEUCHARS AIRSHOW 2008, Nr St Andrews Official military airshow with thrilling air displays, Scottish Fair, trade and ground exhibitions. t: +44 (0)1334 839000 w: www.airshow.co.uk |
| 25-28 September MERCHANT CITY FESTIVAL, Glasgow The cream of Scottish contemporary and traditional art and culture. t: +44 (0)141 552 6027 w: www.merchantcityfestival.com |
| 26-28 September EAST LOTHIAN FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL* t: +44 (0) 620 827183 w: www.eastlothian.gov.uk |
| 26-28 September The 20th BELHAVEN BEST DUNBAR TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL Traditional concerts, ceilidhs and sessions. t: +44 (0)1368 863301 w: www.dtmf.dunbar.org.uk |
| October (* denotes provisional date, denotes an event with traditional music or bagpipes) |
| 2-5 October ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP, Carnoustie Golf championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. w: www.alfreddunhilllinks.com |
| 3-12 October SCOTTISH BOOK TOWN FESTIVAL* A 10-day celebration of the written word t: +44 (0)1988 403222 w: www.wigtownbookfestival.com |
| 10-12 October TUNNOCK'S TOUR OF MULL CAR RALLY Popular car rally on the Isle of Mull. w: www.2300club.org |
| 10-18 October THE ROYAL NATIONAL MOD, Falkirk Scotland's premier festival of Gaelic language, music and culture. t: +44 (0)1463 709705 w: www.the-mod.co.uk |
| 25 October GLENFIDDICH PIPING CHAMPIONSHIPS, Blair Atholl International competition. t: +44 (0)1698 573536 w: www.glenfiddich.com |
| 26 October GLENFIDDICH 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) |
| 23-30 November ST ANDREW'S WEEK, St Andrew's A week of festivities culminating in St Andrew's Day. t: +44 (0)1334 472021 |
| 27 November-24 December EDINBURGH'S CHRISTMAS A month of sparkling celebrations. For more information please visit our website: w: www.edinburghschristmas.com |
| 30 November ST ANDREW'S DAY Celebrations of Scotland's patron saint. |
| 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 ideas. |
| 29 December-1 January 2009 EDINBURGH'S HOGMANAY Celebrate the New Year at the home of Hogmanay. w: www.edinburghshogmanay.com |
| 31 December HOGMANAY New Year celebrations take place in most towns and cities throughout Scotland. w: www.visitscotland.com |
| 31 December GLASGOW'S HOGMANAY New Year celebrations with special guests in George Square. t: +44 (0)870 333 6205 w: www.glasgowshogmanay.org.uk |
| 31 December THE FLAMBEAUX, Comrie Ancient torchlight procession signifying the New Year. t: +44 (0)1764 652578 |
| 31 December STONEHAVEN FIREBALL FESTIVAL Fire festival to welcome the New Year. t: +44 (0)1569 764647 or (0)1569 762300 w: www.stonehavenfireballs.co.uk |