A Year In
Scotland
January
l New Year’s Day (1 Jan). Hardy bathers plunge into the North Sea at various locations.
Celtic Connections (last 2 weeks in Jan). Glasgow’s famous festival of Celtic music.
Burns Night (25 Jan) This is celebrated all over Scotland. Dumfries hosts Big Burns Supper.
A Year In Scotland
February
Glasgow Film Festival (mid-Feb–early Mar). See the best of local and international cinema at venues throughout the city.
l Six Nations Rugby Tournament (Feb–Mar: varying Sat and Sun). One of the highlights of Scotland’s sporting calendar.
A Year In Scotland
March
Whyte & Mackay Glasgow International Comedy Festival (2nd fortnight in Mar). Internationally renowned comedy festival.
l Aberdeen Jazz Festival (3rd week in Mar). A five-day festival featuring a range of musicians and performances at the city’s top venues.
A Year In Scotland
April
l Edinburgh International Science Festival (1st fortnight in Apr). This two-week festival offers a diverse range of educational and innovative events and experiences for adults and children.
Highland Haggis Festival (1st Sun in Apr). A celebration of Scottish produce and Highland culture, with a particular focus on the much-loved haggis, held in the Highland town of Spean Bridge.
A Year In Scotland
May
l Beltane Fire Festival (30 Apr/1 May). This spring festival features bonfires and a torchlight parade in Edinburgh.
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (1st week in May). A celebration of Scotland’s national drink.
Perth Festival of the Arts (3rd week in May). Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre stage opera, classical music, drama, dance and rock shows.
A Year In Scotland
june
St Magnus International Festival (last week in Jun). A lively celebration of music, drama, dance and literature in Kirkwall, Orkney.
l TRNSMT Festival (last weekend in Jun and first weekend in Jul). Scottish rock and indie music is performed by top bands and emerging artists on Glasgow Green.
A Year In Scotland
July
Edinburgh International Film Festival (2nd fortnight in Jul). Presents award-winning new releases, classic cinema, arthouse films, blockbusters and independent productions at venues throughout the city.
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and Glasgow Jazz Festival (2nd week in Jul/3rd week in Jul). Live jazz, blues and soul performances held in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
l Glasgow Mela (3rd weekend in Jul). Celebrates multicultural Scotland with live music, dancing and exotic street food from around the world.
A Year In Scotland
August
l Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe (throughout Aug). Events take place at every venue in the city.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (throughout Aug). Held at Edinburgh Castle with military parades and fireworks every night during Edinburgh International Festival.
A Year In Scotland
September
l Braemar Gathering (1st Sat in Sep). Celebrates Highland pageantry at Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Braemar.
Wigtown Book Festival (last week in Sep). Held in Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town, with readings by authors, signings and book launches.
A Year In Scotland
October
l The Enchanted Forest (throughout Oct). A spectacular sound and light event set in Highland Perthshire’s Faskally Wood.
Tiree Wave Classic (mid-Oct). Held on the island of Tiree, this is the longest running professional windsurfing event in the world.
Samhuinn Fire Festival (31 Oct) Edinburgh’s Hallowe’en event has fire displays and acrobatics.
A Year In Scotland
November
Saltire Festival (30 Nov). Festival of music, culture, sport and heritage celebrates St Andrew’s Day with a range of eclectic events at venues throughout East Lothian.
l Edinburgh’s Christmas (mid-Nov–early Jan). Princes Street Gardens become home to an ice rink, a reindeer garden and a Christmas Market.
A Year In Scotland
December
l Edinburgh’s Hogmanay (31 Dec). Celebrations around the Royal Mile and throughout Scotland well into the early hours.
Stonehaven Fireball Festival (31 Dec). This ancient tradition sees 60 local fireball-swingers parade down the town’s high street on the stroke of midnight.