SPECTRAAberdeen provides its antidote to the late winter blues by lighting up the skies in SPECTRA, the Festival of Light. There are artworks and installations adding colour and a welcome twinkle to city centre buildings such as Marischal College and Aberdeen Art Gallery. February 6–9.spectrafestival.com
SHETLAND FOLK FESTIVALDon’t hesitate to book tickets for this, the most northerly folk festival. The folk world comes to Shetland for these four days and shows the world what a party looks like. The final night is particularly frenetic, with most of the acts perform across three venues for 15-minute sets. May 1–4.shetlandfolkfestival.com
(Image: Paul Campbell)BELLADRUMThis Tartan Heart Festival beats as strong as ever in the Highlands. Since 2004 it has grown in one way, attracting ever more impressive headliners (this year it’s Texas and Paul Heaton) but maintaining the mix of genres, keeping the Belladrum estate a huge part of its attraction. July 31–August 2.tartanheartfestival.com
VOGRIE POGRIEEast Lothian’s family-friendly festival returns in September, in the grounds of Vogrie Country Park. There’s a shuttle from Gorebridge Station. From theatre, walkabout, storytelling, dance, crafts, installations, and workshops in nature. Your pooch is welcome too. September 12–15.vogriepogrie.com
THE ROYAL NATIONAL MODWith Pàdraig MacAoidh announced as Scotland’s Makar, there could be an upswing in interest in the national language. We have to give credit to The Royal National Mòd for being the guardian since it began in 1892. This year the annual festival celebrating Gaelic culture, language, and music returns to Lochaber. October 10–18.ancomunn.co.uk/nationalmod
(Image: GT)
GLASGOW
GLASGOW 850Glasgow has a landmark birthday this year – 850 years young. There will be events all year round, looking at how the city has grown and changed. Aside from the spectacular 850 year celebration programme this could be the year to pay a visit to those countless Glaswegian gems that have been on your bucket list for many years.glasgow850.com
GOVAN OLD CHURCHWhen we go abroad, old churches are a part of most itineraries, but at home we have our gems too. Govan Old Church stands just to the north of Govan. Not only does it have an aesthetically impressive interior, but it is home to a collection of the early medieval Govan Stones.thegovanstones.org.uk
WALKING IN RYTHMNGlasgow was the first UK UNESCO City of Music in 2008 and from the Blue Danube to the Blue Nile you’ll find it there. See a bit of the city on a walking tour, taking in venues in the city centre. The walls tell the stories, via the guides of course.glasgowmusiccitytours.com
(Image: Colin Mearns)PROVAN HALLThere are gems away from the city centre of course. Head out to Easterhouse to experience Provan Hall, a medieval building from the 1460s. There is a small museum and visitor centre to tell the full story. The community management trust who run it also creates a great calendar of events.provanhall.org
GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVALWell, you can’t come to Glasgow without having a laugh, comedy is written into the walls as deeply as music is. The programme is wider ever year in venues from pubs to the grandest theatres (even a bowling club) and across the city. March 12–30.glasgowcomedyfestival.com
(Image: Getty Images)
THE OUTDOORS
FASKALLY WOODFaskally Wood isn’t just for the dark nights, as amazing as the Enchanted Forest light show, held here ever year, is. About a mile north-west of Pitlochry (there are buses), the wood offers gentle walks around Loch Dunmore and for the twitchers, birds such as kingfishers and herons – even goldeneye ducks, who nest in the trees.
PUCK’S GLENOver on the Cowal peninsula, there’s a magical place, which is said to be a place where the most mischievous wee spirits congregate. But Puck’s Glen doesn’t need any myths – with its waterfalls in a gorge deep in the woodland five miles north of Dunoon is quite enough.
SANNA BAYThe very definition of getting away from it all Sanna Bay is on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, the most westerly point of this island. Wide sands, high dunes and a backdrop of craggy hills. The views and the high chance of some wildlife spotting all make the effort to get here worthwhile.
SEAFARISeafari Adventures has always been known for its RIB trips out from Easdale to wonders such as the Corryvreckan Whirlpool and sealife around the islands. The pace isn’t for everyone, so it now also offers a traditional “hard” boat for a more leisurely trip out to Minke Whale feeding grounds.seafari.co.uk
OUTER HEBRIDESFeatured on the “Best of the World” for 2025 by National Geographic, the Outer Hebrides is recognised as an unforgettable experience. If you haven’t been you’re missing the quietest moments, most dramatic landscapes and most distinct personalities to every island.visitouterhebrides.co.uk
(Image: Devil’s Porridge Museum)
HISTORY & HERITAGE
DEVIL’S PORRIDGE MUSEUMFor some, porridge is the devil’s work, but here at Eastriggs in Dumfries & Galloway is one of Scotland’s great wartime stories. HM Factory Gretna stretched along the Solway Coast for nine miles. This museum tells the story of the people and the life of the munitions factory.devilsporridge.org.uk
SCOTTISH CRANNOG CENTREIn 2021 the Scottish Crannog Centre was destroyed in under six minutes. Three years later it reopened, 12 times the size of the original, and further along the lochside, now at Dalerb in Perthshire. A new building houses the collection and now it opens out to the main attraction, a working Iron Age village.crannog.co.uk
DUNDEE MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTA band of enthusiasts almost willed this museum into existence. It showcases the transport heritage of Dundee but also looks forward to a sustainable future. This is a temporary location until the museum relocates to the refurbished Maryfield tram depot.dmoft.co.uk
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH LIGHTHOUSESAt the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh, the story of the Northern Lighthouse Board, from 1786 to the present day is told. The engineers and, of course, the keepers who operated them. A ticket also includes a tour of Kinnaird Head.lighthousemuseum.org.uk
ROBERT SMAIL’S PRINTING WORKSIf there are small people visiting, the pace of change will be much more evident. At Innerleithen in the Borders, Robert Smail’s Printing Works uses Victorian-era letterpress machinery to produce cards and stationery. Even the iPad generation will enjoy setting their name in type.nts.org.uk/visit/places/robert-smails
(Image: Jupiter Artland)
CULTURE
JUPITER ARTLANDOut to the west of Edinburgh, Jupiter Artland is a sculpture park in more than 100 acres of meadows, woodland and indoor galleries. Opened in 2009, it has become one of the UK’s most important outdoor sculpture spaces – for arty parents and kids who just like being outside. It’s worth the effort.jupiterartland.org
MONTROSE PLAYHOUSEThe community of the Angus town has created this centre with three cinema screens, a café bar and space for other cultural activities, for themselves of course, but also for visitors to the town. Stay longer once you’ve seen the birdlife at the Montrose Basin or enjoyed Lunan Bay.montroseplayhouse.co.uk
LIBRARY OF INNERPEFFRAYThe importance of libraries is never in dispute, so visit where it all began. The oldest lending library in Scotland is at Innerpeffray near Crieff. Beside the Earn, the library has been here, dispensing knowledge and welcoming readers since 1680.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk
ARRAN ARTS HERITAGE TRAILOn Arran, 20 locations have been linked to create a trail that celebrates the island’s connection with artists. The Arran Arts Heritage Trail features well-loved artists such as Joan Eardley, Hugh Purdie, Mary Armount, William McTaggart and George Edwards Hering.arranartsheritagetrail.com
WARDLAW MUSEUMIt’s easy to miss The Wardlaw Museum in St Andrews, tucked away on The Scores, but the building with the crow-stepped gables will catch your eye. Part of the university, it’s a museum with a wide reach to the past and the future.st-andrews.ac.uk/museums