Around Scotland
Composers’ Hub, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, April 14. A chance to hear five new works written especially for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Phone 0141 353 8000.
Beer Festivale, Summerhall, Edinburgh, April 16-18. This ale-filled weekend, courtesy of in-house brewery Barney’s, is usually a sell-out so get your tickets quick. Phone 0131 560 1580.
A Question Of Sport Live, SEC, Glasgow, April 17. Join Sue Barker and captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell along with big-name guests from the sporting world as part of a tour that celebrates 50 years of the popular TV quiz programme. www.sec.co.uk
Bloom Children’s Art Festival, The Barn, Burn o’ Bennie, Banchory, April 17-18. The exciting, brand-new festival that showcases various aspects of the arts – including crafts, music, dance and theatre – and seeks inspiration from nature.
Box Office: 01330 825431
East Fife Male Voice Choir, Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy, April 17-18. Guest artists are Gregor Blamey and Alasdair Savage. www.efmvc.or.uk
St Andrews Food And Drink Festival, various venues, April 18. A rich celebration of Fife’s culinary produce with demonstrations, food tastings and special events. www.foodfromfife.co.uk
Glasgow Zine Fest, CCA, April 18.
A weekend of workshops, screenings, talks and socials dedicated to self-publishing artists and a do-it-yourself ethos. Email: glasgowzinelibrary@gmail.com
Ghost Hunt, House of Dun, Montrose, April 18. House of Dun is said to be one of Scotland’s most haunted properties. Explore by night and find out if that’s true with the UK and Scottish Ghost Nights team.
Paisley Comic Con, Lagoon Leisure Centre, April 18. Celebration of comic art and culture with stalls, games, talks and demonstrations. www.paisleycomics.com
90 Minutes Of Sondheim, Byre Theatre, St Andrews, April 19. Join the Just So Society for a musical revue to celebrate composer and musical theatre legend Stephen Sondheim’s 90th birthday.
Walk Islay, various venues, April 19-24. An annual walking event taking place across Islay, Jura and Colonsay with six different walks to choose from. www.walkislay.co.uk
Remembering The Oscars, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, April 23. Strictly Come Dancing stars Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara celebrate Oscar-winning songs in an exhilarating dance spectacular.
Bond: An Unauthorised Parody, Tullynessle & Forbes Village Hall, Alford, April 23. Solo show from Gavin Robertson that turns an irreverent eye on the super-spy. Phone 07979 238115.
John O’groats Book Festival, April 23-26. Writers appearing at the UK’S most northerly book festival include Gillian Galbraith, Gerda Stevenson and Freeland Barbour. www.lytharts.org.uk
Fife Brass Band Festival, Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, April 25. This event features more than 20 bands from all over Scotland and the north of England.
Box office: 01383 602302.
Para Handy: A Radio Play On Stage, Bettridge Centre, Aberdeen, April 25. Three actors and an accordionist bring Neil Munro’s characters to life, performed as a 1950s radio play.
Aberdeen Craft and Ale Trail, various venues, April 25. Sample craft beers and ales in eight pubs in and around the city. Shuttle buses are provided. www.realaletrail.co. uk/aberdeen-craft-ale-trail/
The Signalman, Perth Theatre, April 29-May 9. A play written by Peter Arnott that’s based on the 1879 Tay Bridge Disaster.
Phone 01738 621031.
That’s Amore, Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock, April 30. Tenors Unlimited take you on a thrilling three-man tour through some of the best songs in the repertoire.
Phone 01475 732732.
Highlands And Islands Music And Dance Festival, various venues, April 30-May 3. An Oban-based festival that showcases young talent, with more than 1100 participants and 125 competition classes. Phone 07510 841198.
Shetland Folk Festival, various venues, April 30-May 3. Celebrating its 40th birthday, the most northerly folk gathering in the UK hosts eclectic line-ups of folk, blues, jazz and swing. www.shetlandfolkfestival.com
Scapa Fest, Ardkinglas House, Cairndow, May 1-3. A yoga, adventure and sustainable living experience designed to help people live in harmony with the power of nature. www.scapafest.com
Girvan Traditional Music Festival, various venues, May 1-3. First established in 1975, this year’s festival welcomes Creel, Rachel Garvey and many more. www. girvantraditionalfolkfestival.org.uk
Loch Long Adventure Challenge, May 2. A triathlon that celebrates the Year of Coasts and Waters, with competitors taking part in teams of two. www.lochlongevents.com
Wetland Wander: Dawn Chorus, RSPB Black Devon Wetlands, Alloa, May 2 & 9. Celebrate Dawn Chorus Day as you’re guided through various habitats by RSPB staff.
Phone 01324 832853.
Glasgow Coffee Festival, various venues, May 4-5. Celebrate speciality coffee culture, passion and community with your favourite cafes, roasters and baristas. www.glasgowcoffeefestival.com
Scottish Six Days Trial, various venues, Fort William, May 4-9. The world’s top motorcyclists compete in this spectacular event with star guest American World Trials Champion, Bernie Schreiber. www.ssdt.org
Everest & Beyond, Albert Halls, Stirling, May 6. Cathy O’dowd tells how she became the first woman to climb Everest from both sides, with further information on her current climbing exploits.
Phone 01786 473544.
Newton Stewart Walking Festival, various venues, May 8-14. A week of guided walks exploring wild hills, rugged coastlines and rolling countryside with specific themes such as wildlife, coastline, geology or history. www.walkfestnewton stewart.com
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, May 8.
As well as this timeless classic, the Piccadilly Sinfonia will perform music by Bach and Mozart by candlelight.
Open Studios Fife, various venues, May 8-10. Artists from across the north of Fife open up their adapted sheds and bespoke studios to display paintings, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and work in glass, metal and wood. www.openstudiosfife.co.uk
Stirling Whisky Festival, Stirling Highland Hotel, May 8-9. A chance to sample more than 100 malts from all over Scotland with masterclasses on distilling, ageing and bottling whisky from master distillers.
Phone 01786 596496.
Andre Rieu, SSE Hydro, May 9. The Dutch “King of Waltz” brings his Johann Strauss Orchestra to Glasgow as part of a nationwide tour.
Perth Beer Festival, North Inch, May 9. Combined beer festival and rugby sevens tournament so you have something to watch with your pint! Phone 01738 440325.