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Events
May 2008
Dundee Literary Festival
To be launched on 22nd May 2008.The Dundee Literary Festival promises to be one of the most interesting in Scotland. Response is expected to be high, so please book your tickets quickly.
Isle of Bute Jazz Festival
1-5 May, different venues on the Isle of Bute
It has been 20 years since the Isle of Bute Jazz Festival started. Since 1988, the festival has always taken place on the first weekend of May. There were only six bands in the beginning. But the festival has grown in size and reputation since then, and it now also supports young musicians.
Shetland Folk Festival
1-4 May, different venues on the Shetland islands
Shetland Folk Festival is run by volunteers. It aims to present the best folk music in the world to Shetland. The unofficial opening of the festival happens on the overnight Northlink ferry in the middle of the North Sea. In the book ‘Rough Guide to Scotland’, this event is number eight in the Top 40 Visitor Attractions in Scotland.
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
1-5 May, different venues in Speyside
This festival is aimed at lovers of Scotland’s national drink, Whisky. During the five days there are music and food events. Among the events, there is an opening dinner and the Finals of 2008 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards, At these awards, you can try six Speyside Malt Whiskies and choose the winner.
Fèis Rois/Fèisean nan Gàidheal
3-5 May, different venues in Ullapool
A three-day traditional Gaelic (Scottish language) festival. ‘Feis’ means festival or feast and ‘rois’ is Ross-shire in Gaelic. Fèis Rois run three residential tuition festivals a year. The Adult Fèis Rois runs during the May Day holiday weekend. There will be classes in Gaelic language and song, and musical instruments such as accordion, cello, flute and mandolin.
BUPA Great Edinburgh Run
4 May, Edinburgh
Scotland's 10km road running event is expecting more than 10,000 runners of all abilities to taking part. Runners need to be at least 15-years-old. Children can run in the Junior and Mini Great Run on Saturday 3 May in The Meadows, Edinburgh.
entry.greatrun.org/EventInformation.aspx?StreamId=11
Maggie's Monster Bike & Hike
5 May, Great Glen Way
This is a 24-hour fundraising event for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre, which has been running for the past five years. There is a 30-mile cycle first. Then those who take part must walk eight, 23 or 40 miles afterwards. The route is 73 miles long from Fort William to Inverness, on the Great Glen Way. People compete in teams between 2-6 people.
Word Festival
1-11 May, different venues in Aberdeen
Word is Aberdeen's book festival. There is always a strong focus on the Gaelic language and Doric (the Aberdeen dialect) at this festival. But this year there are Irish, Welsh and English contributions as well. Apart from events focusing on literature, there are also art exhibitions, film screenings, music events and a theatre production. The Children's Festival is free.
Walkfest
9-15 May, Newton Stewart, Galloway
Also known as the Newton Stewart Walking Festival, Walkfest is the biggest walking festival in the South of Scotland. Walkers have 25 routes to choose from during the festival, and there are fully guided walks for all abilities. There are also five evening events, including a ceilidh and a wildlife presentation.
www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk
Aviemore and Cairngorms Walking and Mountain Festival
10-17 May, Aviemore
This will be the sixth Aviemore Walking Festival. Over the years the festival has grown it is now called the Aviemore and Cairngorms Walking and Mountain Festival. There will be eight guided walks a day. Other events happening include white water rafting, badger watch, clay shooting and quad bike trekking.
Loch Fyne Food Fair
10-11 May
The Loch Fyne Food Fair has now been running for 30 years. To celebrate the anniversary, there will be an anniversary buffet dinner and ceilidh on the Saturday. A wide range of foods will be sold by the producers at the farmers’ market and there will also be a craft tent.
www.lochfyne.com/Events/Loch-Fyne-Food-Fair.aspx
Motorfair and the Scottish Motor Show
10-11 May. Knockhill Racing Circuit, Dunfermline, Fife
The official Scottish Motorshow has activities for the whole family to enjoy. Among the activities on offer are free stunt shows, a chance to drive your favourite model of car and a kids' zone.
www.knockhill.com/events/motorfair
Arran Wildlife Festival
14-21 May, different venues in Arran
This festival aims to encourage visitors to enjoy the wildlife in Arran while preserving them. The events include a deer walk, eagle watch and a guide on buying new telescopes and binoculars for watching wildlife.
Ullapool Book Festival
16-18 May, Ullapool
His is a chance to hear some of Scotland’s best writers talk about and read from their books. There are English and Gaelic events.
www.ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk
Borders Festival of the Horse
16-26 May, different venues in the Borders
Over the 11 days, there are events for riders and watchers of the festival. The riding events suit a range of people. Among the events are the Floors Castle International Horse Trials, which is a competition, and 'Come and try Horse Riding'. There are also B&Bs in the area, which welcome people who are bringing their horse along.
Burns an' a' That!
17-19 May, Ayrshire
This will be the seventh Burns an' a' That! Festival, which aims to showcase the best of Scottish talent. It also aims to bring the biggest international acts to Ayrshire. There is wide-ranging programme of music, song, poetry and art. It also celebrates the life and work of Scotland’s national bard. This year’s acts include Status Quo and Eddie Reader.
burns.visitscotland.com/festival
St Magnus Festival
20-23 May, different venues in Orkney
St Magnus Festival is a yearly celebration of the arts in Orkney. Although there are a lot of musical events, there is also dance, drama, literature and visual arts. In the past, visiting orchestras have included the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
Dundee Literary Festival
22 May, University of Dundee
The festival will be officially launched on 22nd May with a lecture by journalist and economic commentator Naomi Klein. The programme includes appearances from the grand dame of British fashion Vivienne Westwood, novelist William Body and mountaineer Andy Cave.
Orkney Folk Festival
22-25 May, different venues in Orkney
This is an annual festival of folk and contemporary music, now in its 26th year. The festival has a mix of well-known names and local musicians. There is an 'Open Stage' event for new musicians of all ages to showcase their talents. The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra will also be visiting this year.
World Ceilidh
22-25 May, Knockengorroch Farm in Dumfries and Galloway
This will be Knockengorroch's 20th world ceilidh, lasting four days, The famous Scottish band, Capercaillie, will be playing at the festival for the first time this year.
Perth Festival of the Arts
22-30 May, different venues in Perth
This is an annual festival of music, comedy and art. There will also be paintings, jewellery and artworks on sale from stalls, and there will be lunchtime concerts everyday. On the last day of the festival, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and British soprano singer, Lesley Garrett, will perform at The Bell Lawrie Festival Concert.
Bell Lawrie Scottish Series
23-26 May, Tarbert
The Clyde Cruising Club – Scotland's leading yachting club – runs the 'Bell Lawrie Scottish Series' every year. It is Scotland's biggest yachting event. There are around 300 boats taking part in the events on Tarbert on Loch Fyne. During the event, the village of Tabert is popular with visitors, and there are social events organised as well.
www.clyde.org/www2/ss08_home.shtml
Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival
23-31 May, different venues in Dumfries
This yearly festival has been running since 1979. It's aim was to bring great international performers to a region with many scattered communities, who would not otherwise have the chance to see such talent. There is classical. jazz and folk music, dance, theatre, literary, visual arts, films and children’s events.
Scottish Pipe Band Championships
24 May, Levengrove Park, Dumbarton
This competition is run by The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association. Visitors are welcome to come along and hear the pipers, drummers and bands compete for the prizes.
Children's International Theatre Festival
24 May-2 June, different venues in Edinburgh
This is the leading UK performing arts festival for children aged 1-14. There is a huge range of theatre productions with an age range guide for each one. There is also a competition for children to write a story about their favourite character from the festival. The prize is a family meal in Edinburgh and a family ticket for the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert in August.
www.imaginate.org.uk/FESTIVAL2008/home.php
Atholl Gathering and Highland Games
14-25 May, Blair Castle, Blair Atholl
Come to this festival to see traditional Highland games, such as hammer throwing, tossing the caber and tug of war.
Spring Fling
24-26 May, different venues across Dumfries and Galloway
Spring Fling gives people the chance to explore contemporary art and craft, and meet with the talented artists in their individual creative space from farms to studios. This year there are 87 people taking part in the event, and 73 studio venues. A free colour brochure is available.
artandcraftsouthwestscotland.com/springfling
Edinburgh Marathon
25 May, Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Marathon is one of Scotland's premier sporting and fundraising events. Each year it raises £2m for Scottish and UK charities. Runners will go past many of Edinburgh's famous landmarks.
Great Scottish Walk Glasgow
25 May, Glasgow
Over 5000 walkers of all ages take part in this yearly event. Groups, teams and families are encouraged to take part in the walk, and over £1m is raised for charities every year. Walkers can choose to walk 1 mile, 6 miles or 12 miles.
Taste of Edinburgh
29 May-1 June, The Meadows, Edinburgh
Taste of Edinburgh gives food lovers the chance to enjoy the best food and drink producers and Scottish restaurants can offer. Edinburgh’s best restaurants and famous chefs will serve samples of their signature dishes. The chefs will also give demonstrations and cooking hints. There will also be live music and a market to sample and buy local produce.
www.channel4.com/life/microsites/T/taste2008
Leith Festival
30 May-8 June, Leith, Edinburgh
This festival is for the people in Leith to remember its past and celebrate its heritage with a week of 150 events taking place at 50 venues. The highlight of the festival is the Gala Day Parade on 7 June. There will also be Gala Day Stalls on where food, arts and crafts are sold on Leith Links.
Gardening Scotland
30 May-1 June, Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston
Gardening Scotland is the highlight of the gardening year in Scotland. There are specialist nurseries at the show and growers can give advice and inspiration to new gardeners. The Dobbies Floral Hall will have the biggest plant sale in Scotland, with more than 30,000 visitors expected.
Drymen Show
31 May, Drymen, Stirlingshire
The Drymen Show has events suitable for the whole family. Competitions and exhibitions at the show include horse show jumping, Highland ponies and sheep shearing. Among the entertainment there is also a funfair, dog show and a mountain and motorbike display.
Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival
31 May-1 June, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch
This is your chance to try and buy different food and wine from Scottish companies, and watch cookery demonstrations from top chefs. There is also a chance for children to learn some cooking techniques. New for this year, there is a tasting table where you can try different food products.
www.lochlomondfoodanddrinkfestival.com
There's a lot more going on across Scotland right now.
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