December

Scott's Selkirk
When: 1st & 2nd December 2007 Where: Selkirk
Celebrating the days when the writer and Scotsman Sir Walter Scott was Sheriff of Selkirkshire, join Selkirk as the whole town takes on a 19th-century atmosphere and provides a wealth of entertainment and activity.

Irn Bru Carnival
When: 21st December 2007 - 13th January 2008 Where: Glasgow
Europe's largest indoor funfair returns to the SECC, Glasgow for the Christmas holidays. It's a feast of fun for all the family, with classic fairground stalls, rollercoasters and such for thrill-seekers and gentler rides for the kiddies.

The Ba'
When: 25th December 2007 Where: Kirkwall, Orkney
Traditional street rugby, played by the Uppies and Doonies with a much prized locally made leather Ba' (ball). The Ba' is thrown up outside St. Magnus Cathedral and the game ranges through the town. It's also played on Christmas Day.

Loch Ness Hogmanay Festival
When: 28th December - 2nd January 2008 Where: Drumnadrochit
Thousands of people enjoy a fun-packed 6-day festival which includes daily guided walks, shinty and football matches, a tea dances, a duck race, and cookery demonstrations to name but a few. The highlight of the festival is the open-air ceilidh on Hogmanay, starting with a torchlight procession behind massed pipe bands.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay
When: 29th December 2007 - 1st January 2008 Where: Edinburgh
Four fabulous days and nights of amazing events kick off the world's greatest New Year party. With the traditional torchlit procession, street performers, fireworks, concerts, ceilidh, the big Hogmanay party itself and a New Year's Day run to blow the cobwebs away - Edinburgh's buzzing. Come along and experience the magic for yourself.

The Land, The Light and The Locals
When: 29th December 2007 - 2nd January 2008 Where: Various venues, the Borders
The Scottish Borders' New Year festival features over 100 musicians and performers from across the region in sessions, concerts and ceilidhs, as well as the numerous informal afternoon music sessions and other daytime events.

Glasgow's Hogmanay Party
When: 31st December 2007 Where: Glasgow
Join Glasgow's biggest party of the year with 25,000 other revellers to see in the New Year with a range of concerts and ceilidhs on several stages around the city centre. George Square is party central - come along and enjoy the fun.

The Hoog
When: 31st December 2007 Where: Edinburgh
The capital's Assembly Rooms plays host to 'The Hoog' - a proper Scottish party to celebrate Hogmanay! The Hoog involves ceilidh dancing, DJs, chill-out rooms, licensed bars and food - all under one roof. The doors open at 7 pm and the entertainment starts at 9 pm until 2 am - bring your dancing shoes!

Oban Hogmanay Street Party
When: 31st December 2007 Where: Oban
Oban has 'pushed the boat out' and organised an event which has all the ingredients of being a great family occasion. A fantastic entertainment programme has been lined up for the event with the sensational ceilidh band Skerryvore topping the bill. They will be ably supported by The Democrats and Chunks as well as traditional piping and Gaelic music. There will also be a fabulous fireworks display from high above the town.

Hogmanay Bonfire
When: 31st December 2007 Where: Biggar
The Hogmanay bonfire in the Borders town of Biggar dates back to pagan times when fire was worshipped and believed to ward of evil spirits for the New Year. The tradition has been kept alive for hundreds of years and no other town in the world celebrates the arrival of the New Year like Biggar.

Perth's Hogmanay
When: 31st December 2007 Where: Perth
The party's in Perth Concert Hall and it's Scotland at its best. A traditional hogmanay hoolie with some of Scotland's finest performers, the event will be hosted by top comedian Bruce Fummey and feature the internationally acclaimed talents of Blazin' Fiddles, Southpaw and singer-songwriter, Jim Malcolm.

Stonehaven Fireball Festival
When: 31st December 2007 Where: Stonehaven
Stonehaven's Fireball Festival is a spectacular sight as local people process along the old town High Street swinging fireballs to ward off the darkness of winter and welcome in the new year in what is one of the few remaining traditional mid-winter fire festivals on the east coast.

Stirling's Hogmanay
When: 31st December 2007 Where: Stirling
Bring in the new year in style at Stirling Castle Esplanade with music from The Proclaimers and the Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band, and a fabulous fireworks display.

Aberdeen Hogmanay Street Party 2007
When: 31st December Where:Aberdeen
Celebrate the coming of the New Year at Scotland's largest free Hogmanay event at Aberdeen's Castlegate. Headline act Travis will be supported by North East rocker Sandi Thom, Celtic rock band Albanach, and German band The Taste. Gates open at 8.00pm, bands on stage from 9.00pm, event finishes approx 12.30am. Entry to the event is free on a first come first served basis via gates at the junction of Union Street and Market Street. A wristband will be issued on entry and you are requested to return it on exit to allow maximum attendance. Barriers will be erected around the event arena, and numbers admitted will be monitored to ensure crowd safety at all times.

Winterfest Glasgow
When: 18th November 2007 - 6th January 2008 Where: Glasgow
Winterfest Glasgow lights up the city with a dazzling array of events and activities, from the Christmas lights switch-on to the big Hogmanay party. George Square is the focus of the festive celebrations as it is transformed into a winter wonderland, including an outdoor ice rink, Glasgow on Ice, and good 'ol Santa's Grotto.

St Andrew's Week
When: 23rd November - 9th December 2007 Where: St Andrews
An eclectic and colourful programme of festivities celebrating the feast day of Scotland's patron saint with the very best of our rich national culture and cuisine. Highlights include traditional and classical music concerts, dance and drama, arts and crafts exhibitions, the Scott's Porage Oats Food & Drink Fair (with the famous Golden Spurtle Award), and a kite festival on the West Sands.

Glasgow On Ice
When: 24th November 2007 - 6th January 2008 Where: Glasgow
With George Square's famous Christmas illuminations as a sparkling backdrop, you'll be able to show off your ice-dancing moves on one of the largest outdoor ice rinks in Europe, all set to non-stop music.

Edinburgh's Christmas
When: 22nd November 2007 - 6th January 2008 Where: Edinburgh
One of Europe's finest Christmas festivals returns with a month-long programme bringing warmth and festive cheer to Edinburgh as the city transforms itself into a magical winter wonderland. Activity is centred around the world-renowned Princes Street Gardens. With a glittering choice of festive celebrations, chic shopping and fine dining set against the shimmering backdrop of this historic city - at Christmas, Edinburgh sparkles. Plans for this year's festivities are well underway. Expect the return of Edinburgh's Christmas favourites such as The Light Night, the Traditional German Christmas Market, Santa's Reindeer Garden, The Edinburgh Wheel, The Great Scottish Santa Run and Winter Wonderland, plus lots of surprises that make Edinburgh's Christmas the ultimate festive experience.

Pantomine Season
When: From late November 2007 Where: Across Scotland
There are lots of pantos staged in towns and cities across Scotland so whether you're eight or eighty, go along to cheer the goodies, boo the baddies and groan at the bad jokes.


Christmas Lights Displays
When: From late November 2007 Where: Across Scotland
Take the family to see one of Scotland's spectacular Christmas lights displays, varying in size from spectacular and glittering illuminations in the big cities to more local, community-based shows.

Joan Eardley
When: 6th November 2007 - 13th January 2008 Where: Edinburgh
The first major exhibition of Scottish artist Joan Eardley?s work in nearly 20 years is the largest ever held, and exclusive to Edinburgh. The exhibition covers every aspect of her career, from pastel sketches to huge oil paintings, from student work to the rugged, majestic seascapes of her later years.

Crime Scene Edinburgh: 20 Years of Rankin and Rebus
When: 24th October 2007 - 13th January 2008 Where: Edinburgh
Retrospective of Edinburgh author Ian Rankin's great detective Rebus and his travails in the city's murky criminal underbelly,

Back to the Future: Sir Basil Spence, 1907-1976
When: 19th October 2007 - 10th February 2008 Where: Edinburgh
A celebratory retrospective of the diverse career of Scotland's most renowned modern architect, Sir Basil Spence, coinciding with the centenary of his birth, at Edinburgh's Dean Gallery.

Bruegel to Rubens: Masters of Flemish Painting
When: 28th September 2007 - 6th April 2008 Where: Edinburgh
The first-ever exhibition of Flemish paintings in the Royal Collection brings together 51 works from the 15th to 17th centuries, including work by Hans Memling, Pieter Bruegel the Elder and Rubens.
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