September

Orkney International Science Festival
When: 4th - 10th September 2008 Where: Orkney
A kaleidoscopic mix of fresh insights, challenging ideas and lively activities that build links between science and all the other aspects of human affairs, from art and music, to history and philosophy.

Dundee Flower & Food Festival
When: 5th - 7th September 2008 Where: Dundee
Dundee Flower and Food Festival is a three-day extravaganza of superb entertainment for all the family. Set in marquees in the magnificent Camperdown Country Park, the event showcases fabulous floral and garden displays and competitions and cookery demonstrations by famous-name chefs. There are also competitions, craft stalls, fashion shows and children's activities.

Blas Festival - Celebrating Highland Music
When: 5th - 13th September 2008 Where: Various venues, the Highlands
BLAS is rapidly establishing itself as the Highlands premier Gaelic and traditional music festival. It takes place in venues across the Highlands and includes an eclectic line-up of local, national and international artistes.

Techfest In September
When: 5th - 22nd September 2008 Where: Aberdeen
An annual festival of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that aims to engage children and adults of all ages in all spheres of science with a series of schools programmes and workshops, public lectures and a family activities weekend.

The Braemar Gathering
When: 6th September 2008 Where: Braemar
Perhaps the most celebrated of all the Highland Games in the world, and the only one which guarantees the presence of a member of the royal family, the Braemar Gathering prides itself on its reputation for friendship and hospitality. International athletes will compete in heavy and track events, and there will be displays and competitions featuring pipers and dancers.

Scottish Countryside Festival
When: 6th - 7th September 2008 Where: Glamis, Angus
Scotland's Countryside Festival is held in the spectacular grounds of Glamis Castle, childhood home of the Queen Mother. Traditional country-fair attractions such as fishing, shooting and dog competitions, feature alongside a more unusual range of offerings. Children can have fun catching fish, trying out archery, or exploring our Children's Corner; and for shoppers, there's a food hall and an extensive and exclusive crafts tent.

Angus & Dundee Roots Festival
When: 6th - 13th September 2008 Where: Various venues, Angus & Dundee
The Angus & Dundee Roots Festival will provide a focus for people whose ancestors came from Angus & Dundee to visit the area to find out more about their ancestral homeland whilst at the same time forging new friendships with like-minded people from across the globe.

Scottish Food Fortnight
When: 6th - 21st September 2008 Where: Across Scotland
Scottish Food Fortnight is a harvest-time celebration of all that is good about Scottish food and drink. Shops, hotels, restaurants, schools, Farmers Markets and many others will be taking part in the national celebration of the vast array of wonderful, fresh, seasonal produce that is available from our Scottish countryside.

Tour of Britain (Scottish stage)
When: 13th September 2008 Where: tbc
The Tour of Britain is a blue riband cycling event that takes place on a world stage, attracting regional, national and international interest. Teams will battle it out over eight days of intense competition from 7th - 14th September to achieve overall pole position, including a special Scottish stage on the penultimate day of the Tour.

Leuchars Air Show
When: 13th September 2008 Where: Leuchars, Fife
The RAF's official military airshow in Scotland with thrilling air displays, Scottish Fair, trade and ground exhibitions.

Off The Page
When: 13th - 20th September 2008 Where: Stirling
Off The Page is Stirling's very own book festival and features an exciting line-up of writers, poets and entertainers in a wide-ranging celebration of the written word. The Festival is designed to be a shared experience that will engage families and individuals of all ages through a mixture of authors, books, storytelling, workshops and other activities.

Brechin Arts Festival
When: 13th - 28th September 2008 Where: Brechin, Angus
With 73 performances, workshops and demonstrations, over 30 exhibitors and more, the Brechin Arts Festival has become one of the biggest cultural events happening in Scotland this year. Artists Dennis Buchan, Doug Cocker, Michael Visocchi and Clare Yarrington and performers Karen Matheson, Young-Choon Park, London Piano Trio and Red-Hot Chilli Pipers headline.

LoopallU
When: 19th & 20th September 2008 Where: Ullapool
Loopallu 'Little fest on the West'. 2 nights of jumping around to bands of local, national and international acclaim with what has to be one of the most stunning, picturesque and romantic backdrops in the world. It's friendliness, remoteness and its interaction with the community are its key selling points.

The Hairth
When: 19th - 21st September 2008 Where: Knockengorroch, Galloway
The Hairth showcases top world and traditional music at a three-day camping event in the deep south of Scotland. The festival features sessions, fire show, cabaret, ceilidh, open mic, a children's marquee, puppets, workshops, storytelling, a healing area, a Celtic longhouse, global shopping, and real ales.

Merchant City Festival
When: 25th - 28th September 2008 Where: Glasgow
Glasgow's multi-arts festival brings to the Merchant City over 300 events that make for five days packed with music, theatre, comedy, film, food and exhibitions, all celebrating the cultural richness of Glasgow's old commercial quarter.

Autumn Speyside Whisky Festival
When: 26th - 29th September 2008 Where: Dufftown, Moray
A lively celebration of our national drink in one of the most beautiful producing areas - almost fifty world-famous distilleries are located on Speyside. You can visit and tour most during the festival which also features tasting sessions, talks, exhibitions and get-togethers. Heaven for whisky lovers.

Scottish Book Town Festival
When:26th September - 5th October 2008 Where: Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway
Wigtown plays host to what is billed as the nation's most intimate book festival, offering a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a selection of the UK's best-loved writers and performers. With over a quarter of a million books to choose from Wigtown's many booksellers, publishers, book dealers and arts and crafts shops, it's easy to see why this is Scotland's national book town.

Doors Open
When: 27th September 2008 Where: Venues across Scotland
Every weekend in September you can take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to discover Scotland's hidden heritage. Doors Open Days offer the chance to explore some of Scotland's most interesting buildings of every kind and age, all free of charge! At some you can enjoy a tour, live music or exhibition - or just look around at your own pace. Other sites offer special activities for children and young people. Each year the event grows, with thousands more people taking part. Doors Open Days form Scotland's contribution to European Heritage Days.

World Stone Skimming Championships
When: 28th September 2008 Where: Easdale
The tiny Hebridean island of Easdale welcomes almost 200 competitors battling to win the coveted World Stone Skimming Cup. With party, barbeque, bands and children's entertainment, the championships promise a fun day out for everyone.

Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Competition
When: (Dates tbc) Where: Carrbridge, Highlands
As part of the 2007 Carrbridge Gathering, the Scottish Open Chainsaw Carving Competition, or Carve Carrbridge as it is known, sees competitors from across the UK carve incredibly detailed sculptures from logs using only chainsaws. There will be a grand auction of finished works.

St James's Fair, Kelso
When: (Dates tbc) Where: Kelso, Scottish Borders
The Fair commences with the opening ceremony at 12 noon followed by craft stalls, entertainment, exhibitions and displays. A spectacular sound and light show will be held in Bridgend Park on Saturday evening.

Retrofest
When: (Dates tbc) Where:Culzean Castle, Ayrshire
An amazing line-up of 80s pop stars entertain nostalgia fans of all ages on a weekend of music and merriment at the impressive Culzean Castle at Maybole on the Ayrshire coast. Acts include: The Human League, Bananarama, ABC, Tony Hadley, Belinda Carlisle, Kim Wilde, Go West and many more. Yes, it's the biggest 80s party weekend in the UK ever!

Edinburgh Mela
When: (Dates tbc) Where: Edinburgh
Melas first came to Britain from the Indian sub-continent in the late eighties, and since 1995 the Edinburgh Mela has brought together many aspects of south Asian traditions and those of other cultures into a modern Scottish environment. Asian music, performance and dance feature alongside traditional artforms, crafts for sale and a chance to mingle with people from Scotland and abroad.

Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
When: (Dates tbc) Where:Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch
The Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival aims to showcase the very best of Scottish food and drink against the stunning backdrop of Loch Lomond. The festival features a range of Scottish food companies as well as the Experience Whisky tent and the Loch Lomond Real Ale Festival.

Black Bottle Islay Jazz Festival
When: (Dates tbc) Where: Islay
An extraordinary and unique festival presenting the best jazz in the most unusual, atmospheric and inspirational venues. World-class musicians play in island venues that include distilleries, bird sanctuaries, stately homes, village halls, a gaelic college, and even the internet cafe in Port Ellen.

Carrbridge Live
When: (Dates tbc) Where: Carrbridge, Highlands
A five-day arts and music festival providing an eclectic combination of traditional and contemporary music, a spectacular street carnival, guided walk, mountain bike tour to places of local historical interestplus sports and fringe events

Creetown Country Music Festival
When: (Dates tbc) Where: Creetown, Dumfries & Galloway
Scotland's No. 1 country music festival, with something for all music lovers. From the Festival Kick-off through to the final chords and stomps on Sunday night, you can expect to hear some of the best country music artists in Britain, performing live in this beautiful and friendly corner of Scotland.

The Scottish Hydro Electric Centenary Camanachd Cup Final
When: (Dates tbc) Where: Inverness
The Scottish Hydro Electric Camanachd Cup holds a unique place in the hearts and minds of shinty players and their communities. It is the senior knockout competition; a sporting event of national significance, the winners styling themselves 'Scottish Champions'. The magnificent silver trophy has been described as a 'national treasure'.

Darvel Music Festival
When: (Dates tbc) Where: Darvel, Ayrshire
The Darvel Music Festival is one of cultural highlights of the south west, with more than 30 acts offering a truly eclectic mix of styles from traditional to indie pop, including Hue and Cry, Richmond Fontaine, Capercaillie, Phil Cunningham, Peter Cox (ex-Go West) The Bluetones and The Hedrons.

John Lennon Northern Lights Festival
When: (Dates tbc) Where: Durness, Sutherland
Billed as the most extraordinary festival in Britain - endorsed by John Lennon's family. Three days of top popular, classical, jazz and traditional Scottish music in Lennon's Highland hideaway. Plus, poets, artists, luxury mobile cinema, Beatles exhibition and talks from Lennon's family. Even a rave in Britain's biggest sea cave, children's entertainment and a major sheepdog trial!

Highland Feast
When: (Dates tbc) Where: Various venues across the Highlands
Highland Feast is a two-week food and drink festival showcasing the best of each from across the Highlands. This year's epicurean programme features all the usual gastronomic delights from gourmet dinners, afternoon teas, free tastingss, culinary demonstrations and seafood cruises to whisky tasting, beer festivals and lively entertainment, all hosted at high-quality venues throughout this dramatically distinctive region.

East Neuk Seafood Celebration
When: 13th August - 28th September 2008 Where: East Neuk, Fife
A celebration indeed, of the finest fare of this lovely part of the Kingdom of Fife. The region's top restaurants and inns will be running promotions, tastings and cookery demonstrations so you can sample some of the best seafood in the country.