BY sheer coincidence, United Kingdom Armed Forces Day will be celebrated next June in Scotland.

Stirling is the venue for an opportunity to wave Union flags and feel better together in the run-up to the referendum on Scottish independence.

Do not be surprised to hear that next year's All-England Tennis Championships will be held not at Wimbledon but in Dunblane. As a tribute to Andy Murray, of course, and in no way a Unionist ploy.

The organisers of the Henley Royal Regatta say they have always wanted to row their boats past the leafy banks of the river Clyde with its lovely views of Gorbals. Which is why they will switch their event to Glasgow Green for 2014. The polis will lift the ban on alfresco bevvy to allow Pimm's in the park.

It's a fair bet the UK Grand National will be moved from Aintree to Ayr. The Epsom Derby will decamp to Hamilton and Royal Ascot will be at Perth racecourse. Handy for Highland hooray Hamishes.

Cowes Week will be based in Greenock. The weather may not be as good as the Isle of Wight's but yachties will be impressed by the warm welcome extended to sailors by female Greenockians.

The Blackpool Illuminations will be transferred to Millport, with the big switch-on the weekend before referendum polling day. We will be brighter together.

The London to Brighton veteran car rally will run from Paisley to Ardrossan with a vintage Hillman Imp drive-past where there used to be a car factory in Linwood. The Dundee by-pass will host the Isle of Man TT race.

Scotland will play a major role in next year's celebrations of William Shakespeare's 450th birthday. Strathaven has been chosen as venue for the British bard festivities as it name starts with Strat and almost finishes upon avon.

The 2014 Inverness Mod will be brought forward from October to early September and held in conjunction with the Eisteddfod to prove we're better together, even with the Welsh. Glyndebourne opera festival will be held in Ruchill Park, Glasgow, sponsored by Buckfast.

Look out for stand-up appearances by members of the Royal Family at the Duke of Edinburgh Comedy Festival in August. The Queen says we're all welcome at Holyrood Palace for tea and scones and a chat about the referendum.

News just in: David Cameron will take the salute at the World Morris Dancing Championships in Larkhall.