1 Big Day Out
Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Saturday and Sunday
Edinburgh's largest family event features a variety of workshops, demonstrations and activities for adults and children alike. The little nippers can get involved in sporting events, face-painting, wood crafts, balloon-modelling and cupcake decorating galore, while parents can occupy themselves with a spot of shopping or a pamper session as well as a host of other activities, talks and demos. An Early Bird family ticket for four costs £18. Activities cost £2.50 if booked in advance, although there is also a variety which are free. www.edinburghbigdayout.com
2 Good Food Show Scotland
SECC, Glasgow, Friday to Sunday
The ultimate weekend for food lovers returns as the BBC serves up another helping of its food and drink extravaganza, the Good Food Show Scotland. Great British Bake Off stars Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry and last year's finalist James Morton feature, as well as celebrity chefs including James Martin, John Torode and Tom Kitchen. Visitors can also gorge themselves on a whole host of demonstrations, culinary attractions and exhibitions showing off the best of UK and Scottish produce. www.bbcgoodfoodshowscotland.com
3 Aye Write!
The Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow, Friday and Saturday
Glasgow's Book Festival makes a return this weekend by hosting a series of events in partnership with the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (SMHAFF). The festival, which runs throughout Scotland in October, aims to support the arts while challenging preconceived ideas about mental health. Teaming up with Aye Write! for the first time ever, the programme features speakers including Alasdair Gray, Denise Mina and Don Paterson, one of Scotland's foremost poets. Tickets are £5 (plus a booking fee) unless otherwise stated. A limited number of day passes are available for £10.
www.ayewrite.com/programme/smhaff
4 Discovery Film Festival
Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee, from Saturday
A team of youngsters aged 15-18 have tailor-made this festival to bring a selection of the best films from around the world to a young Scottish audience. Based at Dundee Contemporary Arts, it has been on the go for a decade and features film screenings, creative activities and gala events. This weekend includes a create-a-character workshop and the UK Premier of the mystery thriller, Victor and the Secret of Crocodile Mansion (for ages eight upwards) as well as festival's tenth birthday party after the film for all who attend. www.discoveryfilmfestival.org.uk
5 Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Various venues, Edinburgh, from Friday
The world's leading storytelling festival touches down in Edinburgh this weekend, waiting to transport listeners to different worlds through a host of live performances, talks, workshops, lectures and exhibitions. The 2013 festival explores the role of wandering storytellers, minstrels, explorers and pilgrims, and is a good opportunity to learn more about Scotland's oral tradition. Based mainly at the Storytelling Centre's Netherbow Theatre on the Royal Mile, there is also a full day of performances taking place this Saturday at the National Museum of Scotland. www.tracscotland.org/festivals/scottish-international-storytelling-festival
6 Royal National Mod
Paisley, until Saturday
This weekend is the last chance to experience Scotland's annual Gaelic festival, which finishes up this Saturday. Sample the best of the Mod at the traditional Mod Convener's ceilidh tonight at the Wynd Centre or celebrate the last night in style with an evening of Highland music provided by CherryGrove and the Vatersay Boys. Saturday morning brings the much-loved Massed Choir event, where all the choirs gather to say goodbye to the Mod and Paisley hands over to the host of the next Mod, Inverness.
7 Woodland Discovery Weekend
Satrosphere Science Centre, Aberdeen, Saturday and Sunday
Scotland's first science and discovery centre is offering outdoor enthusiasts a chance to try their hand at wood skills during a weekend devoted to trees and forestry. Local craftsmen will demonstrate chainsaw carving and there will be a variety of stalls and activities based on the conservation and sustainable use of Scotland's natural woodland. There is also the chance to see Satrosphere's new Ash Dieback exhibit, which is visiting from the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. Entry is included in the admission price, £5.75 for adults and £4.50 for children. www.satrosphere.net
8 Biggar Little Festival
Biggar, South Lanarkshire, from today
A small town giving it large, the Biggar Little Festival opens this weekend bringing together an eclectic mix of music dance, arts and crafts, literature and drama over ten days. There are 50 events to sample across the festival period, many of which are free. Kicking things off in style is former Manfred Mann star Paul Jones who is joined by Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen in Saturday night's headline concert. Sunday's Biggar Day Out features street entertainment and a Festival Fair. www.biggar-little-festival.com
9 Unsolved Festival
Various venues, Aberdeenshire, Saturday and Sunday
A weekend of crime, mystery and intrigue is being hosted by the National Trust for Scotland at various properties throughout the region. Renowned author and historian Allan Burnett takes a behind-the-scenes-look at Castle Fraser in a tour delving into the dark side of the castle's past. Leith Hall, Fyvie Castle and Haddo House also feature. Writer events include talks by authors Alanna Knight, Janet Morgan and James Oswald. www.nts.org.uk/Unsolved
10 European Open Judo Championships 2013
Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Saturday and Sunday
See some of the best judoka in the flesh this weekend for two days of non-stop action. Some of Great Britain's top male contenders, including London 2012 Olympians, take to the tatami in the championships, which is the biggest ever judo event to be held in Scotland. It's also chance to see the world-class, 7000-seat Emirates Arena if you haven't already, ahead of its starring role in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Day tickets cost £15 for adults (£7.50 concessions) if booked ahead. www.britishjudo.org.uk/glasgow2013
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