Glow Neon Fun Run

Glow Neon Fun Run

Ayr and Edinburgh, Saturday and Sunday

Party like it's 1989 at this rave-inspired 3K running event, coming to Ayr's Dam Park on Saturday and Edinburgh's Meadowbank Stadium on Sunday. Starting after dark and open to everyone aged 10 and up, participants have to tackle seven-and-a-half laps of the track under UV lighting whilst being sprayed by jets of luminous water - all to a belting DJ soundtrack. Organised in aid of the RNIB, the run is also accessible to blind and partially sighted entrants. Register for £10. http://bit.ly/10msybP

Perthshire Amber Festival

Across Perthshire from tomorrow

Tickets are selling fast for the 10th anniversary year of this autumn festival celebrating the landscape, heritage and music of Perthshire. Running until a week on Sunday, this year's bill includes Scottish and overseas stars such as Eddi Reader, The Paperboys, and Rachel Sermanni - with Festival founder Dougie Maclean also featuring in a special concert alongside the RSNO. Elsewhere, there are spin-off workshops, talks, guided walks and open mic sessions, including Saturday's Heritage Afternoon at Stanley Hill in Dunkeld, which features historical demonstrations, ancient weaponry, and medieval cookery. www.perthshireamber.com

Tweed Valley Forest Festival

Across Tweeddale, from tomorrow

To the Borders for another 10-day seasonal spectacular, front-loaded with a weekend of events in Peebles, including the town's annual wood market, featuring everything from handcrafted toys to chainsaw art and children's activities. Visitors can also sample the wares of a variety of local food and drink producers at Peebles Food Festival, and catch the 8th Scottish Conker Championships, smashing off at noon on Saturday. Meanwhile, fright fans can take ghost tours of Selkirk's Bowhill Estate and Innerleithen's Traquair House, which also hosts Sunday's Hallowe'en Fun Day. www.forest-festival.com

Scottish Homebuilding and Renovation Show

Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Saturday and Sunday

Ideas a-plenty for creative and adventurous DIY fans planning that next big project, as the largest consumer show of its type in Scotland comes east for the first time. Along with an opportunity to peruse stands from more than 80 exhibitors, would-be Grand Designers can bring along drawings, meet building experts and architects, and attend seminars on a variety of home improvement topics. There are also drop-in advice clinics covering interior design and planning. Open both days from 10am, tickets are £8-£12. edinburgh.homebuildingshow.co.uk

Crafts For Christmas and Hobby Crafts

SECC, Glasgow, until Sunday

It might be kind of early, but this hobby-tastic two-fer promises festive nirvana to homemade gift fanatics and organised shoppers alike. Crafts For Christmas combines shopping, product showcases, and seasonal food and drink with wintery craft demonstrations. Stitching and creative crafts take centre stage at Hobby Crafts, which focuses on jewellery, knitting, beading and greetings card making, with plenty of experts on hand for tips and advice, as well as the chance to stock up on supplies from 150 exhibitors. Tickets are £8-£9. www.ichfevents.co.uk

Spooky Hallowe'en Weekend

Scone Palace, Perthshire, Saturday and Sunday

One of many historic properties around Scotland marking Hallowe'en early, Scone Palace is encouraging visitors to come along dressed up as witches and wizards this weekend - and offering prizes for the best costumes. There are also Horrible History Tours of the palace grounds, plus appropriately eerie performances from Alba Puppet Crew between noon and 3pm on both days. Entertainment also includes scary facepainting, outdoor games, apple dooking, and Hallowe'en pottery painting with local ceramics experts For Arts Sake. Entry is £4.40-£6.30 with children under 4 free. scone-palace.co.uk

Scottish International Storytelling Festival

Edinburgh, from tomorrow

Explore the creative connections between Scotland, Europe, North America and the Pacific region with ten days of events celebrating traditional storytelling. Pitched at adults as well as children, the Festival's 70 events encompass storytelling ceilidhs, landscape tours, talks, and specially commissioned performances in venues around the city. Among highlights are a variety of events showcasing Edinburgh's spooky side in the run up to Hallowe'en, plus a Festival on Tour strand bringing elements of the programme out of the capital to other towns and cities across Scotland. www.tracscotland.rod/festivals

Dundee Literary Festival

Dundee, until Sunday

Launched yesterday and based mainly in Dundee University's Bonar Hall, this annual festival of books and writing features the likes of bestselling novelist Michael Faber, broadcasting authors James Naughtie and Richard Gordon, and punk survivor Viv Albertine - plus a rash of workshops, talks and discussions to help get the creative juices flowing. There's also fresh talent to discover at a series of author showcases, a free kids drop-in on Saturday featuring storytelling, facepainting and crafty colouring-in, plus Sunday's annual Dundee Comics Day, saluting the best new comics and graphic novels. www.literarydundee.co.uk

Cathcart Model Railway Exhibition

Pollokshaws Burgh Halls, Glasgow, Saturday and Sunday

Train buffs and children big and small are advised to make tracks for one of Scotland's long-running model rail expos, held in Glasgow's south side over the last weekend in October since 1968. Organised by three of the West of Scotland's biggest model rail societies, the show will feature a range of railroad and scenery layouts from across the country, plus traders selling new and used items. From 10am to 5pm on both days, tickets are £4.50 for adults and £2 for children. www.onemrc.co.uk/cathcart

An Fheis Mhor - Scotland's Festival of Paddlesport

Perth, Friday to Sunday

Scottish Canoe Association's annual show has been expanded to a free Homecoming Scotland-endorsed three day extravaganza this year, taking place at Perth Leisure Pool and the adjacent Dewars Centre from tomorrow. As well as demonstrations, talks and workshops from canoe and kayak experts, there are come and try sessions open to seasoned paddlers as well as newcomers to the sport. The weekend's programme also includes film screenings, an exhibitor and retail hall, canoe water polo matches and a ceilidh. canoescotland.org

Don't Miss

Creepy Crawlies

Edinburgh Zoo, until Sunday

We're not all lucky enough to come face-to-face with nature's nasties while routing around in the fruit bowl. Running daily from 9am to 3pm, Edinburgh Zoo's exotic insect drop-in sessions eliminate the unpredictability and terror from the enterprise. Free with Zoo entry (£12-£16.50, under 3s free). www.edinburghzoo.org.uk