Wee Write Family Day
Mitchell Library, Glasgow, March 2-7
Younger readers are the focus of this inspirational primer for Glasgow's spring literary festival Aye Write, which returns for a 10th year next month. Capping a week of free events in schools around the city, Saturday's Family Day includes a mix of free drop-in activities and ticketed events costing £5. These include sessions with the likes of Katie Morag creator Mairi Hedderwick, a live show based on the Diary of A Wimpy Kid series and a Mad Hatter's Tea Party celebrating 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland. www.ayewrite.com/wee-write
StAnza 2015
St Andrews, until Sunday
Scotland's only festival dedicated to live poetry and the spoken word is underway now in north-east Fife - with over 100 events including performances, readings, music, drama and talks, workshops, open mic events, exhibitions and installations running across the weekend. Among a line-up of 70 international poets are the multi award-winning Simon Armitage, New Zealand's inaugural Poet Laureate Bill Manhire, American Carol Forche, Jamaican born Kei Miller. Based at the Byre Theatre, events are also held in other venues around the town, including the Town Hall and St Johns, a mediaeval undercroft. www.stanzapoetry.org
Meadows Marathon
Edinburgh city centre, Saturday
What this cult running event lacks in sweeping city vistas, it makes up for in compact charm and accessibility. Instead of taking place on the celebrated streets of the capital, it's instead tackled as laps of the Meadows park - up to 14 of them, depending on the distance attempted. Open to everyone from beginners to hardened road warriors, there's the option of entering in 5K Fun Run, half, or full marathon races, as well as a new 10K event. Entry costs £15-£40, with discounts granted to particularly effective charity fundraisers. www.meadowsmarathon.org.uk
Pass It On Week
St Enoch Centre, Glasgow, Saturday and Sunday
Glasgow's St Enoch shopping centre is hosting this weekend vintage fashion and interiors showcase as part of Pass It On Week, a new national campaign aimed at reducing the huge volumes of reusable goods ending up in Scottish landfill sites every year. Running all day on Saturday and Sunday, the event will encourage thrifty fashion fans to swap, share and donate unwanted items. Compared by TV design bod John Amabile, attractions include a pop-up swap shop, fashion shows, and workshops on re-using and repairing clothes and furniture. www.passitonweek.com
Carole Nash MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show
Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, Saturday and Sunday
Scotland's biggest motorcycle show roars back into Ingliston with another weekend of hi-octane entertainment for bike enthusiasts of all ages. As well as all the latest models from the world's biggest manufacturers, there's also the chance browse and buy from an enormous range of spare parts, accessories, helmets, leathers, and boots, while entertainment includes live stunt riding action, a custom bike show, and a Honda-sponsored junior bike track for children aged 5-11. Also on display will be Scotland's biggest collection of classic and vintage motorcycles, some up to 80 years old. Open from 9am to 5pm on both days, tickets for the show are £10-£16. www.scottishmotorcycleshow.com
Hobbycrafts
SECC, Glasgow, Thursday to Sunday
This massive four-day exhibition and consumer show covers all things crafty, from stitching and knitting to beading and jewellery making, with all the latest supplies, ideas and innovations in the creative crafting world. As well as a chance to visit stands from nearly 300 exhibitors, there's a myriad of free workshops, talks and demonstrations, as well as a display of costumes seen in TV hit Mr Selfridge. Also included with admission is entry to the first ever Stitching Sewing and Quilting Show, shining the spotlight on the work of Scottish quilters with displays, competitions and more. Adults are £7.50-£9.50, kids under 16 go free. www.ichfevents.co.uk
Italian Film Festival in Scotland
Across Scotland, from tomorrow
The best in contemporary and classic film from the land of La Dolce Vita, screening at cinemas in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Inverness. Running until March 19, the 22nd IFF promises a mix of hilarious comedies, insightful dramas, seat-edge thrillers, and works from award-winning directors such as Ermanno Olmi, Gianni Amelio, and Matteo Martone. Other highlights include two dinner-and-movie showings of 1960 Clark Gable-Sofia Loren comedy drama It Started in Naples, as well as a special focus on Palme d'Or-winning filmmaker Francesco Rosi, who died in January. www.italianfilmfestival.org.uk
Blood Sweat and Gears
Riverside Museum, Glasgow, daily
Relive the highs of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with this exclusive new exhibition tracing the journey of Scottish para-cyclists Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston to double silver medal success on the track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome last summer. Following the duo's story from earliest preparation to the podium, articles on show include the pair's tandem bike and race suits, the Queen's Baton, medals and sporting equipment used at the Games, and one of 25 statues made of Glasgow 2014 mascot Clyde. events.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/blood-sweat-and-gears
Davis Cup
Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Friday to Sunday
Speaking of the Games, the return of the 'world cup of tennis' to Scotland is a particularly timely one for action-starved fans after a tennis-free Glasgow 2014. This weekend's World Group match sees a repeat of the pairing between Great Britain and the USA at the same stage of the competition last year, won by an Andy Murray-inspired GB in San Diego. A limited number of tickets are still available to cheer on the team, which features both the world number 3 and brother Jamie for the first time since 2011. www.emiratesarena.co.uk
Dunbar SciFest Family Weekend
Various venues in Dunbar, Saturday and Sunday
An early curtain-raiser for British Science Week (March 13-22), Dunbar's weekend-long community science festival for families also continues to inspire. This year's impressive programme includes drop-in sessions spanning everything from computer programming to the chemistry of light, four different live science-themed stage shows, some 75 workshops, an under fives zone, and a visit from the University of Edinburgh's Scottish Science and Technology Roadshow. Running from 10am-5pm each day, day tickets are available from £5 (£3 kids, £15 family), with related events including a Magic Lantern Lightshow at Barns Ness Lighthouse (Friday-Sunday, £4-£6). http://dunbarscifest.org.uk
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