Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Across Glasgow, from today
A lucky thirteenth year for an event which has grown to become the largest of its type in Europe, with 400 shows in 46 venues over the next 18 days. Expect some of the biggest performers in comedy from home and abroad, plus drama, film screenings, and a selection of events for kids. As ever, an eclectic bill spans household names such as Jimmy Carr, Dylan Moran, and Al Murray, cult favourites like Rich Hall, John Shuttleworth and Stewart Lee, and homegrown heroes including Fred MacAulay, Dorothy Paul, and Susan Calman. www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com
Artist Rooms: Roy Lichtenstein
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh from Saturday
Showing as part of the Modern One complex's Reflections programme - new and changing displays from internationally acclaimed contemporary artists - this new three-room installation offers a handy primer on the work of celebrated US pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. Famous for his huge, comic-book-inspired canvases, the exhibition presents 16 large scale prints of work by the artist - a contemporary of Andy Warhol - alongside other works from throughout his career, including iconic 1960s paintings In The Car, and Wall Explosion. Open daily until next January, entry is free. www.nationalgalleries.org
The Mighty Deerstalker
Traquair House, Innerleithen, Saturday
If you're the kind of person that laughs in the face of dirt and regular soakings in the name of fitness, this off-road running event, declared to be the toughest in the UK, could be for you. The race involves navigating a course strewn with punishing natural and man-made obstacles at either 5K or 10K distances, the latter tackled after dark. The fun part? Participants are encouraged to do so dressed in tweed. Cost is £50 for the 5K and £60 for the 10K - last year sold out, so don't hang around. www.mightydeerstalker.com
Disney On Ice
AECC, Aberdeen, until Sunday
The latest incarnation of Disney's ice dancing spectacular, Magic Ice Festival, started a tour of UK arenas in Aberdeen yesterday. Featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and reindeer sidekick Sven from monster animated hit Frozen for the first time, the popular skate show also features routines based on The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Tangled. With eight performances between today and Sunday, tickets are £24.30-£45.20. The show also returns to Scotland for a nine-show stint at the Hydro in Glasgow from March 26 (tickets from £14). www.disney.co.uk/disney-on-ice/magical-ice-festival
Glasgow Short Film Festival
GFT and CCA, Glasgow, until Sunday
More usually a curtain-raiser for the Glasgow Film Festival, this long weekend of bite-sized cinema has this year been spun off into a new mid-March slot. Now the biggest short film showcase in Scotland, the GSFF features an array of screenings and special events focusing on filmmakers from home and abroad - including two programmes of new work from Ukraine. Elsewhere, there's a comedy strand hosted by Greg Hemphill, a selection of shorts for families, and the chance end the festival in style at Sunday's award winners event. Tickets available from £6. www.glasgowfilm.org/gsff
Edinburgh Yarn Festival
Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Saturday and Sunday
Billed as Scotland's biggest urban yarn and fibre event, this two-day celebration of knitting, crochet and spinning returns upgraded for 2015 with a bigger venue, more workshops and a huge market packed with wool, books, patterns and supplies from more than 100 exhibitors from across the UK. Running from 10am on both days, tickets are £8 or £12 for the weekend. For those who'd like to like to stay on make a night of it, high wool count soiree Ca-Baa-Ret! (£17) follows directly on from the show on Saturday. www.edinyarnfest.com
Dumfries and Galloway Environmental Fair
Crichton Campus, Dumfries, Saturday
Mark the emergence of spring with this free family day out bringing together the best of south west Scotland's natural environment. With a range of indoor and outdoor activities, stalls and attractions from more than 50 local and national organisations, visitors will have the chance to make and take home crafty projects, drive an Eco car, take part in games, find wildlife and investigate nature. Organised by Dumfries and Galloway Countryside Rangers and students from the University of Glasgow, the event takes at the Rutherford McCowan Building from 10.30am to 3pm. www.facebook.com/EnvironmentFair
Young At Heart Festival
Across South Lanarkshire, from today
Held across 18 venues, South Lanarkshire's 10th annual arts festival for over 50s runs from today until March 21. This year's programme includes comedy, theatre, classic film screenings, photography and craft workshops, heritage events, a series of free music recitals, plus gigs from the likes of Horse and Midge Ure. Highlights of this first weekend include a Big Band Ball at Rutherglen Town Hall on Saturday, and Sunday's Arts in the Park - a day of fun and free activities for grandparents and older relatives and their families in Chatelherault Country Park. www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/SLLC/info/450/festivals/753/young_at_heart_festival
The Spirits of Newhailes
Newhailes House, Musselburgh, tomorrow
Something of a hidden treasure, Newhailes is a surprisingly well-preserved 300-year-old neo-Palladian villa on the outskirts of Edinburgh. With deceptively large grounds and enough rough edges to make it interesting, Newhailes is also the perfect place to be scared stupid - as is the aim of this special Friday the 13th storytelling tour. Exploring the property's darker side - spirits, curses, witches, massacre and death - the event is suitable for over 8s and runs in three slots from 6pm. Tickets for adults are £13 and children £7. www.nts.org.uk/Property/Newhailes
British Science Week in Aberdeen
Aberdeen, from tomorrow
The UK's annual celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths is back, and one of the best places to experience it is actually in Aberdeen, with the city's branch of the British Science Association laying on a series of talks, workshops and hands-on activities. This weekend, there are tours of Robert Gordon University's Riverside East Building, an owl and wildlife day at Haddo House, and family outdoor activities at Camphill School. Further ahead, look out for a Science Pub Quiz, an exhibition of some of the most impressive new images in science, and a Family Discovery Day at Satrosphere. www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/xev_EventDetail.asp?id=7858
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