1.
Record Store Day
Countrywide, Saturday
With the country in the grip of a vinyl revival - so much so that the Official Charts Company is to launch a weekly single and album chart dedicated to the format - what better way to spend a Saturday than at your local indie record shop.
Born in the USA, Record Store Day came into being when 700 independent stores came together to celebrate their unique culture. We soon followed suit and this is the eight year for the UK event. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and artists make special appearances and performances. Check out what is happening at your local. Stores in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hawick, Paisley, Stirling, Aberdeen, Perth, Inverness, Ayr and Dumfries are taking part. See www.recordstoreday.co.uk.
2. Glasgow Vet School Rodeo
Garscube Estate, Glasgow, Saturday
Get down and dirty at the 55th Annual RODEO, hosted by Glasgow University Veterinary Medical Association. The event is the University of Glasgow's largest charity event and is organised by vet students to raise money for animal welfare-related organisations such as Dog's Trust, Cat's Protection, and Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
In the main arena, Sled Dog Welfare will be doing demonstrations with their huskies, Drakes of Hazard will be slowly off some unusual herding skills and there will be a falconry display by Strathblane Falconry. Elsewhere, canine visitors can get a piece of the action by taking part in the annual dog show or going for it in the Doggy Dash. There will be horse shows from Riders of the Storm and farrier demonstrations while visitors can go for carriage rides and pony treks. Entry is £7 for adults, £3 for children (over 3). Open from 11am until 5pm. www.facebook.com/Rodeo2015
3. Aye Write
Mitchell Library, Glasgow, From tomorrow until Saturday, April 25
The tenth instalment of the Aye Write festival kicks off tomorrow and boasts an impressive line-up of names. This weekend sees the "third funniest woman in the world" Helen Lederer discuss her debut novel Losing It and Julian Baggini wonder, Do We Really Have Free Will? Ian Rankin will be discussing the translation of his Rebus books into Gaelic and Irvine Welsh makes his festival debut tomorrow night. Taggart star Alex Norton will be telling entertaining tales from his journey from the Gorbals to Hollywood while Comedian Karen Dunbar shares her best-loved books. In addition, catch GQ editor Dylan Jones on rock star Jim Morrison and broadcaster Tessa Dunlop shares her interviews with the Bletchley Girls; fifteen veterans spoke to Dunlop about how they outsmarted the enemy during WWII and their recollections are captured on audio and video clips. www.ayewrite.com
4. Calderglen Weird and Wonderful Wildlife
Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride, until Friday
Encourage your kids to get up close to nature during this week's series of wildlife-themed attractions, talks and events entitled Weird and Wonderful Wildlife. The programme is aimed at children of all ages and will highlight ways in which we can all become more wildlife friendly. The event will help children to encourage native animals into their garden and they will get a chance to make cakes for wild birds and butterflies. They can also learn what it is like to be a park ranger for the day and to take part in creepy crawly safaris. Open 11am to 4pm daily. Activities are £1 each. www.visitlanarkshire.com/events/other/easter-at-calderglen
5. Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival
Tower Mill, Hawick, today until Sunday
Heart of Hawick, the central venue and festival hub, has worked with Alchemy Film & Arts to produce this international festival of experimental short film and artists' moving image. Now in its fifth year, the theme for this year's event is the 'Spiritus Mundi', a historical term for the "World Soul" or "Spirit of the World." which organisers say relates to a spirit of universality and internationalism. Events include screenings with film-makers in attendance, live cinema and ten moving image installations in several disused spaces and empty buildings around the town. Tickets are £4 per event. Call the booking office on 01450 360688. www.alchemyfilmfestival.org.uk
6. The Green Lady @ Edinburgh Dungeon
Edinburgh city centre, every day
The capital's scariest attraction has a new ghoul with which to scare the life out of visitors. Enter the Green Lady. The brand new show tells a tale of betrayal, revenge and death. Featuring a brutal crime of passion, it is known as Edinburgh's greatest ghost story. You have been warned.
The Edinburgh Dungeon is an 80 minute journey through 1000 years of Scotland's gruesome history brought to life through story-telling, two underground rides and bone-chillingly immersive sets including the Caves of Galloway, plague-ridden closes and a torture chamber. Opening hours are 10am until 5pm daily. The new show is included within standard entry; adult, £125/£16.95, child £9.80/£12.95. www.thedungeons.com
7. Lads n Dads Survival Course
Mugdock Country Park, Milngavie, Sunday
Time for some male bonding as fathers and sons spend a day together learning new skills. In true Bear Grylls style, tasks will include fire lighting, animal tracking, shelter building and finding food for free. The idea is to learn lifelong skills which can eventually be passed on to the next generation, the true essence of Bushcraft. Sessions are from10am-12.30pm and 1pm to 3.30pm. Cost £15 for one adult and one child, additional children £7.50 each. Booking is essential. www.mugdock-country-park.org.uk
8. Dino Park
Carrutherstown, Dumfries, daily
Now open for the summer, Scotland's very own Jurassic-park style attraction offers a glimpse of the world 150 million years ago and the chance to discover the giants who roamed the earth. Kids can take a trip through the Dino Mine, hear stories and facts in the Dino Den, dig for fossils and finally burn off some energy on the bouncy dinosaur.
During the month of April, search for the pictures of baby dinosaurs hatching out of their eggs dotted around the park and on during the holidays and weekends there will be Easter egg decorating between 11am and 2.30pm. Open daily from 10am until 5pm. Admission; kids (2+) £5, adults (14 +) £3. www.dinopark.co.uk
9. Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run
Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Sunday
Okay, so the registration for this event closed some time ago but you can still take to the streets of the capital to cheer on the runners taking part as you chow down on your bacon roll. Launched in 2005, the 10-mile run around the city attracts around 5000 participants running to raise money for their favoured charity. The run starts and finishes at Holyrood and the route takes in sights including Greyfriars Bobby, the Royal Mile, the Scott Monument and Edinburgh Castle. From 9.30am. www.greatrun.org/great-edinburgh-run
10. Easter Egg Excitement
Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Livingston, until Monday
Where better to enjoy the first signs of Spring than down on the farm. Almond Valley is buzzing with the cheeps and bleats of new arrivals, who will be introduced to kids at handling sessions. The Easter-themed fun continues until Monday so grab your clue sheet, sharpen your pencil, and tear around the farm collecting clues on the springtime trail and keep a look out for hidden eggs that might win you a prize. In the craft area kids can make bonnets, masks and springtime decorations. Open daily from 10am until 5pm. Entry is adults £6.50, children (3 to 15) and seniors £5.
www.almondvalley.co.uk
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