The Glasgow Real Ale Festival
The Briggait, Glasgow, Thu-Sat
A year on from being successfully revived for the first time in two decades, the latest Glasgow Real Ale Festival takes place over three days in the Merchant City's architecturally stunning historic Briggait. Organised by CAMRA's Glasgow and West Coast branch in association with craft beer company Fyne Ales, drinkers can sample 100 different real ales from some of Scotland, Wales and England's most interesting breweries, plus an impressive selection of ciders and foreign beers. Tickets for each of the weekend's three sessions are £6 (£4 CAMRA members). www.glasgowrealalefestival.co.uk
Loch Fyne Viking Festival
Loch Fyne, Fri-Sun
Featuring a replica longship built by volunteers in Tarbert, this three-day living history event will see the re-creation of Viking raids at villages around Loch Fyne. Inspired by the 1093 invasion of Kintyre by Norwegian king Magnus Barefoot, a Viking settlement will be set up at each stop along the way with battle re-enactments, archery demonstrations, and performances from Swedish Viking band Medvind. The longboat visits Lochgilhead and Ardrishaig on Friday, Tarbert on Saturday, and Portvadie on Sunday. Following the Ardishaig raid, there's also a rowing race to Tarbert in the evening. www.facebook.com/LochFyneVikingFestival
Edinburgh International Magic Festival
Various venues in Edinburgh, from Fri
Brought under the official Edinburgh Festivals banner for the first time with the aim of bringing live magic to summer audiences in the capital, the UK's premier magic showcase returns for its sixth year with its biggest programme yet. The eight-day festival is centred on Summerhall, which hosts the bulk of this year's 100-plus shows along with special events, exhibitions, and a trick shop. Highlights include appearances from R Paul Wilson, Morgan & West, plus a magic dinner and a closing night Festival Theatre variety gala. www.magicfest.co.uk
Moffat Classic Car Rally
Moffat, Dumfriesshire, Sat-Sun
Scotland's biggest classic car showcase returns to Moffat for an 18th year. Featuring entries from across the UK, France and Germany, the event attracts thousands of auto enthusiasts every year. Saturday features a mass road run with 300 cars, leaving the town centre in groups of 60 every 15 minutes from noon. Sunday's more conventional motor show takes place at Moffat Showground from 10.30am, with attractions including a display of up to 900 historic cars and bikes, along with auto jumble, trade stands, live entertainment, and children's activities. www.sre-scot.co.uk
Edinburgh Canal Festival & Raft Race
Lochrin Basin, Edinburgh, Saturday
Taking place on and beside the Union Canal in Fountainbridge, this colourful community-run family day out features boat trips, water walkers, canoe polo, and water sports taster sessions - as well as loads of land-based entertainment such as stalls, bouncy castles, and exotic animal handling. Up to 24 teams will also compete in the 9th annual raft race, with a range of glittering prizes for the fastest and daftest home-made crafts. Starting with a mini flotilla from nearby Harrison Park at 11.30am, the main event is open from midday. www.edinburghcanalfestival.org.uk
Scottish Kids Show
AECC, Aberdeen, Sat-Sun
This two-day family lifestyle exhibition has the latest products, services, toys, gifts and gadgets along with plenty of advice and information for parents and kids aged up to 16 years. Among exhibitors are organisations such as Satrosphere Science Centre, Aberdeen Sports Village, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, NHS Grampian, and National Trust for Scotland. Entertainment includes fashion shows and performances from entertainers The Puppet Gang and kids rock band Sharky Sharky. Open both days from 10am to 5pm, tickets on the door are £7.50-£10 for adults, with children under 16 free. www.scottishkidsshow.com
Piping At Forres
Grant Park, Forres, Sat
The Moray town of Forres welcomes thousands of traditional musicians and more than 100 bands from Scotland, England, Ireland and Belgium for the Highlands' biggest piping event of the year. More formally known as the European Pipe Band Championships, the day also includes highland dancing, a craft and retail village, funfair rides, and activities for children. Local food and drink is also to the fore, with a range of stalls from local producers, no fewer than five beer tents, and the final of the World Tattie Scone Competition. Entry is £8-£12.50, with under 12s free. www.pipingatforres.com
The Amazing World of MC Escher
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art,
Edinburgh, from Saturday
Another early taster for the Edinburgh Art Festival, this new exhibition turns the spotlight on enigmatic Dutch graphic artist MC Escher - famed for his mind-bending pictures of geometrically impossible scenes. Drawn from the collection of the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague, which holds an almost complete collection of his work, the exhibition puts on display nearly 100 prints and drawings spanning his entire career. Running for the next three months at Modern Two, tickets are £7-£9. Edinburgh Art Festival returns at the end of July. www.nationalgalleries.org
Glasgow International Jazz Festival
Glasgow, until Sunday
Jazz, blues, funk and soul fans will be spoiled for choice over another high quality weekend of gigs in and around the Merchant City. With appearances from home grown favourites such as Federation of the Disco Pimp, Hamish Stuart, and the SNJO with Eddi Reader, international names include New York composer and performer Taylor McFerrin, Motown legend Gladys Knight, and Brazilian music veteran Marcos Valle. Elsewhere, Frank Sinatra Jr brings his father's music to a new generation a quarter of a century on from Ol' Blue Eyes' famous Ibrox Stadium show. jazzfest.co.uk
Scottish Model Airshow
Stathaven Airfield, South Lanarkshire, Sat-Sun
Marvel at the spectacular mid-air manoeuvres of a range of amazing aircraft at this mini aeronautical extravaganza. Featuring the best large-scale flying models and pilots from around the country, the show spans the history of aviation from early stick and canvas biplanes to modern jets. There's also a model bring and buy sale, trade and food stalls, and free parking. Organised jointly by the Large Model Association and the Scottish Aeromodellers Association and open from 10am to 5pm, entry costs £6-£7 (kids £4). Profits will be donated to the Kilbryde and St Andrew's Hospices. www.largemodelassociation.com
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