1 Winter Words
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, from Friday
Adventurer Mark Beaumont, royal biographer Penny Junor and BBC Special Correspondent Allan Little are among the authors, broadcasters, journalists and historians lined up for the 11th Winter Words, Highland Perthshire's annual literary festival. Running over the next two weekends, guests also include James Naughtie, Kirsty Wark, James Robertson, Robyn Young, Christopher Brookmyre, and The Herald's Iain Macwhirter. Along with author events, readings, and writing workshops, there's also a night of short films from some of the world's leading adventure filmmakers courtesy of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, visiting for first time. www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
2 I'm Game!
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, from Saturday
A week of free half-term drop-in sessions inspired by National Museum of Scotland's current exhibition Game Masters starts on Saturday with computer graphics-inspired Valentines card-making and gaming sessions on a range of retro consoles. From Monday, there's the chance to try out fun movement workshops, take part in a power-up challenge trail, and unplug with a selection of classic family board games. Meanwhile, the latest Museums Lates event is on Friday, opening up the Game Masters exhibition to grown-ups for an exclusive after-hours party. www.nms.ac.uk
3 Big Glasgow Comic & Craft Fair
The Arches, Glasgow, Saturday
Stock up on comics and graphic novels, and rummage for original artworks, toys, clothes, collectibles and even cupcakes - perfect if you happen to be on the trawl for an alternative Valentine's Day gift for the pop-culture fiend in your life. The more committed can also come dressed up as favourite characters, with prizes for the best costumes. Free to get in, the event also returns to the Arches in June and September, as well as Glasgow's Walkabout on alternate months from March. www.bigglasgowcomic.com
4 Design In Motion
Across Scotland, until June
Design lovers can get a taste of Dundee's long-awaited V&A Museum at this free national pre-opening tour starting out from the city this week. Conceived in partnership with mobile art project The Travelling Gallery, the exhibition features the work of seven contemporary Scottish designers, and will be popping up at various places around Dundee until the end of the February - including City Square on Friday and Saturday - before going on to tour more than 70 locations across rural and urban Scotland over the next five months. www.vandadundee.org/exhibitions
5 Snowdrops By Starlight
Cambo Estate, Fife, until Sunday
Last night marked the return of this hardy winter perennial that every February transforms 70 acres of snowdrop-covered woodland near St Andrews into an enchanting after-dark attraction - especially magical for children and families. Bring a warm coat and some sturdy shoes and prepare to be dazzled as you explore and discover mysterious forest paths, towering trees and gnarly natural sculptures decked out with banks of spectacular lighting. Tickets are available in advance only, priced £12.50 for adults, £10.50 for concessions, and £6.50 for children, with under 4s free. snowdropsbystarlight.com
6 Lunar Craft Day
Satrosphere, Aberdeen, Sunday
Have a crack at crafting a 3D replica of the moon's surface, or design and make an intergalactic spaceship in this creative family drop-in at Aberdeen's science centre with artist Kevin Andrew Morris. Taking place from 10am to 5pm, the event is part of a rolling programme of fun interactive workshops, planetarium shows and demonstrations called Aberdeen Space Odyssey. Running for the next three months, the new project aims to introduce the science of space, gravity and rockets to the next generation of mini astronauts and astrophysicists. Admission is £4.50-£5.75. www.aberdeensciencecentre.org
7 National Nest Box Week
Across Scotland from Saturday
With spring around the corner, the British Trust for Ornithology has launched this UK-wide initiative encouraging people to contribute to bird conservation by putting up a nesting box. Starting on Saturday, anyone can take part - simply register for a free information pack online, make or buy a nest box, and put it up in your garden or a local green space. Keeping an eye on what happens next, you can then record what you see and report your findings. Full details on the project can be found at www.bto.org/about-birds/nnbw
8 Jeely Jars and Seeing Stars
Mitchell Library, Glasgow, from Thursday
In the 1930s, Scotland's largest city had more cinemas per head of population than anywhere else in the world - a fact celebrated in this free interactive multimedia exhibition launching a week ahead of the main Glasgow Film Festival. Running every day except Sunday until the end of February and subtitled 'Glasgow's Love Affair with The Movies', the exhibition gathers together the memories of film goers in the city from the last 80 years, along with cinema artefacts, archive film, photos, first-hand stories and movie memorabilia. www.glasgowfilm.org/festival/whats_on
9 Vintage Kilo Sale
The Briggait, Glasgow, Saturday
Hunt for retro clothing bargains at this stylish and thrifty fashion event featuring thousands of quality vintage ladies and gents items from the 1970s onwards. The concept is simple - browse from a huge selection of everything from dresses to denims, then pay £15 per kilo, which translates into as many as four or five items. Doors are open from 11am and stock is continually replenished, meaning there's plenty to discover throughout the day. Entry is £1.50 (£3 before noon), with the event also coming to Edinburgh's Out of the Blue Drill Hall next weekend. www.judysvintagefair.co.uk
10 Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants
Edinburgh and Glasgow, Saturday and Sunday
Featuring loads of audience participation and narration by CBeebies presenter Chris Jarvis, this family concert from composer Paul Rissmann doubles up as a lovely introduction to classical music for little ones aged 3 and up. Those arriving early can meet performers from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and take part in pre-concert activities with illustrator Korky Paul, who originally created the Sir Scallywag books with writer Giles Andreae. At Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms (Saturday 12pm and 2.30pm) and Glasgow's City Halls (Sunday 2pm), tickets are £5-£12. www.sco.org.uk
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