10 things to do across Scotland this weekend

MARISA DUFFY

Don't Miss:

Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, today to Sunday

A total of ten Major Champions, boasting a glittering 26 Major titles between them, will lead a sparkling cast at Royal Aberdeen Gold Club. American Phil Mickelson, winner of last year's Scottish Open, will be joined by Darren Clarke, Sir Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy at one of the flagship events of the European Tour. Day tickets are £30 (£35 on the gate. Under 16s accompanied by an adult are free).

www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014054/index.html

MARISA DUFFY

1 Scottish Real Ale Festival, Edinburgh, today to Sunday

With its emphasis on education and experimentation, attending a beer festival has all the fun of spending the day in the pub, with the added kudos of expanding your drinking horizons.

Held at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, this CAMRA-run annual event has been tickling the taste-buds of beer drinkers since 2003. With 150 Scottish real ales, it forms the largest collection of native brews in the world. A must-try will be the CAMRA Champion Beer of Scotland, which will be judged and announced during the festival. If beer is not your tipple, there are 20 ciders to try. Traditional music troupes from around the world will provide entertainment. The entry fee of £6 (£3 on Sunday) includes a free souvenir pint or half pint glass. www.scottishbeerfestival.org.uk

2 Glasgow Grand Prix Athletics, Friday and Saturday

A fortnight ahead of the Commonwealth Games, athletes and spectators alike can experience competing in the stadium at Hampden Park that will host athletics during the games.

Traditionally the London Grand Prix, this year the IAAF Diamond League event comes to Glasgow and will feature some of the best athletes in the world.

Already confirmed are Christine Ohuruogu, Greg Rutherford, Yohan Blake, Jessica Judd and Kim Collins. Don't miss Olympic 110m hurdles champion and world record holder Aries Merritt go head-to-head with World Championships finalist William Sharman.

An injection of Scottish talent is provided by Eilidh Child, Eilish McColgan and Chris O'Hare to name but a few. Tickets from £30 (free U16 ticket - 1 per paying adult).

www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-series/sainsburys-glasgow-grand-prix/

3 Kirkcudbright Country Fair, Saturday and Sunday

There is a chance to try your hand at various outdoor activities at this all-weekend event in Dumfries and Galloway. Have a go at clay pigeon shooting, crossbow and air rifle courtesy of Forest Estate Experiences or have a whirl on a segway provided by Laggan Outdoor. You can also get instruction on how to build your own giant kite and fly it. If you prefer to let others take the strain, enjoy the spectator events which include JCB demonstrations, dancing diggers and mountain bike stunt team The Clan. A beer tent and onsite catering by Ballards Butchers mean you can stay for the whole day. www.kirkcudbright.co.uk/summerfestivities.asp

4 The Bruce Festival, Dunfermline, Saturday and Sunday

Europe's top jousting team The Knights Royal will headline at this year's festival which takes place against the backdrop of Dunfermline Abbey, the final resting place of Robert the Bruce. Proceedings get underway with a parade through the historic town to Pittencrieff Park for the ceremonial opening. Battle re-enactments promise to transport visitors back to mediaeval times while other attractions include street theatre, cookery stalls, falconry displays and a new children's Highland Games which will give youngsters the chance to try traditional games including tossing the caber. The event runs between 11am and 4pm daily and is free of charge. http://bruce.connectingwithyou.co.uk/

5 Stonehaven Folk Festival, today to Sunday

Where else in the world could you enjoy such diverse treats as an aqua ceilidh in the town's famous outdoor pool and the World Paper 'n' Comb Championships? That's in addition to some of the best traditional and contemporary folk music. Acts on the bill include the female vocal trio Lady Maisery, American singer and fiddler Skip Gorman and the North East Folk Collective.

While much of the action takes place in the town hall stage, there are also hosted sessions happening in a variety of venues and an extensive programme of workshops if you want to join in and hone your own skills. A weekend ticket is £45. www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk

6 Classic Cars at Erskine, Saturday

They just don't build 'em like that any more. Appreciate the sleek lines and sumptuous interiors of a vast array of fine vintage motors at this one day event. Following on from the success of last year, Classic Cars at Erskine is now an annual happening. Visitors can expect to see up to 200 classic cars from clubs including the Jaguar Enthusiasts' club, Triumph Sport Six club and Mustang Owners' club.

In addition, Erskine, which cares for ex-Service men and women, will be providing a barbecue, kids' entertainment, an auto jumble and craft stalls in the grounds of the Erskine Estate. The event is open from 11am until 4pm. Entry is £2 per adult and kids go free. www.erskine.org.uk/events/classic-cars-erskine

7 The Big Picnic, New Lanark, Sunday

If you go down to the woods at New Lanark today, yup, the teddy bears are having their picnic.

The Big Picnic will take place in the Robert Owens garden. Visitors can bring their own picnic or enjoy some takeaway eats from the Mill Cafe, Damn Delicious burger company and the trike selling New Lanark Ice Cream. For kids, the Teddy Bears' Picnic takes place every hour during the day and includes a treasure hunt and story-telling. Other entertainment includes a balloon artist, face-painting, birds of prey displays and mini-beast hunts with the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Open from 12pm to 4pm. www.newlanark.org/visitorcentre/events.shtml

8 Glasgow Riverside Masters Beach Volleyball, Saturday

Ok, so the banks of the Clyde are not a match for Bondi but that doesn't mean we can't have a bash at that most sunkissed of sports, beach volleyball.

See the leading Scottish Beach Volleyball players at this annual event. Based next to the Riverside Museum, the women's competition will run from 10am to 1pm and the men's event will run 2pm to 5pm. During the one hour break from competitions, there will be come and try sessions for under-16s to play along with pro players. No need to book, just turn up.

http://events.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/glasgow-riverside-masters-beach-volleyball-2014

9 Dalkeith Agricultural Show, Sunday

Dalkeith Country Park is given over to this annual agricultural show which includes hunters, Clydesdales, sheep and cattle sections. Essentially a day of two halves, the morning is centred on traditional agriculture and horse show judging and jumping events. Judging is horses is from 8.30am, sheep and cattle from 9.30am. In the afternoon, the entertainment includes crowd-pleasers such as the novelty dog show. A family ticket is £18. www.dalkeithshow.co.uk

10 Sumo Run, Edinburgh, Saturday

You will need to get up early to catch Edinburgh's first sumo run on Saturday morning. From 9am, runners in giant inflatable sumo suits are set to run, walk and waddle their way round the 5km course around The Meadows. The craze started in London's Battersea Park and its success has led to this spin-off event north of the border. Sumo Run is organised by and raises money for Link Community Development, a charity helping to educate children in Africa. Locals are encouraged to come along and cheer on the runners. What exactly dogs enjoying a morning sojourn are going to make of the sight of hundreds of supersized babies is anyone's guess.

www.sumorun.com