1 Red Bull Neptune Steps
Maryhill Locks, Glasgow, Sat
Billed variously as the world’s only uphill swimming race and the UK’s toughest open water challenge, this bone-chilling time-trial pitches some of the UK and Ireland’s top endurance athletes into a gruelling, watery sprint up a succession of rope ladders and climbing walls spread over eight flights of locks on the Forth and Clyde Canal. Among those gunning for the title won by local hero Mark Deans in 2015 is Irish triathlon star Con Doherty. With the action starting at noon, spectators can watch for free. www.redbull.com/uk/en/events/1331668145513/red-bull-neptune-steps

2 Mini Maker Faire
Summerhall, Edinburgh, Sun
Another cracker from the Edinburgh International Science Festival, this special interactive event for families is back for a fourth year. Offering a great chance to see how a range of objects are really made, the Faire brings together a range of fascinating homemade technology, custom projects and unusual artworks created by hobbyists, enthusiasts, engineers and tinkerers from across the country. With numerous demonstrations and workshops going on, areas of interest are likely to span everything from robotics and 3D printing to knitwear and food. Open from 10am, tickets are £6. www.sciencefestival.co.uk

3 Bandstand Beer Festival
Nairn, from Fri
Apparently the largest independent beer festival in Scotland, this annual Highland extravaganza returns with the promise of 200 real ales, ciders and craft beers from 51 different breweries across Scotland, England and the continent. Patrons can also meet some of the brewers responsible whilst tapping a toe to a rotating roster of folk, blues and country acts. Entry is free, with tickets additionally available for a cheese and beer matching event and a whisky tasting evening priced both taking place next week (£10-£20). www.braevalhotel.co.uk/bandstandbeerfestival.asp

4 Spring Open Day
Winton House, East Lothian, Sun
With roots back to the Renaissance, historic Winton House in Pencaitland has been hosting an annual spring open day since 1931. Part of Scotland’s Gardens, a charity scheme in which private gardens across the country offer access to the public on selected days, proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to Marie Curie. With guided tours of the house and garden available to guests, family entertainment includes archery, treasure hunts and face painting, as well as lamb petting and birds of prey displays. Starting at noon, entry costs £3-£5. www.wintonhouse.co.uk

5 Glasgow International 2016
Across Glasgow, from Fri
Glasgow’s world-renowned biennial festival of contemporary art kicks off tomorrow with another 18 days of exclusive exhibitions and  special events in museums, galleries, cultural venues and off-site spaces around the city. Along with a specially-commissioned directors’ programme, there’s also the chance to discover new pieces by local and international artists, as well as a range of talks, performances and projects. Opening weekend highlights include contemporary music festival Counterflows and the first in a series of free sculpture workshops hosted for children over the next three Saturdays. www.glasgowinternational.org

6 Science Night at the Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo, Sat
Find out how keepers keep track of chimps, learn all you ever wanted to know about pandas, and discover the tricks of nature photography at this exclusive evening of family friendly fun at Edinburgh Zoo. Another Science Festival pick, and the latest in a semi-regular series of after-hours events at the park, visitors can look forward to exploring a variety of interactive science stations along with attractions including a silent disco, photo stations, live comedy, music and street food. Starting at 4.30pm, tickets are £12 (children £8). www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

7 Buzzcut Festival
Pearce Institute, Glasgow, until Sun
A bumper weekend for fans of cutting edge art it is, with the tail end of this annual five-day dispatch from the weird and wonderful world of experimental performance. With plenty to interest and intrigue the more open-minded theatre fan, there’s also a strand of events designed for younger audiences taking place on Thursday, as well as a creche staffed from noon until 9pm every day of the festival. Operated on a pay-what-you-can basis, there’s also no booking required for most of the performances. https://glasgowbuzzcut.wordpress.com

8 The Glenlivet 10K
Glenlivet Distillery, Cairngorms National Park, Sun
Coming at an opportune time for those looking to tune up ahead of next month’s Edinburgh Marathon festival is this 10K charity road race in the heart of the Cairngorms. Organisers call it the most beautiful run in Scotland; with a scenic route loping around the River Livet on quiet country roads, they might just have a point. Starting and finishing at Glenlivet Distillery, the event is suitable for runners and joggers of all levels of ability, and proceeds go to supporting Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland. Registration is £21, at www.chssi.org.uk/glenlivet

9 Easter Eggcitement
Almond Valley, Livingston, daily until April 17
There’s still more than a week and a half left of the spring holiday programme at Almond Valley, a working farm and industrial heritage centre near Livingston. This time of year always brings plenty of new animal arrivals, so as well as an abundance of animal handling sessions, seasonal attractions include games, craft activities and a springtime treasure trail. There are also trampolines, pedal carts and a narrow gauge railway to discover, with an indoor soft play and an interactive museum for rainier days. Tickets are £5.50-£7.50. www.almondvalley.co.uk

10 Scottish Opera Unwrapped
Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Friday
At Glasgow’s Theatre Royal until Saturday and Edinburgh Festival Theatre next week, Scottish Opera’s 2015-16 season continues with Antony McDonald’s critically acclaimed production of Antonin Dvorak’s Rusalka - a dark fairy tale about a lovelorn water sprite. This free hour-long taster at 6pm on Friday (also next week in Edinburgh) offers a chance to hear musical highlights, find out more about the plot, and learn about the theatrical techniques used to bring the story to life. Reserve tickets in advance. www.scottishopera.org.uk

Don’t Miss: Bricks 4 Kidz Workshops
St Enoch Centre, Glasgow, until April 15
Learn, create, invent and explore using Lego bricks at this series of free drop-in workshops for kids running between 11am and 3pm, every day of the school holidays. Brick Flicks (pictured), an exhibition of movie-themed art by Lego expert Warren Elsmore is also on display until April 17. www.st-enoch.com