1 The Spree Festival
Various venues, Paisley, today until October 22
Boasting a packed programme of music, comedy and entertainment, The Spree Festival has something for everyone.
Now in its fifth year, the 2016 festival features shows from Admiral Fallows, Daniel Sloss, Craig Hill, Roddy Woomble and former Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie, who will perform with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Other highlights include The Treacherous Orchestra, Skerryvore, Mark Nelson, Joe Heenan, Gaelic storytelling workshops and specially-curated Spree Sessions. There will also be plenty of comedy from Billy Kirkwood and Bruce Devlin to keep the children entertained.
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Ticket prices vary. Visit www.thespree.co.uk.
2 Pirate Weekend
Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, October 22-23
Celebrating all things nautical, this pirate weekend will bring out your inner swashbuckler.
Inspired by the link between Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Treasure Island and the nearby island of Fidra, the two-day event includes X-marks the spot competitions, pirate penny games, arts and craft activities, face painting and a treasure hunt.
There will also be test your sabre skills workshops for anyone wanting to brush up on their fencing technique.
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Entry is included in the Seabird Centre admission price. Admission costs £8.95 for adults, £6.95 for concessions, £4.95 for children and £25 for a family pass. Children under three go free. Visit www.seabird.org.
3 Dundee Literary Festival
Various venues, Dundee, today until October 23
Book lovers are in for a treat this week as the Dundee Literary Festival returns for its tenth anniversary.
This year’s festival explores the magic of books, with events celebrating the works of Shakespeare, HG Wells, Roald Dahl and Shirley Jackson.
There will also be talks from Alan Cumming, James Kelman, Liz Lochhead, Don Paterson, Jenni Fagan and Roddy Woombles, a comic masterclass with Ian Kennedy, a silent reading party and a special 1930s tea dance in honour of the 80th birthdays of iconic Scottish comics Oor Wullie and The Broons.
Ticket prices vary. Visit www.literarydundee.co.uk.
4 Gary Tank Commander: Live
The SSE Hydro, Glasgow, today until October 22
Greg McHugh will follow in the footsteps of Still Game, Limmy and Kevin Bridges today when he brings his new Gary Tank Commander live show to Glasgow for a three night run.
Gary Tank Commander: Live – Mission Quite Possible is based on the hugely successful Bafta winning BBC sitcom and is likely to be an all fighting, singing and dancing extravaganza.
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The live show also stars fan favourites Leah McRae, Paul James Corrigan, Robert Jack, Stuart Bowman and Scott Fletcher.
Tickets cost £30 to £45. Visit www.thessehydro.com.
5 Silent Signal
LifeSpace Science Art Research Gallery, Dundee, various dates in October and November
Combining science and art, this fascinating exhibition explores new ways of thinking about the human body.
The exhibit features six experimental animated works that have been created by artists in collaboration with biomedical scientists.
The works include an exploration of how the immune system functions, how disease is spread and how our genetic code can be manipulated.
Each animation is also accompanied by a collection of objections, specimens and artworks from the University of Dundee that have been specially selected by the artists.
Entry is free. Visit www.lifespace.dundee.ac.uk.
6 Kirkcudbright food festival
Kirkcudbright Town Hall, Kirkcudbright, October 22-23
Foodies will be in culinary heaven when the Kirkcudbright Food Festival kicks off on Saturday.
Some of Scotland’s best food, drink and produce Scotland will be on offer during the two-day event.
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There will also be talks, debates, competitions, street food, speciality nights, entertainment, displays, a gin bar and live cooking demonstrations from Willie Pike, Ian McAndrew, and Tom and Malcolm Kirkpatrick.
Ticket prices vary. Visit www.kirkcudbright.co.uk.
7 Tweed Valley Forest Festival
Tweed Valley Forest Park, Peebles, October 21-30
If you love food, conkers and the great outdoors then this is the festival for you.
Returning for its tenth year, the celebration of woodland culture includes a wood market, woodland walks, stalls, a food festival, Carvefest and the Scottish conkers championship.
There will also be some spooky activities to get you in the Halloween mood.
Ticket prices vary. Visit www.forest-festival.com.
8 Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses
SECC, Glasgow, today
Gamers will be transported to a world of fantasy when this unusual show visits Glasgow.
Based on the popular Legend of Zelda series, the concert features all-new arrangements of classic melodies from the video game franchise, orchestrated into a four-movement symphonic work.
Designed to be as epic and thrilling as the Legend of Zelda itself, the show includes music from Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past and Link’s Awakening.
Tickets cost £29.50-£85.15, including administration fee. Visit www.zelda-symphony.com.
9 Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, October 21-31
The art of storytelling will take centre stage when this festival launches in the Scottish capital on Friday.
Now in its 27th year, the 10 day event celebrates live storytelling and imagination, merging Scotland’s best storytellers with guests from Spain, Central and South America.
The festival also includes performances, workshops, talks and children’s events.
This year’s theme is Festival of Dream.
Ticket prices vary. Visit www.tracscotland.org.
10 Fair City Enduro
Lesser South Inch, Perth, October 22
Cyclists will be able to put their skills to the test when this endurance mountain bike race returns to Perth on Sunday.
Riders can take on some of Perth’s stunning trails during the race, which encourages competitors to wear fancy dress.
There will also be children’s races, music, food and a trade village with demo bikes, discounted gear and a wooden pumptrack.
Entry is £28. Visit www.muckmedden.co.uk.
11 The Specials
O2 Academy, Glasgow, October 24
The legendary Two Tone innovators will return to Glasgow with their unique brand of ska pop on Sunday.
Famous for classic tracks like Ghost Town and Too Much Too Young, the band, who reformed in 2009, embarked on their first UK tour in two years earlier this month.
The show is the band’s first Scottish date since the death of their drummer John (Brad) Bradbury in December 2015, with The Libertine’s Gary Powell providing percussions for the new tour.
Tickets cost £44.50. Visit www.thespecials.com.
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