1. Largs Viking Festival
The Promenade, Largs, until Sunday
Marking the 1263 Battle of Largs, the North Ayrshire town opens to the public each year to provide a glimpse of what life would have been like in a 13th century Viking village. Visitors can learn about how they made their clothes, weapons, jewellery and food. As well as the Viking Village, there will also be a Scottish food and craft fayre, hand-reared owls that can be picked up, a fun fair and the Largs labyrinth, a sacred space giving families the chance to take “a mini-pilgrimage.”
Viking Village entry is £5 for adults while under-fives go free and can be purchased upon arrival.
2. Blood Brothers
King’s Theatre, Glasgow, until September 16
The legendary musical is making its way around Scotland as it tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences. Lyn Paul returns to the role of Mrs Johnstone she played in the West End as a superb score brings the hits Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally-charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.
Tickets are priced between £16.90 and £59.90, plus booking fee. Head to atgtickets.com to purchase.
3. The Steamie
Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, today until Saturday
Starting its 30th anniversary tour in Fife, Tony Roper’s hugely popular comedy-drama stage play from 1987 takes place on Hogmanay in a Glasgow washhouse, where Dolly, Magrit, Doreen and Mrs Culfeathers work to get their washing done before the bells. Directed by Tony Roper, audiences are being invited to join the four women as they laugh and cry their way through the last day of the year – with a little help from the not-so-handy Andy.
Tickets are £25, plus booking fee. Purchase at onfife.com.
4. Highland Military Tattoo
Fort George, Inverness, tomorrow until Sunday
Hosted in the largest military fort in the UK, the Highland Military Tattoo brings together top military performers, talented young local performers and some of the world’s finest reenactors. From the roar of jets to the magical sound of the massed pipes and drums, from Highland dancing to fiercely contested competitions, from contemporary music to historical re-enactments, and climaxing in the Lone Piper ceremony and the terrific fireworks display, spectators are set to be wowed by the event once again. The weekend will get off to a roaring start with the now traditional Typhoon flypast and will culminate with a stunning fireworks display.
Ticket prices vary and can be booked at highlandmilitarytattoo.com.
5. Aboyne and Deeside Festival
Various venues, Aboyne and Deeside, until September 24
The annual arts festival is back, bringing with it a broad range of events covering classical, folk, jazz and contemporary music, thought, drama, literature and workshops. The main event of the 2017 festival is Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham performing in the marquee on Aboyne Green in a joint event presented in partnership the Aboyne Games Committee. The ever-popular Old Blind Dogs are also back in the friendly setting of Tornaveen Village Hall. One of the more unusual things organisers have done this year is to partner with Aboyne Games to present Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham in concert on the evening preceding the Games.
Ticket prices vary. See the full programme at aboyneanddeesidefestival.org.uk.
6. Best of the West Festival
Inveraray Castle, tomorrow until Sunday
Now arguably Scotland’s finest boutique festival, music and food lovers will gather to celebrate the very best in Scottish music, food and drink, the gates to the grounds will open for the seventh annual event. As well as a line-up of 21 different musical acts performing on two stages, the festival has been extended to three days and finishes later each evening. BOWFest is family-friendly and includes free children’s art workshops, face painting and outdoor activities.
A three-day adult ticket is £39.50, while a child pass is £24.50, plus booking fees. Day tickets are also available. See bowfest.co.uk for the complete lineup and to book.
7. True North
Various venues, Aberdeen, today until Sunday
Located at the heart of the city, Aberdeen’s music festival features the contemporary music industry’s most interesting, relevant and exciting artists. This year’s jam-packed programme features a series of headline performances in city centre venues, a Fringe programme of free intimate gigs across, a chance to be inspired by a masterclass and discussion programme, an amazing gig for kids, and an opportunity to get up close and personal with festival artists.
Ticket prices vary and can be booked at aberdeenperformingarts.com.
8. Newmilns Food Festival
Jamieson Park, Newmilns, Saturday
Bigger and better than last year, the event – organised by the Newmilns Regeneration Association –will be showcasing the creme de la creme of Ayrshire’s food and drink scene. With an abundance of fun things to see and do on the day all under one big marquee with activities in the surrounding grounds, guests are invited to head along to find cooking demonstrations, a fully-licensed bar, baking competition, a themed cafeteria selling street foods and prohibition tea with lots more activities on the day.
Entry is £2. Visit lovenewmilns.org to learn more.
9. Stand By
Tron Theatre, Glasgow, today until Saturday
The popular theatre’s latest offering has been written by a former police officer and sees audiences wait with four officers in a riot van as they wait outside a domestic dispute scene, which may turn violent, as one man wields a samurai sword. A unique performance, audiences are asked to wear single-earpiece headphones, as police do, to tell this urgent story in a multi-sensory way as they experience the stresses of the job and the turmoil of being caught between following orders and protecting themselves.
Tickets are £15 and can be booked by calling the box office on 0141 552 4267.
10. HorsePower
The Helix, Falkirk, Saturday
This new event is an imaginative celebration of Scotland’s equine heritage, bringing together over 30 horses from all over Scotland – including rare Scottish breeds – which will deliver live demonstrations of working horses including logging, barge pulling along the canal, farriers and more around The Helix park which is home to the Kelpies, which were dfreated by sculptor Andy Scott and are the world’s largest equine sculptures.
The event is free to attend with some of the activities requiring tickets booked in advance or paid for on the day. Head to thehelix.co.uk for more information.
DON'T MISS...
SCOTTISH FOOD & DRINK FORTNIGHT
Various venues across Scotland, until September 17
TYING in with the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, more than 200 events are profiling a range of different food themes, asking participants to simply change one thing and tell organisers about it using
#OneThingFortnight.
Visit fooddrinkfort.scot.
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