• War Horse

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, until May 12

After eight record breaking years in London’s West End, having played to audiences in ten countries around the world and a sellout 2014 run in Edinburgh, the National Theatre’s acclaimed play returns to Edinburgh. An unforgettable theatrical event, based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized, puppet horses which breathe, gallop and charge to life on the stage. Tickets cost between £18 and £61, plus booking fee. Head to capitaltheatres.com/warhorse. 

  • Gintyre 2018

Town Hall, Campbeltown, Saturday

This gin tasting festival is offering daytime tickets for £15 which includes tastings from all Gintyre producers, two complementary gin cocktails or gin and tonics from the cocktail bar and entry to “meet the maker” sessions. The evening event is £10 and is a wonderful opportunity to sample more gin while enjoying music from Rose Room, one of Scotland’s leading jazz ensembles. Buy tickets from eventbrite.co.uk.

  • Enchanted Woodlands

Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh, Saturday

Make gorgeous felted pictures in this family workshop inspired by the magic of the woodland, using adorable embellishments to make them special. Imagine moonlight forest scenes or sunny glades. With Margaret Findlay. All family learning workshops include drinks and cake at the break. Cost is £7 per person. See edinburghmuseums.org.uk/venue/lauriston-castle for more details.

  • Change Your World

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Saturday

Described as “life-changing,” attendees to this conference will hear from the UK’s leading motivational speakers, coaches and health & wellbeing experts to inspire audiences to make positive changes in their lives. Founder and creator Suzy Beaumont will share her own personal story and her vision for Change Your World. An extensive range of professionals, experts and information stalls will be available, offering demonstrations and services for crowds to peruse and connect with. Tickets are £103.50 and can be bought at eventbrite.co.uk.

  • Scottish Vegan Festival

Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Saturday

The third annual event will be hosting over 100 stalls serving homemade food, healthy drinks, quirky clothes and accessories, and speaking to attendees about their inspiring charities. Take part in a dark chocolate tasting with in an interactive workshop about the truth behind chocolate and learn new facts about the origin and history of cacao. Six people who have switched to veganism, including former butchers and factory farmers, share their stories to examine the relationship between animals and people. Special guest speakers will engage with crowds about their work and views along with educational documentaries about how food choices affect the environment, health and animal welfare. Tickets are £3. Head to scottishveganfestival.com to buy.

  • Puddings, Prosecco and Disco

Aberdeen Altens Hotel, Saturday

The popular night in the “Granite City” is back. Enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival, a light supper, then an evening of desserts. Dance away the calories with a disco afterwards. Cost is £25 per adult. Call the events team on 01224 379240 to book. A £10 deposit is required to confirm the booking.

  • Archery Open Session

Bowhunter Archery, Inverness, ongoing

As the only dedicated outdoor field archery centre in the Highlands, visitors of all archery abilities are welcome. Each session is led by a friendly team of instructors and includes full instruction and equipment. Choose what session you would like to try and contact the centre to book a date and time at bowhunterarchery.co.uk. Tickets start from £38.50, with booking fee. Buy at leisureandculturedundee.com.

  • Gary Barlow

Caird Hall, Dundee, tomorrow

See one of Britain’s most successful singer-songwriters as he embarks on a solo tour of the UK. Barlow last toured as a solo artist in 2014 to acclaim from fans and critics, playing some of the biggest venues he had ever played as a solo artist. Barlow found worldwide fame as a member of British pop group Take That. Since forming in 1989, Take That have won eight BRIT awards, sold over 45 million records and over eight million concert tickets. He has also written 14 number one singles and is a six-time recipient of an Ivor Novello Award. 

  • Frühlingsfest

Bavaria Brauhaus, Glasgow, tomorrow

Known as “Little Oktoberfest,” the festival welcomes thousands of people to the Bavarian capital for two weeks of celebration - but it’s hitting Glasgow also. Taking place every Friday and Saturday until May 5, the event will have special guest beers on draught, with selected bottles specially brewed for the occasion as well as live music. Head to bavariabrauhaus.com to book a table.

  • #RaiseforRebecca Walk

Erskine Bridge, Bishopton, Sunday

Walk across the bridge to help raise donations for #RaiseforRebecca. Erskine parents Chris and Victoria McKenna have been working hard to raise funds to send their three-year-old daughter Rebecca to America for life-saving treatment as she continues to fight off a rare type of children’s cancer. A big turnout is expected. Contact Diane Richmond at deerichmond@icloud.com for further information or sponsor forms.

DON’T MISS…

Madeleine Smith: Did She Or Did She Not?

Merchants House, Glasgow, tomorrow

She is one of the most notorious figures from Scotland’s criminal past, and he is one of the country’s most renowned lawyers of modern times. Donald Findlay has developed a one-man show based on the 1857 trial of Smith for the murder, by arsenic poisoning, of her lover, Pierre Emile L’Angelier. Controversy still rages over the jury’s not proven verdict which allowed her to walk free. Tickets are £16.31. Buy at eventbrite.co.uk.