10 things to do across Scotland this weekend

This free exhibition brings together a pair of much admired mythological paintings by Italian master Titian - Diana and Actaeon, and Diana and Callisto - jointly acquired for a total of £95m by the National Gallery in London and the Scottish National Gallery in 2009 and 2012. These are displayed alongside related works, including the artist's unfinished The Death of Actaeon, along with paintings, drawings and prints by Venetian contemporaries drawn from the Gallery's extensive collection. www.nationalgalleries.org

Blair Drummond Safari Park

Near Stirling, From Saturday

Closed to the public since the start of November, Blair Drummond reopens for its 2014 season this weekend. Included in the ticket price is entry to drive-through wildlife areas, sea lion shows, and birds of prey demonstrations. Visitors can also take a boat ride to Chimp Island, get close to various friendly beasts at the pets farm, and burn off excess energy at several outdoor adventure play areas. Showpiece wildlife includes lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, chimps and a tiger. Open daily from 10am, entry is £11-£14. www.blairdrummond.com

M&Ds New Season Preview Weekend

Strathclyde Country Park, Saturday and Sunday

Also reopening for the spring this weekend is Lanarkshire theme park M&Ds, who mark the occasion with a special preview weekend offering cut-price entry to their outside rides and pirate-themed crazy golf course. To gain access to more than 40 rides and roller-coasters, simply sign up for a special promotional wristband in advance online for £8.95. Those with a bit more time and money to spare can also explore a children's soft play area and the wildlife-packed Amazonia, billed as Scotland's only indoor tropical rainforest. www.scotlandsthemepark.com

Sainsbury's Sport Relief Games

Glasgow, Friday to Sunday

This huge fundraising event in aid of the sporting equivalent of the Comic Relief appeal offers the chance to get involved in swimming, running and cycling events across Scotland over the next few days. Participants can sign up to run or swim various distances at numerous local parks, pools and leisure centres, while cyclists can take part in 3, 25 or 50 mile rides starting out from the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Tollcross Park in Glasgow on Sunday. Find an event near you at www.sportrelief.com

Yorkhill Cycle

Yorkhill Hospital, Saturday, March 22

You wait all winter for the chance to take part in a mass charity cycle in Glasgow, and two come along at once - although with this one taking place on Saturday, the particularly energetic and/or crazy could feasibly fit them both in. Perhaps aimed at slightly more seasoned riders, this new event takes a challenging 75-mile route from Yorkhill Hospital to Loch Lomond and back again via Balloch and Garelochhead. Entry is £35 (over 16s only), but organisers ask that participants commit to raising extra sponsorship. www.fundraising.yorkhill.org

National Science and Engineering Week

Across Scotland, until Sunday

This British Science Association-backed programme of inspiring events celebrating science, technology, and engineering continues until Sunday. One of the biggest things on this weekend is Dunbar SciFest - a weekend community festival for families with drop-in sessions, workshops, and demonstrations during the day, plus a number of evening events for grown-ups. Elsewhere, look out for Rocket Building in Easterhouse, a Nature and Science event in Strathpeffer, a Family Science Investigation Day at Mill of Benholm near Montrose, and free technology workshops at Glasgow's Riverside Museum. www.nsew.org.uk

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

National Museum of Scotland, until June 1

Some of the highlights from the 2013 edition of this prestigious global nature photography competition are now on display in the capital, offering a remarkable glimpse of the natural world. The free exhibition's 100 images have been drawn from over 43,000 entries by amateur and professional photographers from 96 countries, and include winning entry Essence of Elephants, by South Africa's Greg du Toit. Now in its 49th year, the competition is organised under the auspices of London's Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide. www.nms.ac.uk

Spring Equinox Family Fun Day

Loch of Lowes Visitor Centre, Dunkeld, Saturday and Sunday

Two days of events at Loch of the Lowes, a 98-hectare Scottish Wildlife Trust-run nature reserve near Dunkeld marking the point when the shorter days of winter begin their inexorable and very welcome tip into the shorter nights of spring and summer. As well as finding out about the equinox and its importance to wildlife, visitors can enjoy craft activities and quizzes, observe red squirrels and woodpeckers, and reconnect with nature along trails linking the reserve's freshwater loch and abundant woodlands. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk

The Commonwealth: Gifts to the Queen

Palace of Holyrood House, from tomorrow

Another new exhibition of ultra-rare stuff at the Queen's Scottish residence; having visited nearly every county in the Commonwealth in her time, Her Maj has amassed a formidable collection of items showcasing traditional arts and craftsmanship from across the globe. On display are wooden sculptures, carved thrones and ornately stitched footstools from Africa, a spectacularly painted tin model of a bus from Pakistan, and colourful Inuit wall hangings from Canada. Entry is included with admission (£6.80 to £11.30), open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm. www.royalcollection.org.uk

Glasgow Rocks

Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Saturday and Sunday

A great chance to sample the unique atmosphere of professional basketball this weekend, with this rare home double header for Scottish team the Glasgow Rocks at the city's Emirates Arena. As the 2013-14 British Basketball League season moves into its final month of fixtures, ninth placed Glasgow face a stern test as they welcome third placed One Health Sharks Sheffield on Saturday (7.30pm), followed by table toppers Newcastle Eagles on Sunday (5pm). Cheer on the team for £4.80-£10, with tickets available in advance from www.glasgowrocks.co.uk

Don't miss:

Scottish Freestyle Championships

Cairngorm Mountain Centre, Saturday

A day of exciting competitive action in the Highlands as some of the UK's top freestyle skiers and snowboarders showcase their most difficult tricks and jumps. After a day on the slopes, the winners will be honoured at a prize giving at the Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore. www.snowsportscotland.org