Summer Holiday Fun at the Tall Ship

Summer Holiday Fun at the Tall Ship

Riverside, Glasgow, until August 12

With the entire city taking a collective breather, it's relatively quiet this week in Glasgow. What better time, then, to make the most of the last few days of the Tall Ship Glenlee's summer programme for kids. Berthed outside the Riverside Museum, this one-of-a-kind living monument to the maritime history of the Clyde is open daily between 10am-5pm. Activities on offer include drop-in craft sessions, storytelling, music and dance, and family tours. Entry is free, with a small charge and pre-booking recommended for some activities. http://thetallship.com

Routes To Your North-East Roots

Haddo House, Aberdeenshire, Friday to Sunday

Uncover your ancestral roots with this Homecoming Scotland-endorsed family history event featuring a variety of heritage organisations from across the north east. Opening with an event featuring broadcaster and Aberdeenshire native James Naughtie (£10), the weekend also includes talks on genealogy, traditional music performances, a local food and drink marquee, and free tours of Haddo House and estate with the National Trust for Scotland and country park rangers. Entry all day on Saturday and Sunday is £3, with children free. www.northeastscotlandroots.com/haddo2014

Foodies Festival

Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, Friday to Sunday

One of the capital's top summer food events returns with an abundance of tastings, demonstrations, stalls, and stands to explore. Along the way you can brush up your skills with culinary masterclasses from top chefs such as Jacqueline O'Donnell, Tony Singh and Mark Greenaway, while new attractions for this year include vintage-themed Kitchen Market and Tea tents, a Chilli Food Market, and the grandly-titled Feasting Tent - an elements-proof social hub decked out with long banqueting tables. Day tickets are £10-£12. http://foodiesfestival.com

Dare Protoplay

Caird Hall and City Square, Dundee, until Sunday

Play all 15 of the entries for this year's Dare To Be Digital video games development competition, then vote for your favourite at the UK's biggest indie games festival. Organised by Abertay University, the event also offers a chance to revisit a range of vintage console classics, hear talks from industry professionals, and see a range of exhibits showcasing the latest technical innovations. Kick back afterwards with Sunday night's Northern Lights Ceilidh, which mixes interactive experimental animation with traditional music and dancing. www.daretobedigital.com

The Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show

Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Saturday and Sunday

This huge two-day event aimed at lovers of classic and modern motorcycles comes to Ingliston for the first time. Attractions include a host of dealers, manufacturers and traders, plus a range of tests rides, demonstrations and activities from Japanese motorbike giant Yamaha. There's also moped racing, entertainment from irreverent stunt display team the Purple Helmets, and special guests including racing legend Giacomo Agostini and former Scottish TT star Alex George. Tickets on the gate are £8, with children under 12 free. www.classicbikeshows.com

Celebration of the Centuries

Fort George, near Inverness, Saturday and Sunday

Historic Scotland's flagship summer event brings together more than 250 re-enactors to tell the story of the last 2000 years of Scottish history. Along with performers bringing to life the Picts, Romans and Vikings, also featured will be costumes, customs, characters and weaponry from the Medieval, Renaissance, Reformation and Jacobite eras. 100 years after the outbreak of hostilities, there will also be special commemoration of the First World War. On from 11am to 5pm on both days, tickets are £7.20-£12. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Scottish Afro-Caribbean Carnival

Barshaw Park, Paisley, Saturday

Another spectacular celebration of cultural diversity, pulsating music, and colourful costume and dance is in store at Scotland's only dedicated Caribbean Carnival, staged this weekend for only the second time. The event starts at noon, with a parade of performers and floats starting out for Barshaw Park from Lady Lane in Paisley town centre at 2pm. Attractions include stalls, a funfair, and live entertainment headlined by X-Factor star Misha B, as well as steel drumming, samba dancers, martial arts displays, a dog show, and the crowing of the carnival king and queen. paisleycarnival.wordpress.com

Perth Kilt Run

North Inch, Perth, Saturday

Help the city of Perth break the world record for the most kilted runners in a race, currently held by transatlantic namesake Perth, Ontario. Organisers of Saturday's 5K fun run are aiming to attract 2014 participants for the event, which is part of a weekend of entertainment at the same location that also includes Perth Highland Games on Sunday. Online registration closes today at 5pm, but space permitting, you can sign up at Bells Sports Centre at 9am on race day. Entry is £13 or £5 for children under 16. www.perthkiltrun.co.uk

Sail and Oar Festival

Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Saturday and Sunday

If you're feeling more adventurous, there's the chance to watch and try a variety of water sports activities at Cumbrae's annual seafaring heritage festival. As well as the chance to sample skiff racing, powerboating, and dinghy sailing alongside Millport's famed Crocodile Rock, there are canoe and raft races, a Tug O' War contest, and plenty for kids, including novelty races, games and workshops. One of the most accessible islands in the Firth of Clyde, Cumbrae is a short 10 minute hop by ferry from Largs. www.millport.org/event/sail-oar-festival

Edinburgh International Book Festival

Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, from Saturday

Attention-grabbing slots from George RR Martin, Haruki Murakami and Martin Amis have garnered most of the advance buzz - but among a cavalcade of Scottish and international writing talent there's also loads for children and young adults, as well as strands such as Jura Unbound, a series of free evening happenings combining readings, poetry, performance, and dancing. And even if you're not attending any of the 17-day programme's 700-odd events, Charlotte Square itself provides the perfect spot to relax and soak up the atmosphere. www.edbookfest.co.uk

Don't Miss

Fringe By The Sea

North Berwick, until Sunday

A taste of the Festival away from the bustle of the city, with music, comedy, author sessions, theatre, and kid's events. Still to come are gigs from Rachel Sermanni, Geno Washington, and The Manfreds, while Phil Jupitus headlines Saturday's comedy showcase. www.fringebythesea.co.uk