Francesca Street
1) Book Week Scotland
Across Scotland
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Book Week Scotland returns with a series of events celebrating the written word. Weekend highlights include a silent disco in the library in Lasswade, Midlothian; a book swap for all ages at Edinburgh's Summerhall; an evening with The Girl on the Train author Paula Hawkins in Inverness; a draw-along with Jacqueline Wilson's go-to illustrator Nick Sharratt in Crieff and creative writing workshops and children's entertainment up and down the country. http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland
2) Saltire Festival
East Lothian
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
For the sixth year in the row, you can celebrate St Andrew's Day with a packed programme of events in East Lothian, the birthplace of the national flag. Dirleton Castle's Scotland Through the Ages (Saturday 28 and Sunday 27) has activities and workshops based around Scotland's history, including reenactments of the Battle of Athelstaneford, the chance to meet Mary Queen of Scots and a glimpse into the world of First World War trench warfare. Haddington has a Saltire themed Farmer's Market on Sunday morning and Dunbar will celebrate the great outdoors with the John Muir Winter Carnival. The festival will culminate with The Saltire Laughs and Lyrics, a night of comedy, music and fireworks at Maitland House Hotel in Haddington. http://www.visiteastlothian.org/thesaltire2015.asp
3) St Andrew’s Day Ticket Giveaway
Across Scotland
Saturday and Sunday
This weekend Historic Scotland will offer thousands of free tickets to properties across Scotland, from Edinburgh Castle and Orkney's Skara Brae, which dates back more than 5000 years, to Doune Castle, immortalised in TV's Outlander. Visitors have until 5pm tomorrow (Fri November 27) to register for tickets and can apply for a maximum of two adult and three family tickets for each property. This is a brilliant opportunity to explore Scotland's treasures for free and there is no limit to the amount of places you can visit, so get exploring. http://www.ticketgiveaway.co.uk/
4) The St Andrew's Day Celebrations
St Andrews, Fife,
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
What better place to celebrate the patron saint of Scotland than the historic town which bears his name? St Andrews will commemorate St Andrew's Day with five days of exciting events, including an on-street music festival, Scotland's largest outdoor ceilidh, a 'St Andrews v Rest of The World' golf challenge on Sunday and the switching on of the town's festive lights. http://www.standrewsdaycelebrations.com/
5) The Virgin Money Street of Light
Edinburgh, from Monday
Edinburgh has always been a fantastic place to celebrate Christmas. A new addition to the festivities is the Virgin Money Street of Light, a spectacular architectural installation of over 60,000 lights, stretching along the Royal Mile and set to original recordings from Edinburgh choirs. Tickets are free; reserve online to ensure entry. https://www.virginmoneystreetoflight.com/
6) Oban Winter Festival,
Oban, until Sunday
Following its whirlwind success in 2014, the Oban Winter Festival returns with an new programme. Highlights include the Yugen Puppet Company's production of The Fisherman and the Seal on Friday, the Scottish Food and Craft Market on Saturday, the 5K sponsored Tartan Dash, Haggis Hurling on Saturday afternoon, Oban's 'world famous' Haggis tasting on Sunday, the Big Lantern Parade and a firework themed finale at McCraig's Tower. http://obanwinterfestival.com/
7) Glasgow on Ice,
George Square, Glasgow, from Friday
Glasgow's ice rink returns in plenty of time for Christmas. Revellers can skate around George Square, enjoy fairground rides, the big wheel, a traditional carousel and festive food and entertainment. Book online now to avoid disappointment. http://www.glasgowloveschristmas.com/
8) St Andrew's Day Fusion Festival
Dundee, Saturday
Dundee will celebrate modern, multicultural Scotland with its St Andrew's Day Fusion Festival. The festival will combine different styles of music and dance for an afternoon of fun, free events in Dundee's City Square. Bands including Vinesh Tandra, Polsitar and Cutting Edge ceilidh band will provide music and the line-up will also include dance performances by the Bharatiya Ashram dancers. http://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/st-andrews-day-fusion-festival-saturday-28-november-2015
9) Night at the Museum: Exploration and Inspiring Scots
The Hunterian, Glasgow, Friday
This Friday, The Hunterian at the University of Glasgow, Scotland's oldest public museum, will open its doors after-hours for an evening featuring live music, museum tours, food and whisky tastings and poetry readings. Come and enjoy an exclusive night at the museum. This a free event, but booking is required via eventbrite. http://www.gla.ac.uk/hunterian/visit/events/headline_430590_en.html
10) Little Explorer Days: Up, Up and Away
Glasgow Science Centre, Saturday and Sunday
The Glasgow Science Centre's Little Explorer Days are designed to introduce children aged 3-5 to science, via fun, interactive workshops and activities. The theme for this weekend's event is air. Come along on Saturday and Sunday to make giant bubbles, a wind-powered car and paper aeroplanes and to meet the beautiful World of Wings birds and embark on a storytelling adventure in the clouds. Activities run from 10:30-15:30 http://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/special-events/little-explorer-days.html
Puff
Girls Day Out
SECC Glasgow, Friday-Sunday
The Girls' Day Out Show is the biggest event of its kind, celebrating the latest fashion trends, beauty treatments and must-have cocktails. This weekend the show hits Glasgow's SECC arena, featuring more than 200 exhibitors and inviting women to come and enjoy what it has to offer. The event will also feature fashion shows and male dancers. Meanwhile, one girl attending this years' Day Out will also win a guaranteed spot in the final 12 of The Catwalk Academy Miss Scotland 2016. http://www.girlsdayoutshow.co.uk/
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