An international company of performers is taking circus to the Hebrides this month with more than entertainment on the menu.

Let's Circus, which promotes itself as "the circus that runs away to join you", redefines circus by using the familiar format of big top-based performance with the offer of community engagement through workshops, master classes and learning opportunities. All the performers are international leaders in their specialist skills and each day's programme will offer adults and young people from age five upwards expert tuition in trapeze, unicycling, tightwire, acrobatics, juggling, and performance skills inside the company's big top, The Magpie. The circus calls at The Skye Festival at Sabhal mor Ostaig on July 11 and 12, Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway from July 16-18, and Seilebost Machair on the Isle of Harris on July 21 and 22.

letscircus.com

The Girl with the Purple Harp, the CD which featured some of Scotland's leading harp players paying tribute to teenager Esme McIntyre, has helped to more than double a campaign started in her honour's fundraising target. Esme, pictured, a young harp player from Kinross who lived life to the full after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, died aged eighteen in July 2013 and a Facebook page, the compilation CD and a concert were organised with the aim of raising £10,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. The fund currently stands at £21,353.41.

justgiving.com/Esmesadventure

Stonehaven Folk Festival is the July recipient of Hands Up for Trad's Business Limelight Award. The festival, which was first staged in 1989 and whose latest edition goes ahead this weekend, receives the award in recognition of its contribution to Scotland's arts and cultural sector in general and the work it does annually to promote traditional music within its own community through workshops, sessions and outreach projects as well as concerts by national and international attractions. This year's festival programme includes a special celebration of the wealth of traditional music and song from the area bordering the Aberdeenshire town.

stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk