Checklist: 10 things not to miss in Scotland this week

Though the capital may be hogging the limelight with the Fringe, Scotland’s biggest city still has plenty going on culture-wise thanks to this celebration of the eponymous district.

With street arts, music, theatre food and drink, comedy, fashion and design, visual arts, film and family activities, the Merchant City Festival promises something for everyone.

Though this cultural carnival’s highlights are too many to list, this year sees the return of the ever-popular Vintage, a series of events harking back to the 1920s and 1970s, including a night of music commemorating the dearly departed David Bowie.

Ticket costs vary, visit merchantcityfestival.com.

2. The Rocky Horror Show

King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Monday, August 8 to Saturday, August 13

You could be forgiven for thinking you had fallen into The Time Warp as, four decades on from its inception, arguably the world’s most famed rock’n’ roll musical is once again in Glasgow.

A cast boasting the talents of Diana Vickers, Paul Cattermole and Liam Tamne will be strapping Richard O’Brien’s classic to the lightning rod for the anniversary tour, which will once again regale audiences with its ribald tale of two innocent college kids subjected to the raunchy appetites of Dr Frank ’n’ Furter.

Be prepared for rude parts, audience participation too blue to print here and feel free to dress for the occasion – you’ll not be the only one.

Tickets £17.90 to £59.90, visit atgtickets.com.

3. Norma

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Friday, August 5, Sunday, August 7 and Tuesday, August 9

Cecilia Bartoli sings the title role in a powerful reimagining of Bellini’s opera. The winner of 2013’s International Opera Award for best new production, directors Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier have transplanted Bellini and librettist Felice Romani’s tragic story of druids rebelling against Roman occupation to the French Resistance’s brave struggle against Nazi occupation during the Second World War.

The iconic role of Norma is blessed with one of opera’s most famous arias, the prayer to the moon goddess’ Casta Diva, an aria the production say will be performed as Bellini originally intended thanks to a newly prepared critical edition.

Tickets cost £30, visit eif.co.uk.

4. BREXIT - A Public Conversation

Eastgate Theatre, Edinburgh, Monday, August 8

The subject that’s been dominating the political agenda and water cooler gossip the past six weeks, the issue of the vote to leave the European Union will be chewed over in this open forum.

Hosted by the Scottish Liberal Democrats, speakers are the party’s leader Willie Rennie and former MSP Jeremy Purvis, now in the House of Lords.

As well as having the benefit of the political pair’s views, the audience will be able to air their own opinion, as well as engage with the speakers.

The event is free, visit eastgatearts.com.

5. Perth Show

South Inch, Perth, Friday, August 5 to Saturday, August 6

The cattle on display won’t be the only thing with a fine pedigree, as this celebration of the county’s agricultural scene is entering its 154th year. In what organisers say is the third-largest event of its type in the country, there promises to be something for all lovers of country past-times.

Attractions include a line-up of would-be champion horses, donkeys, goats, cattle and sheep, competitions in handcraft and cooking, plus entertainment, musical and otherwise.

In a first for the show, there will be a cookery theatre, adding to the allure for foodies already provided by Perthshire On A Plate, the area’s largest food festival.

Ticket prices vary, visit perthshow.co.uk.

6. Ignition Festival of Motoring

SECC, Glasgow, Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7

One for all the petrolheads out there, Ignition is set to take the roar of turbochargers and smell of burnt rubber into Glasgow itself. Roads around the SECC complex will be shut in order to create the city’s first ever street circuit – a circuit that will be raced around by none other than Scotland’s own David Coulthard.

Other high-octane highlights include the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car, power laps from Top Gear’s mystery man The Stig, a supercar pavilion and performances from the Top Gear Live stunt team.

Ticket prices vary, visit ignitionfestival.co.uk

7. The Wee Food Tour - Let Glasgow Nourish

Various venues, Glasgow, from today [Thurs] onwards subject to availability

The brain, or perhaps stomach-child, of American Madeline Miller, this walking food adventure through Glasgow takes in some of the city’s culinary highlights.

Arising out of Madeline’s personal quest to find the best traditional Scottish food, these small tours through the west and east end, and Merchant City visit six independent restaurants to sample more than 20 foods and snacks produced and eaten here.

Food for the soul is also provided as £5 of each ticket price is donated to food banks.

Tickets cost £80, visit weefoodtour.com.

8. Dougie MacLean

Bathgate Regal Community Theatre, Tuesday, August 9

The man behind Scotland’s unofficial national anthem comes to Bathgate as part of his UK-US-Canada tour. The Caledonia writer has built an international reputation as one of the country’s foremost singer-songwriters.

His latest string of engagements adds to an award-winning career that has taken him to concert halls and festivals across the globe including the stages of New York’s Carnegie Hall, the Festival Theatre in London and the Sydney Opera House.

Tickets cost £25, visit dougiemaclean.com.

9. Death Do Us Part Danger Show

The Tunnels, Aberdeen, Saturday, August 6

What’s better than a spot of risque burlesque? Risque burlesque with heart-stopping stunts thrown in.

A fusion of circus, sideshow, magic and burlesque featuring knife-throwing, whip-cracking and sword-swallowing – danger never looked so good.

Centred around the talents of Charlie and Rachel Atlas, the husband and wife daredevil team who lend new meaning to the phrase Till Death Do Us Part, this spectacle also boasts the talents of Australian performers Madeline Glasseater, the Sideshow Girl, and Jacqueline Furey, the Human Heatwave.

Tickets cost £13.20, visit deathdouspartshow.com.

10. Roy Chubby Brown

King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Sunday, August 7

The man who revels in his title as the world’s most outrageous comedian returns to the stage with a new show. This time headlines are set to become punchlines, with the crude comic taking aim at recent events, as well as more familiar territory such as women and gender.

Billed as too rude for TV, fans eager to see Roy’s latest comedy will need to catch the live performance.

Be aware, if you’re easily offended, this isn’t the comedian you’re looking for.

Tickets cost £24.40, visit atgtickets.com.