1 MCM Scotland Comic Con

SECC, Glasgow, September 24-25

The Herald:

Comic and sci-fi fans will be in geek heaven this weekend when the MCM Scotland Comic Con returns to Glasgow.

The two-day geekfest boasts an impressive line-up of guests, including Red Dwarf’s Chris Barrie and Hattie Hayridge, Storage Hunters’ Sean Kelly and Jesse McClure, Anime producer Reo Kurosu, Iron Man writer Bob Layton and Doctor Who star Sylvester McCoy.

There will also be stalls, photography sessions, cosplay and live wrestling shows from the stars of Insane Championship Wrestling.

Tickets cost £11 for one day, £15 for priority access day entry and £22 for a weekend pass. Children under five go free. Visit www.mcmexpostore.com/collections/scotland-comic-con.

2 Tidelines Book Festival

Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, September 23-25

The Herald:

Bookworms will be heading to Irvine this weekend for the annual Tidelines Book Festival.

The three-day event, which is Ayrshire’s only independent book festival, includes appearances from Wee Ginger Dug Paul Kavanagh, David Ross, Theresa Talbot, Chris Brookmyre, Denise Mina, Mark Beaumont and former Scottish rugby star John Beattie.

The festival will also celebrate the life of Sam Galbraith with a special event presented by Sir Graham Teasdale.

Ticket prices vary. Visit www.tidelinesbookfest.com.

3 The Tour de Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis Distillery, Fort William, September 24

The Herald:

Set in the stunning surroundings of Ben Nevis, this bike race is not for the faint hearted.

The 68km endurance cycle begins in Fort William before circumnavigating the UK’s highest mountain, with riders traversing rivers, streams, climbs and long descents during the demanding ride.

The tough, technical point-to-point stage race is also likely to be very tactical as points are on offer for riders throughout the course.

Registration is between 6pm and 9pm on Friday, with the race beginning at 10am on Saturday.

Entry is £55. Visit www.nofussevents.co.uk.

4 Nicholson’s Beer Showcase

The Drum & Monkey, Glasgow, today until October 15

The Herald:

Beer lovers will be able to sample some of the UK’s best brews at this special showcase in Glasgow.

There will be a plethora of fantastic ales, beers and celebrity brews from Iron Maiden, New Order and Tony Hadley on offer during the month-long event.

The celebration also includes craft beer masterclasses, beer sommelier tastings and giveaways.

Prices vary. Visit www.nicolsonspubs.co.uk/beershowcase.

5 Festival of Light and Millport Illuminations

Various venues, Millport, September 23-24

Millport will light up this weekend as it hosts this illuminating festival.

The traditional event, which has taken place every year since 1934, features a ceilidh, fireworks display and, for the first time this year, the Festival of Light. Other highlights include a heritage trail, light and photography shows and installations made by local volunteers.

Two of the island’s architectural gems, Garrison House and the Cathedral of the Isles, will also be lit up for the event to mark Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.

Entry is free. Visit www.millport.org/festival-of-light/

6 Byres Road Book Festival

Waterstones, Byres Road, Glasgow, September 23-26

The Herald:

The cream of Scottish literary talent will be in Glasgow this weekend as Byres Road launches its inaugural book festival.

Tartan Noir novelist Christopher Brookmyre, Douglas Lindsay, Chris Dolan, Denise Mina, Martin MacInnes, Lin Anderson and Man Booker Prize nominee Graeme Macrae Burnet will all appear at the four-day festival.

There will also be signings, readings, literary tours, workshops, poetry busking, book crafts, Penguin Bookarama and a murder mystery night.

Ticket prices vary. Visit www.byresroadbookfestival.com.

7 Mapping the Moon

Paisley Museum & Art Gallery, today until November 6

Budding astronauts will be able to take their first small step towards space travel at this exhibition of rare maps.

The exhibit features hand-drawn moon maps that were used by NASA in the 1960s to select suitable landing sites for the Apollo missions.

The incredibly detailed maps, which are part of a collection that was donated to Paisley Museum, are a piece of history and give an insight into what the moon’s surface would have been like during space race.

Entry is free. Visit www.renfrewshireleisure.com/mapping-the-moon/

8 Findhorn Bay Festival

Various venues, Forres, today until September 26

Showcasing national and international artists, this six-day celebration of arts and culture has something for everyone.

The Biennial event includes theatre, performances, exhibitions, live music, art, photography, talks, tours and a Culture Day.

There will also be Guerrilla lighting tours, light night parties, and installations, talks and tours on Moray’s contribution in the field of innovation, architecture and design, which is the theme for this year’s festival.

Ticket prices vary. Visit www.findhornbayarts.com.

9 Mark Beaumont – Africa Solo

Magnum Theatre, Irvine, September 23

The Herald:

Mark Beaumont will regale fans with tales of his world-recording breaking cycle across Africa when he visits Irvine on Friday.

The ultra-endurance cyclist will give fans his own heart-warming account of his Africa solo trip and how he smashed the Cairo to Cape Town record during the event.

The Scot had broken records for cycling around the world and through America before embarking on the Africa challenge.

Tickets for the talk are £8. Visit www.meakbeaumontonline.com

10 Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running

Bught Park, Inverness, September 25

The Herald:

Runners will get a chance to test their skills this weekend in the glorious surroundings of Loch Ness.

Combining striking scenery and stunning routes, the one-day festival offers a variety of different races, including a marathon, 10k, 5k fun run and a wee Nessie race for children.

There will also be Sports Expo, food and drink fayre, live music and childrens’ activities.

You may even catch a glimpse of Nessie!

Entry prices vary. Visit www.lochnessmarathon.com.

11 Andrea Bocelli

SSE Hydro, Glasgow, September 24

The Herald:

THE Italian tenor will treat fans to special renditions of classic cinema soundtracks when he returns to the Hydro on Saturday.

The classical singer will perform songs from his new album Cinema, which includes music from Doctor Zhivago, The Godfather, Gladiator and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, during his show.

His set will also include arias and duets from legendary operas and classical pieces.

Tickets cost £51.10-£136.20 including administration fee. Visit www.andreabocelli.com.