1 The Mackintosh Festival
Various venues, Glasgow, October 1-31
Celebrating the creative genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, this festival has something for everyone.
Now in its fifth year, the month-long celebration is packed full of events, including exhibitions, tours of the Mackintosh House and The Glasgow Art Club, and Glas(s)gow Style, a contemporary reinterpretation of Mackintosh in glass and Swarovski crystal.
As if that wasn’t enough, Mackintosh the Innovator, a 3D experience that lets you design and interact with a Mackintosh space, will also be making its festival debut.
Ticket prices vary. Visit www.glasgowmackintosh.com/festival.
2 Shetland Wool Week
Various venues, Shetland, today until October 2
Shetland’s sheep will take centre stage at this festival dedicated to all things woollen.
Read more: Haunted ruins on the banks of Loch Tay go on sale for £100,000
The week-long celebration of Shetland’s world renowned wool features exhibitions, classes and events covering everything from weaving and spinning to dyeing and lace knitting.
Highlights include a design-a-knit a toorie masterclass, yoga for knitters and an exhibition of works by Ruth Brownlee and Mary Fraser.
Ticket prices vary. Visit www.shetlandwoolweek.com.
3 The Great Scottish Run
George Square, Glasgow, October 2
Runners from across Scotland will take to the streets of Glasgow for the Great Scottish Run on Sunday.
The run, which includes a 10k, toddler dash, junior run, family mile and half marathon, passes some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Finnieston Crane, the Hydro and Pacific Quay before finishing in Glasgow Green.
It promises to be fun for the whole family.
Entry is £26. Visit www.greatscottishrun.com.
4 Wildlife Photographer of the Year
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, today until February 19 2017
Picture: Rosalind McFarlane
Showcasing some of the most astonishing sights in nature, this visually stunning exhibition will take your breath away.
The exhibit, which is on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, features 100 award-winning wildlife and landscape images from this year’s competition.
Read more: Haunted ruins on the banks of Loch Tay go on sale for £100,000
The contest, which launched in 1965, receives over 42,000 entries from 96 countries each year.
Entry is free. Visit www.nms.ac.uk.
5 Stand By Me… The History of Ben E King and The Drifters
Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow and Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, today and September 30
Theatre lovers will be able to immerse themselves in musical history this week when Stand By Me… The History of Ben E King and The Drifters visits Scotland.
The show features many of the group’s greatest hits, including Under the Boardwalk, Saturday Night at the Movies, Up on the Roof, Sweets for My Sweet and Stand By Me.
There will be an extra treat for Drifters fans as some of the legendary group’s former members will also perform during the show.
Tickets cost £26. Visit www.paviliontheatre.co.uk and www.alhambradunfermline.com.
6 Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB)
SSE Hydro, Glasgow, October 1
The Hydro will play host to one of the most historic events in Scottish Mixed Martial Arts history on Saturday when ACB arrives in Glasgow for its UK debut.
The action-packed event boasts a stellar line-up including Norman Parke, Saul Rogers and Mike Wilkinson.
Read more: Haunted ruins on the banks of Loch Tay go on sale for £100,000
The show will also feature a Scottish headliner for the first time ever, with Robert Whiteford headlining the event.
Ticket prices range from £34.05 to £73.80 including admin fee. Visit www.thessehydro.com.
7 The Hampden Snore
Hampden Park, Glasgow, September 30
Football fans will get the chance to have a rest pitch-side on Friday when Hampden opens its doors for a charity SleepOut.
Scotland’s national stadium will open its doors to five hundred lucky fans for the inaugural Snore, which has been backed by football legends including Denis Law, Kenny Dalglish and former Scotland manager Craig Brown.
Money raised during the event will be used by the Bethany Christian Trust and Street Soccer to tackle homelessness in Scotland.
Tickets are £10. Visit www.hampdensnore.com.
8 Balmaha’s Braw Weekend
The Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha, September 30-October 2
Foodies will be raising a glass and sampling some tasty Scottish morsels when the Braw Weekend returns to Balmaha on Friday.
Set in the stunning banks of Loch Lomond, the three-day festival includes whisky tastings, food and drink demonstrations, fairground rides, live music, a ceilidh and entertainment hosted by Central FM’s Joe Kilday.
There will also be a Lego play bus, craft stalls, magic shows and a call from Visit Scotland’s Highland Coo Van.
Ticket prices vary. Visit www.balmahasbrawweekend.co.uk.
9 Underground Extreme Paranormal Ghost Tour
Old Police Box, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, today until September 9 2017
Uncovering Edinburgh’s spooky past, this tour of the Scottish capital’s most haunted locations is not for the faint hearted.
The late night event visits the city’s famous underground vaults as well as the Old Wynds and a haunted graveyard.
Read more: Haunted ruins on the banks of Loch Tay go on sale for £100,000
Would-be ghost hunters will also be able to listen to tales of Edinburgh’s past during the adults-only tour.
Tickets cost £12 for adults and £11 for concessions. Visit www.cityofedinburghtours.com.
10 Borders Heritage Festival
Various venues, Borders, today until September 30
Showcasing the rich heritage of the Scottish Borders, this historic festival should not be missed.
The festival, which is in its eighth year, includes walks, talks, theatre, exhibitions, living history and archaeology events.
There will also be twilight tours around the Big Houses and the unveiling of a Polish map of Scotland at Barony Castle.
The festival finished on Friday so catch it while you still can.
Ticket prices vary. Visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/heritagefestival.
11 Wigtown Book Festival
Various venues, Wigtown, today until October 2
Literature lovers will flock to Wigtown this weekend when Scotland’s national book town hosts its annual literary festival. The popular festival features more than 280 events and has an impressive line-up of writers, including Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis, Mark Beaumont, left, Alastair McIntosh and broadcaster Sian Williams.
Ticket prices vary. Visit wigtownbookfestival.com.
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