by Finlay Scott
1 World Gymnastics Championship
SSE Hydro, Glasgow, from Fri
The event that gymnasts worldwide aspire to is coming to Glasgow. With over 500 gymnasts from 80 countries vying for world titles and important qualification points for the Rio Olympics next year, these 10 days will be a sight not to miss. Competing in a six-strong home men’s team will be four of Team GB’s London 2012 medal winners - Max Whitlock, Louis Smith, Kristian Thomas and Daniel Purvis - while the women’s team will include sisters Rebecca and Ellie Downie and multiple Commonwealth Games champion Claudia Fragapane. Tickets start at £10. www.2015worldgymnastics.com
2 Aberdeen Film Festival
Various venues, from Fri
With an array of domestic and foreign films both long and short, set in the past, present, and future there’s something here for most tastes. The opening film - The Students of Springfield Street - focuses on 24 hours in the lives of six friends, dealing with themes such as debt, sickness, lies, drugs, and assault. If that sounds a bit heavy going, comedy-drama picks include the Swiss-made Unlikely Heroes. Entry is £4 per film, of which 25% goes to local homeless charity Aberdeen Cyrenians. www.aberdeenfilm.com
3 Oktoberfest
Glasgow Green, until Sun
A festival that does wonders every year for livening up a dull, cold month - and 2015 looks to be no exception, with plenty of Munich-inspired food and beer on tap. Don’t let the weather put you off - the event is held in a huge 2500-person capacity tent, for which you can book online, or turn up on the day. Pricing runs from £2.50 on Thursday and Sunday to £5 on Friday and £6 on Saturday. There hasn’t been better excuse to drink copious amounts of beer and sing songs since the last Scotland match. www.glasgow-oktoberfest.co.uk
4 Spooky Hallowe’en
Newhailes, Musselburgh, Sat-Sun
Take a fun and spooky guided tour of a historic 17th century manor estate on the outskirts of Edinburgh - destined to delight the kids ahead of Hallowe’en. With waterproofs and wellies very much encouraged, tiny terrors can a pick up a trail guide and explore before collecting a prize and joining in with arts and crafts activities from the National Trust for Scotland’s ranger team - all for £5 a child online, or £6 at the door. Be sure to come dressed up in a scary costume to frighten away the ghosts! www.nts.org.uk/Property/Newhailes/Events
5 Carvefest
Tweed Valley Green, Peebles, Sat-Sun
Ever wondered how people armed with only a chainsaw manage to make those ornate wooden statues? Now’s your chance to find out with Peebles hosting a ‘carvefest’ as part of this weekend’s Tweed Valley Forest Festival. A great day out in the fresh air with flying chainsaws, time trials, competitions and auctions for the statues, Britain’s 12 best chainsaw carvers are set to take part, including the top three winners of the Scottish Carving Championship. Sure to keep the kids occupied, the festival also features the 9th Scottish Conker Championships and a food market. www.forest-festival.com
6 Galloway Hills Rally
Castle Douglas, Sun
Ending the 2015 season with a bang, this exciting motoring event has been held annually since 1974. Organisers promise a typically compact and enjoyable 80-mile route, winding through six gravel stages to the north west of Castle Douglas in Galloway Forest Park. As well as teams from around Scotland, turning up to take part will be competitors from Northern Ireland and the north of England. Watch from four special spectator points - or if you really want to get alongside the action, you can also volunteer as a race marshal. www.gallowayhillsrally.co.uk
7 Dundee Literary Festival
Various venues across Dundee, until Sun
If you want an inexpensive way to entertain the family while still appearing intellectual, look no further than the Dundee Literary Festival. Culminating in an award ceremony featuring a £10,000 prize, a packed programme of events including talks from well-known wordsmiths such as Nick Frost, Jackie Kay and Janice Galloway started on Wednesday. The majority of the festival is held in the University of Dundee, with reading clubs taking place in local bookshops and fun events for children to look out for in Bonar Hall helping keep even the very youngest busy. www.literarydundee.co.uk/festival
8 Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Across Edinburgh, from Fri
For a festival that expands every year, this year’s theme - stories without borders - is one that rings true. Featuring stories and singing at the National Library and Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, there are also Gaelic book clubs, canal rides, and kids clubs. With such a large variety of events planned, many free or very cheap, there are plenty of options for an affordable and fun day out for the family. Starting on Friday and finishing on November 1, for the full schedule check out tracscotland.org/festivals
9 Gin Festival Edinburgh
Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Fri-Sat
Another one for the over-18s, as the UK’s largest gin festival arrives in the capital for the first time, with multiple sessions, a free drinks glass, and plenty of opportunities to buy food and large volumes of gins without feeling guilty. Featuring live entertainment, talks from industry experts, and lots of chit-chat with other gin lovers, entry is £8, with drinks tokens available for £5. And don’t worry if you’re a gin newbie - the event is designed to be welcoming, so with any luck you’ll be up to speed in no time. www.ginfestival.com/events/gin-festival-edinburgh-2015
10 Bo’ness and Kinneil Steam Gala
Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway, Sat-Sun
Experience life on the steam railways of the past with an array of beautifully restored heritage locomotives and expert tour guides. Top billing goes to the stunning 152-year-old Furness Railway No20, making its first visit to Scotland for the weekend. On all weekend, return trip tickets start at £6 for children and £10 for adults, with a range of family bundles also available. There’s also plenty for visitors to enjoy elsewhere around the site, including a new visitor trail, a model railway display, and the Museum of Scottish Railways - Scotland’s largest railway museum. www.bkrailway.co.uk
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