Cultural attractions

BEST OF SCOTLAND

Best of Scotland

Scotland’s Christmas gift guide: Steam trains, chocolate classes and tractor driving

There’s a great deal of talk now about making memories. It’s something we’ve always done without naming it, but it’s helpful to be reminded that more “stuff” isn’t the answer to every gift at Christmas ...

Lucianne McAvoy, Debbie Korley and Laura Cairns in Sweat at The Citizens

Lucianne McAvoy, Debbie Korley and Laura Cairns in Sweat at The Citizens

Citizens Theatre Glasgow

Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre named Great British Theatre 2026 after seven-year closure

Hundreds of swimmers turned up at the last dook on New Year's Day 2026.

Hundreds of swimmers turned up at the last dook on New Year's Day 2026.

New Year's Day Loony Dook cancelled as popular event became 'a safety issue'

Green MSP Maggie Chapman made the call on Bonfire Night.

Green MSP Maggie Chapman made the call on Bonfire Night.

Firework Control Zone

Greens call for fireworks sales ban on second anniversary of red panda's death

BEST OF SCOTLAND

Best of Scotland

Why there's more to modern-day Luss than 'adorning a wistful shortbread tin'

Artists, cultural organisations and charities have been told to leave St Margaret's House in Edinburgh by the end of January.

Artists, cultural organisations and charities have been told to leave St Margaret's House in Edinburgh by the end of January.

Swinney suggests artists facing eviction could be rehoused in government buildings

A drone perspective of Victoria Harbour in Dunbar, East Lothian, showing the historic stone pier, moored boats, and traditional residential buildings along the rocky North Sea coast.

A drone perspective of Victoria Harbour in Dunbar, East Lothian, showing the historic stone pier, moored boats, and traditional residential buildings along the rocky North Sea coast.

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Best of Scotland

The 'overlooked' Scottish seaside town that's the perfect place for a day out

Curator Harriet Reed with David Bowie's clown costume from his Ashes to Ashes video.

Curator Harriet Reed with David Bowie's clown costume from his Ashes to Ashes video.

My 10 unmissable highlights of Scotland's new David Bowie exhibition

V&A Dundee curator Svetlana Panova takes a closer look at a costume designed by Freddie Burretti for David Bowie's 1973 Ziggy Stardust tour.

V&A Dundee curator Svetlana Panova takes a closer look at a costume designed by Freddie Burretti for David Bowie's 1973 Ziggy Stardust tour.

First look: The David Bowie treasures going on public display in Scotland

The adventure comes to life when the train departs for a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by a cast of talented actors

The adventure comes to life when the train departs for a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by a cast of talented actors

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Cultural attractions

Polar Express train ride returns to Brechin for sixth season with tickets on sale now

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Best of Scotland

From alpacas to ice cream: the Scottish day out that's perfect for families

Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo every year.

Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo every year.

Edinburgh Castle

Should the Tattoo's temporary stadium be replaced with a stone amphitheatre?

Performers during the Samhuinn Fire Festival at Calton Hill, Edinburgh. The festival is a modern re-imagining of an ancient Celtic festival, marking the darkened end of summer and upcoming rise of winter. Picture date: Friday October 31, 2025. PA Photo.

Performers during the Samhuinn Fire Festival at Calton Hill, Edinburgh. The festival is a modern re-imagining of an ancient Celtic festival, marking the darkened end of summer and upcoming rise of winter. Picture date: Friday October 31, 2025. PA Photo.

Calton Hill Edinburgh

Thousands gather for Samhuinn Fire Festival’s dramatic summer-winter stand-off

More than 2.6 million visitors have flocked to V&A Dundee since the attraction opened in 2018.

More than 2.6 million visitors have flocked to V&A Dundee since the attraction opened in 2018.

V&A Dundee and Screen Scotland join forces to create Scottish cinema blockbuster

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Best of Scotland

Forget the city – Ayrshire has everything you need for a perfect day out

Edinburgh's Christmas festival ice rink has been axed after almost 30 years.

Edinburgh's Christmas festival ice rink has been axed after almost 30 years.

Inside Edinburgh's Christmas ice rink collapse as £1m cost is revealed

An artist's impression of the new outdoor events arena which is planned to be created beside the Hydro and Armadillo venues in Glasgow. Image: Holmes Miller

An artist's impression of the new outdoor events arena which is planned to be created beside the Hydro and Armadillo venues in Glasgow. Image: Holmes Miller

Budget 2026: UK Government backs new outdoor arena beside Hydro and Armadillo

The mummified remains of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt’s most famous female pharaoh, on display at the Cairo Museum. Two Glasgow museums are to remove Egyptian mummies from display

The mummified remains of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt’s most famous female pharaoh, on display at the Cairo Museum. Two Glasgow museums are to remove Egyptian mummies from display

Kelvingrove Museum and Art Galleries

Let's try having an intelligent discussion about mummies in museums

Edinburgh's Christmas festival ice rink has transformed part of George Street in recent years.

Edinburgh's Christmas festival ice rink has transformed part of George Street in recent years.

Christmas Events

Edinburgh's city centre Christmas ice rink axed after almost 30 years

The Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens West.

The Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens West.

City of Edinburgh Council

The future of Princes Street Gardens hangs in the balance. Can these Friends save it?

Lily Duncan (Granton Youth), Beda Rose (Granton Youth).

Lily Duncan (Granton Youth), Beda Rose (Granton Youth).

Children and young people

Edinburgh billboards showcase self-portraits by nine Granton Youth members

Kelvingrove Art Galleries and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Galleries and Museum

MARISSA MACWHIRTER

Kelvingrove Museum and Art Galleries

Sorry, but has Kelvingrove become Britain’s most apologetic museum?

Edinburgh Castle lit up in yellow to celebrate the Tour de France Grand Depart 2027

Edinburgh Castle lit up in yellow to celebrate the Tour de France Grand Depart 2027

2027 Tour de France

Exact route of Tour de France stage one as race comes to Scotland for first time

10-year-old lioness Bindee.

10-year-old lioness Bindee.

Edinburgh Zoo celebrates birth of two endangered Asiatic lion cubs in seven years

A colour slide of a photograph of Castle Stalker, Argyll, taken in 1986, from the Peter and Margaret Rourke Collection.

A colour slide of a photograph of Castle Stalker, Argyll, taken in 1986, from the Peter and Margaret Rourke Collection.

New digital archive aims to save Scotland's deteriorating castles

James and Hamish Innes from James Innes and Son who restored the Griffins.

James and Hamish Innes from James Innes and Son who restored the Griffins.

City of Edinburgh Council

19th-century griffin sculptures return to view in Edinburgh after 50 years in storage

Leith seeks big ideas for 900th birthday celebrations with £3,000 commissions

Camels in the Agafay Desert, with the Atlas Mountains in the background.

Camels in the Agafay Desert, with the Atlas Mountains in the background.

Why Marrakech should be on your autumn travel list: seven must-do experiences

Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay.

Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay.

Christmas Markets

Edinburgh Winter Festival names Halo as new sponsor for Christmas and Hogmanay events

Hill House in Helensburgh.

Hill House in Helensburgh.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

New visitor centre planned for Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House in Helensburgh

Fresh greenery arrives at George Square ahead of the project's completion.

Fresh greenery arrives at George Square ahead of the project's completion.

George Square £24million redevelopment moves forward as turf put down

The festive season is often defined by the moments spent with loved ones, and Fairmont St Andrews has carefully crafted a collection of experiences that encourage guests to slow down, reconnect and celebrate together

The festive season is often defined by the moments spent with loved ones, and Fairmont St Andrews has carefully crafted a collection of experiences that encourage guests to slow down, reconnect and celebrate together

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Cultural attractions

Fairmont St Andrews unveils a season of festive magic

Naismith: Yin And Yang is at The Lemond Gallery, Glasgow, from October 10 (daily until October 18

Naismith: Yin And Yang is at The Lemond Gallery, Glasgow, from October 10 (daily until October 18

Artist Scott Naismith explores creativity, balance and AI in new Glasgow exhibition

Utterances: Our vessels for the stories unspoken. Subaqueous violence. Sea. Ocean..., 2023, Performance Stanley Dock, Liverpool Biennial, England.

Utterances: Our vessels for the stories unspoken. Subaqueous violence. Sea. Ocean..., 2023, Performance Stanley Dock, Liverpool Biennial, England.

Glasgow exhibition to explore Scotland and South Asia’s textile histories

Gwilym Gibbons (Dynamic Earth), Helen Chomczuk (Dynamic Earth) and Caroline Clark (National Lottery Heritage Fund).

Gwilym Gibbons (Dynamic Earth), Helen Chomczuk (Dynamic Earth) and Caroline Clark (National Lottery Heritage Fund).

Edinburgh’s new Arthur’s Seat gallery begins construction after £253,000 funding

Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Holyroodhouse to unveil Christmas display inspired by Scottish legend

The world-renowned Glasgow Royal Concert Hall set the celebratory tone for the start of the Royal National Mòd, dedicating the flagship Ar Cànan ’s Ar Ceòl concert to marking four decades of Gaelic Medium Education in the city – an achievement

The world-renowned Glasgow Royal Concert Hall set the celebratory tone for the start of the Royal National Mòd, dedicating the flagship Ar Cànan ’s Ar Ceòl concert to marking four decades of Gaelic Medium Education in the city – an achievement

Forty years on, Glasgow's Gaelic success story sings loud and proud

Paisley Museum redevelopment project director Kirsty Devine outside the attraction's new main entrance.

Paisley Museum redevelopment project director Kirsty Devine outside the attraction's new main entrance.

Inside the £68.7m museum revamp helping to transform a Scottish town centre

The penguin parade is back after almost a year.

The penguin parade is back after almost a year.

Edinburgh Zoo’s penguin parade finally returns after ten-month hiatus

Diwali is the traditional Hindu celebration of light.

Diwali is the traditional Hindu celebration of light.

Christmas Markets

Diwali celebration to kick off Edinburgh's winter festival with dancing and fireworks

Image of how new visitor centre could look for Hill House

Image of how new visitor centre could look for Hill House

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Plans revealed for new visitor centre at Mackintosh's Hill House

Staff from the University of Edinburgh and University of Dundee demonstrating over budget cuts outside the Scottish Parliament last week

Staff from the University of Edinburgh and University of Dundee demonstrating over budget cuts outside the Scottish Parliament last week

Arts and culture

The Scottish Endarkenment has dawned in this dumbed-down nation

The statue of David Hume outside St Giles' Cathedral.

The statue of David Hume outside St Giles' Cathedral.

Church of Scotland

Why has Scotland's national cathedral introduced a £12 entry fee for tourists?

Charity urges tighter fireworks restrictions over animal suffering in Scotland

Edinburgh's skyline was lit up during the 'Castle of Light' event.

Edinburgh's skyline was lit up during the 'Castle of Light' event.

Edinburgh Castle

'Blindsided': Castle of Light creators speak out over Christmas event cancellation

BEST OF SCOTLAND

Best of Scotland

12 of the best Scottish staycations for October

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Palm Houses

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Palm Houses

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's Palm Houses reopen after five-year restoration

Charles Savage playing the part of a Roman Auxiliary soldier during the LEGION event in Rough Castle Community Woodland in Falkirk.

Charles Savage playing the part of a Roman Auxiliary soldier during the LEGION event in Rough Castle Community Woodland in Falkirk.

BEST OF SCOTLAND

Best of Scotland

In the footsteps of Rome: Exploring Scotland’s Roman past

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Cultural attractions

Hamilton hotel set for huge transformation with new restaurant and 40 jobs

Models wearing replica dresses similar to those thought to be worn by Mary Queen of Scots

Models wearing replica dresses similar to those thought to be worn by Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots

New exhibition to challenge perceptions of Mary Queen of Scots

BEST OF SCOTLAND

Best of Scotland

The tourist town that 'many Scots drive past' – but really shouldn’t

An artists impression of how the site may look

An artists impression of how the site may look

Cultural attractions

World-famous techno festival reveals new Glasgow riverside home

Many of us like a cup of coffee, but is £26 a pint too much to pay?

Many of us like a cup of coffee, but is £26 a pint too much to pay?

Why is the poor old coffee drinker being hammered for £26 a pint?

The Knife Angel in Leith.

The Knife Angel in Leith.

Knife sculpture leaves Edinburgh after month-long violence prevention programme