Scotland Events and Festivals
There are a number of events to choose from throughout the year in Scotland and in different locations. Many of these have a cultural or artistic theme, while traditional highland games and various historical re-enactments also feature.
January
 Burns Night: Robbie Burns is Scotland’s most famous poet and usually on the 25th of the month (his birthday), the great man is honoured across the country, with locals getting together with friends and family to enjoy eating haggis and supping a few drams of whisky, while some of the most famous poems are recited.
Celtic Connections: held in Glasgow, this annual event is a celebration of Celtic music at which artists from around the world come to play various styles of music with Celtic influences including folk, rock, pipe and choir.
February
 Glasgow Film Festival: the country’s largest city hosts this 10-day event during which all manner of celluloid and digital productions are screened at selected cinemas across the centre.
March
 Glasgow International Comedy Festival: among the biggest stage-events in the country’s calendar, this festival sees domestic and international funny men and women come to tickle the ribs of enthusiastic spectators.
April
Edinburgh International Science Festival: the capital city hosts 12 days of science-based events including talks, demonstrations, workshops and edutainment shows.
 Scottish Ballet Spring Season:for four full weeks, the Scottish Ballet tours the country, giving major performances at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Beltane Fire Festival: on the last day of the month, Edinburgh hosts this bohemian event which acknowledges the end of spring and the beginning of summer.
May
Children's International Theatre Festival: venues in Edinburgh, and nationwide also, host cultural performances aimed at young spectators.
June
 Selkirk Common Riding: on the 18th of June, the town of Selkirk along with other parts of the country remember the Battle of Flodden on September 9, 1513. The day is marked with a ceremony known as the ‘Riding the Marches’.
July
Glasgow Fair: this is one of Glasgow’s most popular summer events and is one with origins dating back to the 12th century. Few if any of the fair’s original traditions are now observed but it’s a lively and interesting event all the same.
August
 Edinburgh Festival: famous around the world and often hailed as one of the best cultural events of its kind, the Edinburgh Festival is actually a series of events sharing similar themes under a blanket heading. The Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe are among the most popular events, both offering a fascinating selection of performance art.
September
Braemar Gathering: Braemar is only a small village; however, this popular annual event attracts visitors from around the country and even has seen a few royal faces among the spectators over the years. Expect Highland games as the headline attractions.
October
 Halloween:for the Celts, the 31st of October was significant because it was the last day of their calendar year. These days kids dress up as ghosts and ghouls and carve lanterns from turnips, while later in the day adults head for spookily themed parties.
November
Guy Fawkes Day: as part of Great Britain, Scotland remembers this infamous date in history when a plot was hatched by Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament. On the 5th of November the country enjoys firework displays and indulges in the consumption of traditional fare such as treacle toffee and Parkin cake.
December
Hogmanay Festival:much more than the regular end of year celebrations observed by the rest of the UK, Hogmanay is a traditional Scottish festival with its own unique practices and rituals that date back hundreds of years.
| 
