From food and drink festivals to concerts and ceilidhs, sporting championships to tests of endurance, EventScotland is supporting a range of sport, cultural and music events. They are set to take place across a range of venues and locations across Scotland over the next two months.
26 April to 1 May 2023
Speyside
Whisky connoisseurs will be delighted by the return of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. From distilleries to village halls, to local whisky bars, historic castles and the great outdoors, a range of over 500 events will take place throughout the scenic region of Speyside this spring.
Visit the Spirit of Speyside website for details.
The distinct rooftops of Cardhu Distillery in Moray (credit: VisitScotland/North East 250/Damian Shields)
30 April to 6 May 2023
Kinlochleven near Glencoe
The Scottish Six Days Trial is a motorcycle trial with a difference! It has the additional test of reliability over long distances with riders completing up to 100 miles each day over six consecutive days. Each day they will take on a combination of rough moorland, rocky tracks and public roads in the best - and worst - weather the Highlands of Scotland can throw at them! To ride 100 miles and negotiate 30 sections each day for six consecutive days requires strength, expertise and exceptional reliability from both rider and machine.
7 May 2023
Knockhill Racing Circuit
For the first time, MacTuff has launched an adult event to take place in May, with a choice of distances to suit all levels of fitness. The seven kilometres will attract both first timers and returning participants alike. Also 15 kilometres and 21 kilometres distances for those looking to push both their physical and mental dexterity. Dunfermline Pipers will provide a stirring send-off at the start as competitors set off in a haze. From coloured smoke bombs and fireworks and take on fun natural and manmade obstacles. They will navigate through grass, woodland, mud and water, before finishing to a well-earned medal.
11 to 14 May 2023
Scottish Borders
Spectators can expect a fun and exciting day out watching the three-day competition unfold within the prestigious grounds at Floors Castle. Get up close and watch competitors from olympic level to local riders from the Scottish Borders compete against each other in the dressage, show jumping and cross country phases. Don’t forget to bring your furry friends along and enter the dog show, there are a variety of classes including specific breeds and novelty classes for all ages. The dog show runs on both Saturday and Sunday alongside a gun dog demonstration each day at midday.
Visit the Floors Castle website for details.
Horse and rider making a jump at Floors Castle International Horse Trials (credit: Action Replay Photography)
18 to 27 May 2023
Perth
Perth Festival of the Arts returns for 10 arts-packed days across the city's cultural and historic venues. Bringing live music, opera, drama, comedy, visual arts and literature. Featuring renowned artists such as Richard E Grant, Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, The Ayoub Sisters, Iain Stirling, and George Hinchliffe's Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Additionally, showcasing the best of up-and-coming talent in Scotland.
Visit the Perth Festival website for details.
George Hinchliffe's Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain (credit: Stefan Mager)
25 to 28 May 2023
Orkney
Leading artists from the US, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, England, Wales and throughout Scotland will join 28 home-grown Orcadian artists at the music festival. A total of 47 events in 18 venues across the county form the landmark anniversary programme. This is including concerts, ceilidhs, clubs, workshops and family events.
27 May 2023
Inverness
One of Scotland’s most exciting live acts will headline the fourth outing of the Inverness music festival. Celebrating the best of the Highlands and Scotland with live music, culture, food and drink. The four-piece folk pop band Tide Lines will headline alongside the most famous bagpipe band in the world Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Also performing, the most in demand folk groups to emerge from Scotland in the last decade Talisk and energetic trad/folk group Hò-rò.
Visit The Gathering Scotland website for details.
The crowd at The Gathering 2022 festival (credit: Paul Campbell Photography)
The latest round of EventScotland’s Community Cycling Fund has been awarded to 24 events around Scotland with many taking place over April and May. These events encompass an exciting range of activities including guided rides, skills development, mechanic workshops; vintage cycles, STEM through sport. These events will help showcase the power of the bike as part of a national celebration of cycling in the build-up to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
Visit the latest news story on the EventScotland Community Cycling Fund for more information.
28 - 30 April 2023
Aberfoyle
Grand Old Dukes is a brand-new long-distance gravel cycling challenge of 111 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing. Around this will be free to attend women's cycling sessions and adaptive cycle sessions plus pump track and kids offerings.
29 April 2023
Orkney
The event is designed to encourage participation in an inclusive community focused cycling event on the island of Hoy. Sir Chris Hoy has agreed to participate in the cycling event which has been staged to coincide with the official opening of the recently renovated Scapa Flow Museum.
30 April 2023
Peebles
Power Of The Bike Day, specially-created for TweedLove Bike Festival, aims to get everyone on their bikes – especially younger riders, older riders and reluctant riders. There are kids’, city and electric bikes to try. Including a car-free ‘Take Back The Streets’ ride through the town, kids zone, coaching tips, test loops, fun tracks and more – all in the fun atmosphere of Scotland’s best bike festival.
5 to 7 May 2023
Innerleithen
Muck n' Mac Fest is a unique gravel riding festival weekend - all staged at Traquair House in the heart of the Tweed Valley. The festival features three fantastic days of gravel riding across some of the most epic gravel trails and roads the country has to offer. After the ride has been completed, there will be an array of live music from Friday through to Sunday from a carefully selected line-up of artists to keep you entertained all weekend. There is also a wide range of activities geared toward families. Alongside the live music expect to see yoga classes, introductory bike sessions for kids and adults, camping and much more!
14 May 2023
Gourock
Gourock Highland Games is a great day out for all, with piping, dancing, heavies events, a funfair, delicious food and drink, craft stalls and kid’s entertainment. To mark Scotland’s hosting of the UCI Cycling World Championships, there will be guided bike tours to the Esplanade, bike safety checks and a cycle track where you can improve your skills. This will be all delivered by Inverclyde’s Community Tracks initiative.
20 May 2023
Overtoun Park
21 May 2023
Cambuslang Park
There are two cycling festivals, one in Cambuslang Park and one in Overtoun Park, Rutherglen. These will include sessions on our portable track, loan bikes, guided rides, cycling lessons for adults and children, Dr Bike, bike security marking, upcycling activities, games and other fun activities. All activities are free of charge.
26 – 28 May 2023
Motherwell
This will include an exciting array of activities, led by Socialtrack, Clydesdale Colts, Scottish Bike Trial and more. There will be skills demo’s, led rides and complementary activity from our in-house greenspace teams, like the Countryside Ranger Service.
27 May 2023
West Lothian
From balance bikes to British champions, the day will be a star-studded celebration of all things on wheels, and a fun day for all the family. With coaching for beginners, all ability cycling, fun rides, active travel, try out sessions and a grand parade around the circuit. The evening will kick off with racing for all levels with mens and women prize fund parity.