CARNEGIE FESTIVAL The most famous of Scots Americans, Andrew Carnegie, forged the world's greatest fortune in the steel furnaces of Pittsburgh. The Carnegie Festival will celebrate Carnegie's multi-dimensional legacy of education, innovation, arts and politics in his birthplace, Dunfermline. From 21st August to 6th September. www.carnegiefestival.com

 

PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Glasgow Green welcomes 8,000 pipes and drums, 200 bands, one world champion! With Highland Dancing, Drum Major Competitions and European Highland Games, The World Pipe Band Championships is a day of vibrant colours, passionate music and intense competition. Taking place on Saturday 15th August, it's an event not to be missed! www.theworlds.co.uk

PERTH The Fergusson Gallery hosts an exhibition, Fergusson: A Scottish Colourist which includes 40 paintings by J. D. Fergusson and associated artists. It also features work by the other Scottish Colourists, S. J. Peploe, F.C.B. Cadell and G.L. Hunter, selected from The Fergusson Gallery and Perth Museum & Art Gallery. The Scottish Colourists painted with a vibrancy of colour that still dazzles and inspires today. This exhibition takes a look at who inspired them, plus their roots in Scottish art and the inspiration they found abroad, in France. Fergusson outlived the other three artists by nearly 30 years. He was the most experimental of the group. The exhibition runs until 6th Feb 2010. The Fergusson Gallery, Marshall Place, is open Mon - Sat, 10.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. and admission is free. Call 01738 783425. www.pkc.gov.uk/museums

 

EDINBURGH The Dean Gallery highlights the talents of Four Scottish Painters until 28th June. This display of works from the Gallery of Modern Art's permanent collection concentrates on four Scottish artists of the post-Second World War period: Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, John Bellany, Alan Davie and Anne Redpath. All four painters have had a significant impact on the art of their own and following generations. Wilhelmina Barns-Graham moved to St Ives in Cornwall in 1940, while maintaining a studio in her hometown of St Andrews. John Bellany's expressionist paintings of his personal experiences, often informed by his upbringing in a Scottish fishing village, have received widespread acclaim. The intuitive abstraction of Alan Davie owes much to his Zen Buddhism and jazz musicianship, and contains a vocabulary of symbolism based on sources as varied as aboriginal art and American Indian pottery. Anne Redpath's renowned standing was built on sensuously painted interiors (see pic) and landscapes. Entrance is free.

ABERDEEN The Art Gallery hosts The Tartan Lens, an exhibition of a selection of albumen prints by Aberdonian George Washington Wilson, one of the earliest commercial photo-graphers. These have been selected by Dr Tom Normand, Senior Lecturer at the University of St Andrews, and renowned expert on Scottish photography. The Tartan Lens runs until 5th September and admission is free. Details from 01224 523700.

 

EDINBURGH The Royal Botanic Garden is where to learn about Real Life Science - Scottish Trees on Saturday 27th June. Scotland has between 14 and 21 native trees, depending on how you define a tree. Go along and find out how to identify common Scottish trees and discover how to use techniques of botanical illustration to draw them. In the Exhibition hall from 12.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Free, no booking is required.

EVENTS GUIDE Edinburgh, Lothian & Scottish Borders' outdoor events guide is back with a new edition full of more ideas than ever, funded by Scottish Natural Heritage & Forestry Commission Scotland. Why not grab a free copy of the Outdoor Diary and let it lead you into our beautiful local wild places? Available free of charge, the 2009/10 edition of the Outdoor Diary is a non-profit publication that promotes outdoor events and activities in Edinburgh, Lothians and the Scottish Borders. More than 30 organisations have listed their programmes this year, from the Scottish Seabird Centre, to rangers services, festival and fair organisers and natural art and craft practitioners. This pocket-sized publication covers a whole year's-worth of events. The Outdoor Diary is available from libraries, Tourist Information Centres, Visitor Centres, local Ranger Services and Community Centres throughout Edinburgh, Lothians and the Borders. Individual copies can be requested online. www.outdoor-diary.info

 

EDINBURGH Edinburgh hosts one of the great weekends of the summer from 25th to 28th June. 160,000 visitors can't be wrong! That's the numbers that attend the Royal Highland Show, one of Scotland's top summer attractions, held at Ingliston near Edinburgh airport. A visit to the Royal Highland Show offers a multitude of features to enjoy with fine food and drink, prize-winning livestock, outdoor living and countryside, traditional rural skills, music, cookery demonstrations, forestry events, farm machinery, handicrafts, heavy horses and shopping, and these are just a few of the exciting attractions. This year a special welcome awaits overseas visitors - all part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations. Look out for a colourful tartan feel with pipes and drums and other distinctive Scottish traditions. Whether your passion is beef cattle or BMX bikes, fashion or falconry, shortbread or sheepdog trials, a visit to the Royal Highland Show will leave your senses tingling. Daily admission is £22, but for further details on pre-booked tickets and concessions, check out the website. www.royalhighlandshow.org

CLAN MAPS Scottish castles and Scottish clan and family names feature in two new maps from Collins. Collins Clan & Family Names (ISBN 978-0-00-730028-0) features more than 170 arms, the official insignia of clan chiefs and crest badges, over 1000 surnames with clan connections, ancient territories of principal clans and clan-related tourist attractions. Collins Castles (978-0-00-728951-6) highlights Scotland's finest castles, details of public access, Historic Scotland and National Trust for Scotland ownership, notable gardens and grounds and contact numbers and websites. Both maps are available from bookshops priced £5.99 each.

 

GATEHOUSE OF FLEET The town's Burns Club is the venue for a performance of Tea With Clarinda on 12th June. Tea With Clarinda is a stage play, written by Anna Hillis, about a meeting between Jean Burns, Robert Burns' widow, and Nancy McLehose with whom Burns had a romantic friendship. (Burns and Nancy wrote many letters to each other using the pen-names Sylvander and Clarinda.) Cheryl Anne Easton plays the part of Jean and Anna Hillis plays the part of Nancy. Tea With Clarinda also tours to Bowhill Theatre, Selkirk on 27th June and the Theatre Royal, Dumfries on 4th July.

MOUNTAINS Scotland's mountainous landscape can be explored online thanks to the walkers' website www.walkhighlands.co.uk Virtual Highlands allows users to visualise and explore 500 walks. Users can switch to a first-person view at any time, enabling them to experience the scene as from the ground. Viewers can even walk around in the virtual world and see where the nearest accommodation is. The site is also launching a system for Munro-baggers, enabling hillwalkers to log which mountains they have climbed, as well as sharing their experiences with others.

 

COWAL The Cowal Peninsula, rich in wildlife and historic castles, is in focus in a new map from Rucksack Readers. Printed on waterproof paper, The Cowal Way (with Isle of Bute) is a lavishly illustrated guidebook which includes a route map and 80 colour photographs, plus practical information about public transport, wildlife habitats and visitor attractions. www.rucsacs.com

WILDCATS The Scottish Wildcat Association, which has spent the last year championing the cause of the Scottish wildcat online and in the press, has been now been registered as a Scottish charity dedicated to saving this predator. Resident in Britain for at least two million years wildcats have shared the countryside with everything from woolly mammoths to cave lions and survived entire ice ages, but more recently have fallen foul of human persecution, urban development and, increasingly, hybridisation with domestic feral cats bringing numbers crashing down. The Association is run voluntarily and keeps overheads to a minimum so that maximum funds, generated through memberships and donations, go on frontline projects such as the official captive breeding-for-release programme, a range of awareness and educational campaigns and field conservation. Readers can make donations or sign up as a member of the Association at www.scottishwildcats.co.uk which also includes a wealth of information on the cats, up-and-coming projects, some stunning photography provided by wildlife photographers Laurie Campbell and Peter Cairns and an online shop selling related products such as DVDs, books and artist David Mayer’s beautiful wildcat bronze, all of which donate percentages of sales to the charity.

 

ECO FESTIVAL Falkland stages Big Tent 2009, Scotland’s largest eco festival on 25th and 26th July, organised by Falkland Centre for Stewardship. Appearing are stalwarts of the Scottish folk and fusion scene Shooglenifty, the Nuala Kennedy Band, Dundee legend Michael Marra and the Joe Acheson Quartet, amongst many others. Government funding means that a brand new Climate Champions Zone will feature at Big Tent 2009, plus a series of Earth Action Talks in association with WWF Scotland, a dedicated Bicycle Park and a brand new Wood Zone. Stomachs are catered for as well with the Food Village, Cooking Demonstration Tent and Black Island Brewery Pavilion serving a special Big Tent Brew made from organic barley grown on the Falkland Estate. Big Tent Programme Director Mike Small said, “Our maximum audience is 6000 per day here in Falkland and our ambition is to create a perfect-sized festival aimed at a family audience.” Tickets cost £12 (£10 concessions) per day, weekend tickets £20 (£16 concessions). Under 12s accompanied by an adult have free entry. www.bigtentfestival.co.uk

FLIGHT MUSEUM East Fortune airfield in East Lothian is home to the National Museum of Flight which has opened two new permanent attractions as part of a major £2 million investment. Fantastic Flight and Fortunes of War showcase the secrets of flight as well as the fascinating history of East Fortune, from its early years as an airship base, through two world wars and the onset of the Cold War. Fantastic Flight uses a mix of fascinating interactive exhibits and historic objects to highlight the wonders of flight, while Fortunes of War builds on the Second World War character of East Fortune airfield and tells the fascinating story of the people who worked there. Open daily until 1st November from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Admission charges are adult, £8.50; concession £6.50; child under 12 free, which includes a Concorde Boarding Pass. www.nms.ac.uk

 

WALKING Scotland is best explored on foot — what better way to see the beauty and magnificence of the countryside? Recently published is an indispensable guide from Frommer’s — Best Walking Trips In Scotland, which details 57 trails and routes throughout the country. Aimed at every ability level, the guide includes detailed directions and GPS coordinates, plus a full-colour wildlife viewing guide to help identify what you’ll see along the way and accommodation and eating recommendations. Best Walking Trips In Scotland (ISBN 978-0-470-15989-7) costs £12.99 and is available from bookshops or online at www.amazon.co.uk

CELTIC FESTIVAL Stornoway plays host to the Hebridean Celtic Festival, voted one of Scotland’s top five festivals, from 15th to 18th July. The leading Celtic performers at this year’s four-day event include The Sharon Shannon Big Band, La Bottine Souriante, Michael McGoldrick Band, Blair Douglas Band, The Wilders, Karen Matheson, Fred Morrison, The Chair and Le Vent du Nord. Caroline MacLennan, the Festival Director said: “We are widely known as the Homecoming Festival, which is particularly appropriate this year. Our festival-goers love the music, the setting, the welcome they get from our community and the fact that we’re family friendly.” www.hebceltfest.com

 

BOAT FESTIVAL Portsoy Harbour will be a sight to behold with traditional boats from far and wide docking at the fishing town for the 16th annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival from 2nd to 5th July. This spectacular event will also include other delights for the senses, with music, food and entertainment. A major event in the Homecoming 2009 calendar, the festival has been extended by two days this year to include a symposium of speakers from around the world. Special seminars in all things maritime, such as shanty, boat design, sail weaving and gansey knitting, will take place around the harbour. The renovated Salmon Bothy, which opened at last year’s festival, is now a fully fledged museum of Portsoy’s history and the salmon fishery. “Upstairs at the Bothy” hosts exhibitions, demonstrations and entertainment and for those wishing to explore their roots, there’s a fully equipped genealogical research facility. Entry to the harbour is £8.00 for adults, £5.00 for concessions and children aged 5-15, and free for children under 5. There is no charge for parking. www.scottishtraditionalboatfestival.co.uk

EDINBURGH The National Gallery of Scotland reveals an undiscovered side to the work of Robert Adam (1728-1792) — his landscape fantasies. Adam was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment and one of the most innovative architects in Britain in the 18th century, world-renowned for his “Adam Style”. Robert Adam’s Landscape Fantasies is an exhibition dedicated to his picturesque landscapes which were made towards the end of his life, purely for his own relaxation and enjoyment. The watercolours on display feature magnificent castles perched perilously on towering mountain tops and steep cliff faces surrounded by gushing waterfalls, rivers and gorges. Adam’s atmospheric landscapes are spectacularly lit, with dark, heavy skies and long, brooding shadows. Robert Adam was born in Kirkcaldy in 1728, and moved with his family to Edinburgh at a young age. He started his professional career working in his father’s successful architectural practice in the capital. One of his first commissions was to undertake the building and rebuilding of the Highland forts after the conclusion of the Jacobite Uprising of 1745. In 1758, he moved to London where he opened his own architectural practice. He quickly became the fashionable architect of the day and in 1761 was appointed Royal Architect to King George III. Robert Adam’s Landscape Fantasies includes over 30 watercolours, including his spectacular rendition of Cullen Castle. The exhibition runs until 2nd August and admission is free.

 

Isle of Skye A community group on Skye are launching a worldwide appeal to raise funds to celebrate the story of Norman Collie and John Mackenzie, two outdoor pioneers who climbed the Cuillin and fished the lochs and rivers of the island. The way they are proposing to raise funds is unusual, if not unique. People will have the opportunity to donate a certain weight of bronze, to go towards building the statue. This will be recorded on a certificate with the participant’s name and the weight of bronze donated. Each certificate will be numbered, signed and dated. This will be a chance for everyone to participate in a piece of history in the making on the Isle of Skye and have it recorded for posterity. For more details visit the website. www.skyesculpture.com

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT The Sports Development Foundation (SDF) raises money from donations from individuals and companies on a project by project basis for sports clubs and sporting organisations looking to raise money for new sporting facilities. SDF is a new registered Scottish charity. The charity is looking to help to develop a network of volunteers and fundraisers throughout Scotland who wish to give their time to help Scottish sport. If anyone is interested in helping to raise money and have some fun, they could help by doing fundraising activities like parachute jumping, or if they want to keep fit and raise money there is a 5K run in Holyrood Park in Edinburgh on Sunday 20th September. www.sdfscotland.org.