What’s on this August

Scotland’s summer of acclaimed cultural, sporting and music events and festivals continues with local communities and people from around the world having the chance to experience the wide variety of activities Scotland has to offer. As the momentum gathers, it guarantees to be another exciting month of events, proving that the buzz is well and truly back in Scotland.

Among the excitement is the 75th anniversary of three Edinburgh Festivals while further afield a rich array of cultural and music events, including Highland Games and piping competitions, will showcase Scottish culture and heritage to national and international audience. We can also look forward to the continuation of Scotland’s Summer of Golf, with the AIG Women’s Open offering a thrilling week of high-quality sport in East Lothian.

The events listed are supported through EventScotland’s National and International Event Programmes with a number of the events forming part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022. Find out more information about Scotland’s Year of Stories and all upcoming events here.

The Black Isle Show

In-person event from 3 August until 4 August in The Highlands.

Enjoy a weekend in the Highlands for the largest agricultural show in the north of Scotland. The Black Isle Show promises to be an entertaining event, exhibiting some of the best equestrian show jumping, livestock exhibits, food and crafts from across the country.

Visit The Black Isle Show website for more information.

Sgeul at Under Canvas (Year of Stories 2022)

In-person event from 3 August until 8 August in Inverness.

Inspired by the stories and voices of Scotland’s people and landscapes, Sgeul Under Canvas is a multi-arts festival that celebrates Scottish contemporary and traditional folk music. The week-long festival programme has an exciting range of performances from artists across the country that represent diverse voices within Scotland.

Visit the Eden Court website for more information.

AIG Women’s Open

In-person event from 4 August until 7 August in East Lothian.

Experience the very best of women’s golf as the AIG Women’s Open comes to the sea-side links course of Muirfield in Gullane. The tournament is considered one of the most prestigious international major events on the women’s golf calendar and is not to be missed.

Visit AIG Women’s Open website for more information.

SEALL ‘An Tinne’ (Year of Stories 2022)

In-person event from 4 August until 6 August in the Highlands.

A unique Gaelic festival that focuses on the story of one Skye family’s journey from Kilmuir to Australia during the Highland clearances, An Tinne is an inspirational project that looks to explore these stories through Gaelic song, poetry and talks. The programme includes a wide variety of poets, singers and performers and will help to promote Gaelic culture and language on Skye and across the country.

Visit SEALL website for more information.

Fringe By The Sea

In-person event from 5 August until 14 August in East Lothian.

Join the festivities as North Berwick is transformed into a cultural hub of music, poetry, street performances, comedy, and much more for Fringe by the Sea. This event brings together artists from all over to celebrate the festival season in an idyllic seaside setting.

Visit Fringe by the Sea website for more information.

Edinburgh International Festival

In-person event from 5 August until 28 August in Edinburgh.

Discover national and international talent from the world of opera, music, theatre and dance, with events taking place across the capital city, and in celebration of its 75th anniversary this year there is guaranteed to be something for everyone.

Visit Edinburgh International Festival website for more information.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

In-person event from 5 August until 29 August in Edinburgh

Celebrating its 75th anniversary as well, the cultural icon that is Edinburgh Festival Fringe returns with full live shows in theatres, venues and public spaces across Edinburgh. Be in the centre of it all with the expanded Fringe street events, which will bring the city to life with tantalising performances across a range of genres.  With vendors, buskers, and opportunities for group participation, it is the perfect family day out this August.

Visit Edinburgh Fringe website for more information.

Aboyne Highland Games

In-person event on 6 August in Aberdeenshire.

Experience a day of traditional Scottish festivities just outside the spectacular Cairngorm National Park for the Aboyne Highland Games. Returning to regular programming after two years of disruptions, the games will offer locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy traditional piping, Highland dancing, caber tossing, and much more.

Visit Aboyne Highland Games website for more information.

An Lanntair: The Brilliant and Forever (Year of Stories 2022)

In-person event on 6 August in Na h-Eileanan Siar.

Visit the enchanting Isle of Lewis and Harris for unique literary festival in celebration of, native author, Kevin MacNeil’s cult novel The Brilliant and Forever. The novel is an inspiring tale set on the island and the festival will feature some of the iconic themes of the book, including the historic Green Castle, where the festival will take place, as well as music, book stalls, food and alpaca merchandise.

Visit An Lanntair website for more information.

Beer and Berries

In-person event on 6 August in Angus.

Beer and Berries is a celebration of Angus’ high-quality food and drink set in the beautiful walled gardens of Hospitalfield House, Arbroath. This year’s festival theme ‘Soil’ celebrates the invaluable resource that helps to produce high quality fruit and vegetables. The festival offers many workshops highlighting the importance of protecting our environment for future generations of growers.

Visit Hospitalfield website for more information.

Inverkeithing Highland Games

In-person event on 6 August in Fife.

Join in on the excitement as the Inverkeithing Highland Games celebrate their momentous 50th Games. With a diverse programme of sporting, music and cultural events to enjoy, the Inverkeithing Games promise to be a fun day for all.

Visit Inverkeithing Highland Games website for more information.

North Berwick Highland Games

In-person event on 6 August in East Lothian.

Experience the dramatic scenes of heavy caber timber being tossed at impossible heights or listen to the hums of hundreds of pipers from around the world at the North Berwick Highland Games. Attracting nearly 15,000 attendees in previous years, the North Berwick Games guarantee to be an exciting day of traditional and contemporary celebrations of Scottish culture.

Visit North Berwick Highland Games website for more information.

Piping Live!

In-person event from 6 August until 14 August in Glasgow.

Amateur and professional pipers make their way to Glasgow this month for the momentous return of the internationally acclaimed festival, Piping Live! The city will become a hub for piping, attracting musicians and attendees from all over to enjoy this week-long festival, which will have concerts, recitals and workshops to choose from across a variety of venues.

Visit Piping Live! website for more information.

Bridge of Allan Highland Games

In-person event on 7 August in Stirlingshire.

Nestled in the Ochil Hills and set against the iconic National Wallace Monument, the Bridge of Allan Games return to the historic region for an exciting day of traditional Scottish activities. With performances from Highland dancers and esteemed pipers to exhibitions of unbelievable strength from top international strongmen, the Games are not to be missed.

Visit Bridge of Allan Highland Games website for more information.

R&A Girls and Boys Amateur Championship

In-person event from 8 August until 14 August in Angus.

Young golfers make history at Carnoustie as the R&A Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur Championship will be played at the same venue, with both girls and boys taking centre stage on the course together for the first time. The competition attracts a range of young international golfers who exhibit astounding talent and promise in the sport, with the hope of joining professional tours in the years to come.

Visit Randa website for information on the R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship.

Visit Randa website for information on the R&A Boys Amateur Championship.

Edinburgh International Film Festival

In-person from 12 August until 20 August in Edinburgh.

Connecting storytellers from around the world and attracting a wide range of audiences to the capital, the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) provides a dynamic programme of cinema screenings, live performance and industry workshops. There is much to celebrate at the 75^th anniversary of EIFF this year, including FILM FEST IN THE CITY in St Andrew Square Garden which will host free outdoor screenings of cinema favourites and a special Year of Stories 2022 segment ‘Scotland’s Stories on Screen’, which places a spotlight on Scottish voices and narratives.

Visit the Edinburgh International Film Festival website for more information.

ScottFest22

In-person event from 12 August until 14 August in The Borders.

Take a step back in time as the grounds and gardens of Abbotsford are transformed in celebration of Sir Walter Scott’s birthday at ScottFest22. With a range of activities to enjoy, including jousting, falconry, live music and more, this unique Border festival promises to be an unforgettable weekend.

Visit Data Thistle website for more information.

World Pipe Band Championships

In-person event from 12 August until 13 August in Glasgow.

The pinnacle in pipe band competition calendar, the World Pipe Band Championships are back after two years. The best pipers and drummers from around the world will descend on Glasgow Green for two days of intense competition in the hopes of clinching the ultimate prize in pipe band competition.

Visit The Worlds website for more information.

Edinburgh International Book Festival

Hybrid event from 13 August until 29 August in Edinburgh.

Join the festivities as the Edinburgh Book Festival, the largest celebration of written word in the world, returns this month. This hybrid event has 600 events taking place, which can be attended at the Book Festival’s quaint leafy village in Edinburgh Old Town or in the comfort of your home. As part of this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival, ‘Scotland’s Stories Now’ is a Year of Stories 2022 segment that celebrates the unique picture of Scotland today and what it means to be Scottish through the medium of literature. There is plenty to choose from and will be an unforgettable event.

Visit Edinburgh International Book Festival website for more information.

Party at the Palace

In-person event from 13 August until 14 August in West Lothian.

Join the fun at this summer party set against the historic Linlithgow Palace, as Party at the Palace returns with a stellar line up of acts. This two-day festival will host more than 70 incredible acts including Ocean Colour Scene, Del Amitri, the Human League, Altered Images, Hue and Cry, Sophie Ellis Bextor plus and many more for a great weekend of music.

Visit Party at the Palace website for more information.

Otherlands Festival

In-person event from 19 August until 21 August in Perthshire.

Get lost in the music as Otherlands Festival brings an eclectic mix of techno, punk, rock and rap music to Scone Palace, Perth. The festival will have five stages to choose from and camping facilities, which means you can party into the night and enjoy this cutting-edge, sensory trip into the unknown.

Visit Otherlands Festival website for more information.

Stirling Highland Games

In-person event on 20 August in Stirling.

The Stirling Highland Games hosts a wide variety of traditional sporting and cultural performances for everyone to enjoy, whilst maintaining a ‘festival style’ day out with street food traders, whisky and gin bars, and local craft stalls. Welcoming over 8,000 visitors annually, the games celebrate people of all abilities in this unique exhibition of culture.

Visit Stirling Highland Games website for more information.

Crieff Highland Gathering

In-person event on 21 August in Perthshire.

One of the most highly anticipated Highland Games of the year, the Platinum Jubilee Crieff Highland Gathering returns with an exciting line-up of traditional highland sport and cultural exhibitions, as well as a line-up of traditional and contemporary music performances from across the country.

Visit Crieff Highland Gathering website for more information.

Aberdeen Mela - One World Day

In-person event on 21 August in Aberdeenshire.

Celebrating cultural diversity in the Northeast, the Aberdeen Mela – One World Day will return to Westburn Park for a festival of multiculturalism in the form of music, dancing and food. The event celebrates Asian and other ethnic communities based in Aberdeen and across the UK, bringing people together for a fun day out.

Visit Mela Aberdeen website for more information.

Cowal Highland Gathering

In-person event from 25 August until 27 August in Argyll and Bute.

The Cowal Highland Gathering is a spectacular exhibition of traditional Scottish sport and music, and the event welcomes almost 23,000 visitors each year to experience this fantastic weekend of games. The festival boasts a very family-friendly atmosphere, with a range of kid’s entertainment, alongside world-class piping and Highland dancing performances.

Visit Cowal Highland Gathering website for more information.

Lonach Highland Gathering and Games

In-person event on 27 August in Aberdeenshire.

Returning after two years, the Lonach Highland Gathering is set to be a fantastic celebration of Scottish culture. The event will mark the 179^th Games and the festival aims promote the traditions of local inhabitants and support local communities through the preservation of Highland culture.

Visit Lonach Highland Gathering and Games website for more information.

Ride the North

In-person event on 27 August in Moray.

Attracting cyclists of all abilities to the famous Speyside whisky region, Ride the North is a celebration of cycling, and it will include two routes of 100 miles and 57 miles for participants to choose from. Starting in Elgin, the race is a non-timed, non-competitive event that promises to be an enjoyable day out for cycling enthusiasts.

Visit Ride the North website for more information.