What’s on this May?

The Buzz is Back this May with an exciting month for eventgoers, as there is an action-packed programme of storytelling, sport, music, and cultural events to choose from. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Islay during Whisky Month or experience the thrilling sounds and speeds of the world’s top racers at Scotland’s most notable motorsport festivals.

EventScotland continues to work with event organisers to deliver an exciting and innovative portfolio of events across the country delivering an authentic experience for both visitors and that include local communities.

The events listed are supported through EventScotland’s National and International Event Programmes, Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, and UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, which are all helping to promote Scotland as the perfect stage for events.

Dandelion: Free for All (UNBOXED)

In-person event from May to July.

Dandelion will be giving away hundreds of thousands of seeds and plant plugs at Free for All events in towns and cities across Scotland, so that everyone can try their hand at growing. Check out where your nearest event will be and get growing this summer.

Visit the Dandelion website for more information.

MacTuff Kids

In-person event on 1 May in Dumfermline.

Enjoy an action-packed family day out at the MacTuff Kids and Sprint event in Knockhill Race Circuit, Dumfermline. This mini mud challenge will have a 3km obstacle course accommodating both younger and older participants.

Visit the MacTuff website for more information.

Tour Series Round 2 and Round 4

In-person event in Galashiels on 4 May and Stranraer on 12 May.

Now in its 13th year, this fun, free and family-friendly cycling event visits Scotland for two of the six rounds of this unique professional men’s and women’s team-based cycling race.

Visit Tour Series website for more information.

Festival Family Encounters (Year of Stories 2022)

In-person event on 7 May in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival opens on 7 May with Festival Family Encounters – a day of pop-up performances and arts activities for families. Set against the stunning backdrop of the National Museum of Scotland, the day will include a New Stories strand of innovative storytelling, created specially by emerging artists for the Year of Stories.

Visit our VisitScotland.com website for more information.

Stories from the Kist (Year of Stories 2022)

In-person event on 7 May in Edinburgh.

This special evening of storytelling in Scots and Doric, hosted by Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches, will feature Jess Smith, Tim Porteus and Jackie Ross, three of Scotland’s most gifted storytellers who will share stories relating to nature and place. The event will showcase some of their wonderful stories, as well as highlighting the importance of storytelling in Scottish communities.

Visit Scottish Storytelling Centre website for more information.

Rekindling the Ceilidh (Year of Stories 2022)

In-person event on 7 May in Midlothian.

Celebrate Beltane and the coming of summer at Rekindling the Ceilidh, a joyous day of seasonal storytelling, fire-making and nature connection activities at Three Hares Community Woodland in Midlothian on 7 May.

Visit Three Hares Woodland website for more information.

A Yarn Worth Spinning (Year of Stories 2022)

In-person event from 14 May to 12 June in Galashiels.

This multimedia exhibition will include a creative video essay which narrates the rich heritage of textiles in the Scottish Borders, garments from an innovative fashion show featuring designs by fresh talent from Heriot Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design in Galashiels, and winning clothing designs from a local school competition.

Visit our VisitScotland.com website for more information.

Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Show

In-person event on 14 May in Kilmacolm.

This fantastic agricultural day out returns for the 187th show to Kilmacolm. There is a range of entertainment including Clydesdale horses and dog competitions, horse jumping, bird of prey shows, and much more. Celebrating the local heritage and community through entertainment, food, and music, it is not to be missed.

Visit the Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Society Ltd website for more information.

Gordon Castle Highland Games and Country Fair

In-person event on 15 May in Fochabers.

Entering its 12th year, the Gordon Castle Highland Games and Country Fair will welcome thousands of visitors to the northeast for a fantastic day of events. Competitors travel far and wide to compete in traditional highland games, falconry, shooting, and more. The day is filled with sporting events, locally sourced food, and entertainment for all to enjoy.

Visit Gordon Castle website for more information.

Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival

In-person event from 20 May to 29 May.

The Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival promises to bring exciting live performances that will inspire and engage local rural communities across the region. Working with region wide organisations to bring tantalising performances and a fantastic festival programme, this event promises to be unforgettable.

Visit Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival website for more information.

Figures of Speech (Year of Stories 2022)

Hybrid event from 20 May to November 2022 in Edinburgh.

Prominent and emerging figures in Scotland’s cultural landscape respond to the country’s iconic stories, imagining them afresh through creative eyes. Explore the impact of these great stories through film, music, poetry, storytelling and more, with the creative responses sparking new dialogues and directions, celebrating Scotland’s literature.

Visit City of Literature website for more information.

BMX National Series 2022 Round 5 and Round 6

In-person event from 21 May to 22 May in Cumbernauld.

The best BMX riders in Britain will head to Broadwood Stadium for round 5 and 6 of the UK National BMX Series. With male and female age groups starting from under 7 years old and going up to 50+ years, this free-to-attend event is sure to be action packed.

Visit British Cycling website for more information.

Fife Agricultural Show

In-person event on 21 May.

Celebrate the landmark Fife Agricultural Show this May, as they look forward their 200^th anniversary event. The day will include a range of events that look to show off the best Scottish farming has to offer with horse, cattle, and sheep showings as well as a marquee of craft food and drink. As part of their anniversary celebrations, there will be a Time Tunnel to show how much the show has progressed in its 200 years.

Visit What’s On Fife website for more information.

Mercedes Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup

In-person event from 21 May to 22 May in Fort William.

Returning to the slopes of Anoach Mor for the first time since 2019, crowds are set for two days of exciting action on the second leg of the 2022 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup series.

Having been held in Fort William, the mecca of mountain biking in the UK, annually since 2002, this multi award-winning event is the second longest serving round on the World Cup calendar and is a firm favourite with fans and riders.

Visit UCI Mountain Bike World Cup website for more information.

Young Writers, Young Voices (Year of Stories 2022)

In-person event on 25 May in Edinburgh.

This event will showcase the amazing work produced by young people from Edinburgh, who worked with the Super Power Agency to help develop their writing and publish books of their work. There will be readings and short films, plus a special guest appearance from Ian Rankin who will share some of his work and talk about the importance of youth writing.

Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register your interest.

Orkney Folk Festival

In-person event from 26 May to 29 May.

Returning after three years, the Orkney Folk Festival looks forward to welcoming people back to Stromness for a weekend of fantastic music and entertainment. They have an exciting festival programme of acclaimed Scottish trad bands and musicians from around the world playing at this unique event.

Visit Orkney Folk Festival website for more information.

Fèis Ìle / The Islay Festival

In-person event from 27 May until 4 June.

This ten-day festival celebrates Islay, its culture, and the strong whisky heritage this Inner Hebridean island is renowned for. With folk nights, ceilidh dances, and no shortage of some of the finest whisky in the world, it guarantees to be an unmissable weekend.

Visit Fèis Ìle website for more information.

Fisherfolk Festival (Year of Stories 2022)

In-person event from 27 May to 29 May in Balintore.

Traditional Scottish singers and storytellers will tell tales in English, Scots and Gaelic, exploring the area’s rich Pictish and Viking heritage, as well as its fishing trade. A variety of concerts, workshops, ceilidhs, and minibus storytelling trips will take place in and around Balintore.

Visit our VisitScotland.com website for more information.

Mauchline Holy Fair

In-person event on 28 May.

Visit Robert Burns’ historic residence for the Mauchline Holy Fair. The festival promises a variety of craft, food, and charitable stalls for attendees to explore. There will be entertainment, children’s rides, and traditional fair activities, making it an enjoyable family-day out.

Visit Mauchline Holy Fair website for more information.

For information about all upcoming and ongoing events taking place across Scotland this year, make sure you visit our VisitScotland.com website.