February 2012
3 posts
Torridon Winter Walking Festival
Torridon Winter Walking Festival
Torridon is home to some of the grandest mountains Scotland has and when winter arrives the area is turned into a truly magnificent location and there is no better way to experience this wonder than in amongst the hills.
The first ever Torridon Winter Walking Festival will offers something for everyone, for those looking to scale the mighty peaks or the...
Celtic Songs and Story Telling at Beautiful Loch...
We have put together a charming weekend of Celtic story-telling and songs, focussing on the Ossian legend, with professional story tellers Essie Stewart and Claire Hewitt in the beautiful setting of Loch Ossian Youth Hostel, from 28 – 30 September 2012.
The legendary figure of Ossian was a bard – an inspirational poet, singer and artist, and this weekend is an opportunity to enjoy these stories...
Challenge Yourself to Maggie’s Monster Bike and...
Wondering what to do with your Bank Holiday weekend in 2012? Why not enter the Maggie’s Monster Bike and hike! Challenge yourself to an amazing outdoor adventure in the Scottish Highlands on 5 and 6 May. The Bike and Hike event is a 24 hour team challenge event, including cycling 30 miles and then hiking 8, 23 or 41 miles.
The route takes you past some splendid scenery and ideally located along...
January 2012
2 posts
‘Club Meet Club’ Weekend
Torridon Youth Hostel ‘Club Meet Club’ Weekend 3rd & 4th February 2012
SYHA Hostelling Scotland is delighted to invite all members of clubs affiliated to Mountaineering Council of Scotland to Torridon Youth Hostel for a special opening weekend. For this weekend only shared dormitory accommodation is available for just £10 per person per night.
Club members are invited to book...
Glen Nevis Attractions
Fort William and Lochaber are known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK in the Scottish Highlands. Our Lochaber Group Duty Manager (covering our Youth Hostels in Glen Nevis, Glencoe and Loch Ossian) has given us some hints and tips about what to get up to in the area, including some facts, must see or do’s and hidden gems that are well worth discovering.
Facts about the area
Glen Nevis is situated...
December 2011
6 posts
macrobert Panto and Christmas Show
Jackie and the Beanstalk
Will be showing at macrobert from Wednesday 23rd November 2011 - Saturday 7th January 2012 with prices from £7.00 - £16.50.
Critically acclaimed as one of the bets pantomimes in Scotland, and hilarious Christmas fun for young and old at the same time. Starring an all-star cast of Scotland’s finest acting and production talent and a terrific cast of young...
Loch Ness Hogmanay
Thousands of revellers enjoy this 6 day festival which includes daily guided walks, shinty and football matches, tea dances, a duck race, cookery demonstrations and much more. The main highlight of the festival is the open-air ceilidh on Hogmanay.
When: 28th December 2011 - 2nd January 2012
Where: Loch Ness
Nearest Hostel: Inverness
For more information please visit the website.
Scottish Snowsports Festival 2011
On Saturday 17th December the Scottish Snowsports Festival heads to Edinburgh.
Snowsports Scotland will transform Princes Street into the track for a Nordic Roller Ski Race and the iconic venue will also play host to a snow park with jumps and rails for the freestyle competition.
With DJs and winter sports exhibitor’s on site as well as having the Edinburgh Christmas Celebrations next...
Cairngorm Mountain this Winter
A whole host of winter activities and sightseeing are on offer this winter at Cairngorm Mountain, here are just a few ideas on how to spend the holidays:
Snow Sports - Take place between December and April, depending on snowfall for skiing and snowboarding particularly, open from 9am - 4pm depending on snowfall and daylight conditions.
Christmas Shop @ the Top - Visitors to the Shop @ the Top...
Edinburgh's Christmas
Celebrate Christmas in Edinburgh this year or take a day trip through to the winter wonderland at Princes Street Gardens to soak up the Christmas spirit.
With a wide variety of events on offer, why not go for a ride on the big wheel and take in the wonderful views of the city? There’s also the opportunity to get your skates on and practice your ice skating skills in between having a...
Glasgow Loves Christmas
Glasgow Loves Christmas is filled with over five weeks of festive fun and shopping in the heart of the city with something for everyone.
Highlights include Glasgow on Ice, Glasgow’s biggest and best outdoor ice rink which will be open for over five weeks, closing only on Christmas Day and Boxing Day due to popular demand. A Rock Choir performing Christmas Carols and Songs underneath the...
November 2011
13 posts
Inverness Attractions
Inverness is truly “the city in the Highlands”. It is a well-resourced small city and an ideal touring centre with good road, rail and air connections.
Inverness is one of Europe’s fastest growing cities, with a quarter of the Highland population living in or around the city. It is currently ranked fifth out of 189 British cities for its quality of life, the highest of any Scottish city.
One of...
Closure of A82 North of Corran Ferry
To ensure the safety of road users, the A82 south of Fort William will close for the weekend from 10pm on Friday 9th December - 6am on Monday 12th December. This will have a big impact on anyone planning on travelling up the North West that weekend.
The closure is required to carry out the controlled removal of a 200-250 tonne unsafe rock from the hillside above the road.
Information signage...
Christmas & Winter in Torridon
Christmas opening: Escape to the North West Highlands to celebrate Christmas amongst the mountains. Torridon Youth Hostel is open from 22nd to 26th December with both dormitory beds and private rooms still available. Book by phone 0845 2937373 or online at syha.org.uk.
Special Christmas prices of £49 per person for 3 nights or £75 per person for 5 nights are also available. Please email...
Festive Fun in Glasgow
Festive Fun in Glasgow
No city celebrates the run-up to Christmas like Glasgow. It has a full calendar of events to keep you entertained from the 26th November, right through to 2012.
St Andrews Day
On Saturday the 26th November, George Square will turn into a celebration of all things Scottish to honour St Andrews Day with Scottish food, drink and music. A St Andrews Day concert will take place...
Santa at Cairngorm
Find Santa & his elves at Cairngorm Mountain this Christmas 10, 11, 17, 18 & 24th December. Santa will be visiting CairnGorm on these dates, come along and see if you can find him. Visit the Christmas Shop @ the Top or the Ptarmigan Restaurant to see if he is there. He might even be driving the Funicular Railway instead of his sled!
Oban Winter Festival 19th - 27th November 2011 →
Oban Winter Festival 19th - 27th November 2011 - Nine days of Fantastic Family Fun! Skating, Shopping, Entertainment, Parades and Lights, Food & Drink, Spectacular Firework Display Over Oban Bay On Closing Night.
Shetland Food Festival
Shetland Food Festival is sure to serve up some delightful delicacies this year with local produce including lamb, beef, fresh fish, shellfish and specialities including seawater oatcakes and black potatoes.
Highlights will include:
- Producers’ market
- Cookery demonstrations by visiting and local chefs and the popular Ready, Steady, Shetland in the Food Theatre
- A Peerie Taste of...
White Tailed Eagle on the Isle of Arran
Already a home to Golden Eagle, The Isle of Arran now has a new bird of prey. Over the last 2 weeks there have been regular sightings of a rare White Tailed Eagle. The bird is a 2nd year juvenile and has been seen at Whiting Bay and in the far south of the island. It has wing tags which show it to be a bird released a few months ago in Fife as part of a reintroduction programme. Hopes are high...
The Enchanted Castle
The Enchanted Castle has returned for 2011 and is being extended to 5 nights rather than 3 in previous years. It will feature the same cutting edge light and sound technology and stunning choreographed effects, moods and backdrops which are a must for all family members and ages.
As well as the evening walk, a wide range of complementary, themed attractions including fire breathers, jugglers,...
Glagow's Whisky Festival
Glasgow Whisky Festival celebrates whisky from all over Scotland with an emphasis on distilleries and independant bottlers in and around the city of Glasgow as well as whisky from all over the world.
There will be more than 40 stands in two atmospheric, stone arches featuring Scotland’s best drams, plus further stands with whisky-related art, books and other items.
Exhibitors include Ardbeg,...
Edinburgh Art Fair
Edinburgh Art Fair is celebrating its seventh year in 2011 and has grown in stature to become one of the most respected and anticipated events of its type not only in Scotland or the UK but Internationally.
Atrracting galleries from all over the world including Ireland, Canada and the Czech Republic. Edinburgh Art Fair will also be showcasing the talents of a wide variety of new UK...
Inverness Film Festival
Inverness Film Festival will celebrate it’s 9th year showcasing a number of Scottish premieres including the opening screening - Terence Davies ‘The Deep Blue Sea’ and the closing screening - Steve McQueen’s new film ‘Shame’ starring the magnificent Michael Fassbender.
As well as Scottish premieres, you’ll also find two world premieres of ‘The...
Orkney Storytelling Festival
This year the festival has a focus on Orkney’s Viking past and is being organised by the Orcadian Trust, with well-known Tom Muir as the chairman.
Stories included throughout the weekend include Wartime Tales, Mermaids and Miracles, Viking Tales and Creepy Tour: Toon Tales from The Dark Side.
For a full programme of events please click here.
When: 27th - 30th October 2011
Where: A number...
September 2011
11 posts
The Highland Archaeology Festival
The Highland Archaeology Festival 2011 will take place from Saturday 1st - Sunday 16th October. The event is organised by the Highland Council Historic Environment Team, and celebrates the rich heritage and archaeology of the Highlands. Over 100 events, may of which are free of charge are taking place across the Highland Council Area. The aim is to enable communities to participate and...
Paddle 2011 - Scotland's Canoe & Kayak Show
Date: Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October 2011
Nearest Hostel: Pitlochry
For more informarion please visit the website.
Blazin' in Beauly
Blazin’ in Beauly was started by the band Blazin’ Fiddles in the village of Beauly which is 15 miles west of Inverness. The intention of the week is to immerse people in the music of the Highlands and Islands
Blazin’ in Beauly are delighted to announce that this years guest fiddle tutors are Fidil, an Irish trio from Derry.
Date: Monday 17th - Friday 21st October 2011
Nearest...
Ullapool Guitar Festival
The Ullapool Guitar Festival takes place on 7th, 8th and 9th October this year. Artists performing over the weekend include Hamish Stuart, Raniolo, Adam Palma, Ben Powell and many more.
A three day festival of shows and workshops in various venues around the Scottish town of Ullapool, embracing all things guitar, with evening concerts, late night performances and workshops to improve your...
Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival
Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival is an independant film festival which aims to inpsire, enlighten and entertain outdoor enthusiasts, whether they are climbers, kayakers, base jumpers, skiers, snowboarders or explorers.
The festival was established in 2003 and is now an annual event being held every October in Edinburgh. Over 2,000 people attend the Festival every year which makes it one of the...
Torridon Autumn Walking Festival
The Torridon mountains offer some of the best walking in Scotland. The Torridon walking festival will offer everyone an opportunity to explore this amazing part of Scotland with walks for beginners to experienced walkers. Whether you want to walk with a ranger in one of the local forests or scale the mighty Liathach, you can use the festival to explore new summits and explore this unique area.
...
Mountain Aid Safety Day - Albert Halls Stirling
SYHA Hostelling Scotland will be one of the organisations supporting the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and charity Mountain Aid’s Mountain Safety Day on Saturday 8th October. The events start at 10am and will be officially opened by prominent outdoor writer Cameron McNeish. Find out about SYHA Hostelling Scotlands mountain skills courses and much much more. For more information please...
Torridon Tai Chi - last few places available
In partnership with Highland Tai Chi, this course introduces you to the ancient practice of Tai Chi. In the spectacular Scottish Highland west coast setting of Torridon, relax, learn and make new friends in our comfortable purpose built hostel.
Sunday 9 October - Friday 14 October 2011 £269
Limited availability - book quickly
23-25 September 2011: The Orkney Blues Festival -...
The 6th, and biggest yet, Orkney Blues Festival is bound to kick off in just over two weeks’ time! This is another great opportunity to take in the laidback Orkney atmosphere, as well as the energetic Blues from national artists like Rhythm Zoo, The Paddy Maguire Band and ‘Blues Prodigy’ Chantel McGregor. Local acts include The Fastliners, Blue Mother and The Vagabonds.
The Festival is FREE...
21st Orkney Science Festival about to kick off!
This is yet another great opportunity to dig deep into the treasures and pleasures the Orkney Isles have to offer!
The 21st Orkney Science Festival begins on 1 September 2011. It offers fresh insights by world-class speakers into Orkney’s rich environment, history and dark skies, but also radical new approaches to the challenges of the future!
The sheer variety of its programme makes the...
August 2011
3 posts
Loopallu Festival 2011
A small intimate festival with a line-up of well known festival favourites including The Feeling, Jon Fratelli, The Bluebells and Kassidy.
For more information and ticket sales please visit the website.
Date: Friday 16th and Saturday 17th September.
Nearest Hostel: Ullapool Youth Hostel.
Orkney International Science Festival
The Orkney International Science Festival has a varied programme of events on over the week which include insights into all kinds of fascinating subjects including astronomy, ancient and modern history from stone circles to black holes, the latest developments in renewable energy including wave and tide, the frontiers of quantum theory as well as bus tours, concerts and ceilidhs and links to art,...
July 2011
15 posts
Inverness Tattoo
The Inverness Tattoo is one of the top tourist attractions in the Inverness Summer Festival. The tattoo will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2011 and is sure to draw in the crowds with its exciting line-up.
This years attractions include a thrilling display by Stannage International Stunt Team, colourful and spirited displays of Highland and Country Dancing as well as traditional music...
Perth Show
Perth Show will take place on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th August this year on The South Inch, Perth. Perth Show is 148 years old and has been running for well over 100 years in the city of Perth drawing in crowds of around 20,000 people over the course of the two days.
Friday will see exhibitors from all over Scotland and the north of England compete in the Light-Legged Horse day. Saturday is...
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
It’s the biggest arts festival in the world which takes place every August for three weeks in Scotland’s capital city. With something for everyone: theatre, comedy, music, dance, exhibitions and much, much more. In fact, it’s the number-one tourist attraction in the whole of Britain.
The Fringe caters for the biggest names in showbiz to the performers in the street and covers...
Birnam Highland Games
The Birnam Highland Games are traditional Scottish Highland Games which have been held annually amidst stunning Perthshire scenery since 1864.
Events for 2011 include performances by The Blairgowire and Rattray Pipe Band, heavy events including tossing the caber, highland dancing, field and track events and a fun fair.
For the more adventurous Birnam hosts a number of unique events including...
World Pipe Band Championships
The biggest and best event in piping is back! Once again, pipe bands from across the globe will descend onto Glasgow Green with one goal - to be the World Pipe Band Champions 2011!
The day will feature competitions across all grades, the in fiercely contested Drum Major contest, Highland Dancing and Glasgow World Highland Games Championships.
Welcoming bands from as far afield as Australia,...
Ballater Highland Games
The Ballater Highland Games are held annually on the second Thursday in August in Monaltrie Park, Ballater and in 2011 the Games will be held on Thursday 11th August.
There have been Games held in Ballater for 137 years, with the first of these in 1864 and apart from the war years have continued uninterrupted until the present day.
Many famous athletes and champions have competed at Ballater and...
Edinburgh Book Festival
An inspiring literary festival, the world’s largest public celebration of the written word, right in the heart of Edinburgh: hundreds of author events, debates and workshops packed into 17 extraordinary days.
The Edinburgh Book Festival started in 1987 and has established itself as a key event during the August festival season. Small events, large events, events for adults, babies,...
Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2011
Edinburgh Military Tattoo will again be a fantastic and exciting event which runs from 5th - 27th August this year. Its three-week season on the floodlit Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle provides a military precision extravaganza for all lucky enough to attend!
Including performers from four continents and participants from as far afield as South America and South Africa, the tattoo is sure to...
Belladrum Festival Tartan Heart 2011
Belladrum 2011 takes place in the beautiful Highland surroundings of Belladrum Estate, near Beauly in Inverness-shire. The independent festival has built a reputation for its eclectic line-ups, its off-beat non-musical entertainments and its all-ages approach. The festival won a VisitScotland Thistle Award in 2009.
This year’s line up includes Deacon Blue, Texas, Ed Sheeran, Newton...
Glasgow Show 2011
This year’s event will take place on Glasgow Green on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July. An action packed weekend of activities awaits….
With entertainment from The Black Knights Parachute Display Team, The Rockin Horse Stunt Show, music from Jedward on Saturday and Jai McDowall on Sunday, street theatre, children’s activities including a fairground and inflatable village,...
Rewind: The 80's Music Festival
Rewind: The 80’s Music Festival has a huge outdoor line-up of 80’s recording artists, performers and musicians. The festival will take place at Scone Palace from Friday 29th - Sunday 31st July 2011. This year’s line up includes Rick Astley, Tony Hadley, The Human League, Cutting Crew, Billy Ocean and Bananarama to name a few.
As well as enjoying the music, the crowds can...
The Tall Ships are coming!
Throughout July 2011, Kirkwall celebrates 200 years of being the main port-of-entry for Orkney. One of the highlights will without doubt be the visiting Tall Ships from the 2011 Tall Ships Race!
These celebrations kick off on Friday 15 July, with the first tall ships expected to arrive in Kirkwall on the eve. From then on it’s a packed programme of activities. These include a sailing...