Summer Activities

Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh - Until August 26

Brand new for this summer, families can have a go at “design-o-saur” and make their own virtual dinosaur and see it brought to life. Enter the “snap zone” to have your photo taken with your prehistoric creation. Take part in “Operation Earth,” an interactive family programme exploring NERC’s world-leading environmental science - through an exciting family science show and drop-in activities.

Get hands-on with science with interactive family drop-in activities. Intrepid explorers can investigate the microscopic world, pilot a drone using simulator software, sample wildlife in our indoor meadow and much more.

There’s also a family science show. Visit dynamicearth.co.uk for more details.

Summer of Engineering

Aberdeen Science Centre - Until August 31

Join the team this summer as they take an exciting journey through the different disciplines of engineering. Throughout the month, staff will have a variety of workshops, shows and hands-on problem solving activities for all the family. There will also be special one-off events throughout the summer to bring the world of engineering to life.

Normal entry fees apply. Head to aberdeensciencecentre.org.

Summer Streets Festival

City Square, Dundee - Saturday and Sunday

This “riot of fun” in the streets of Dundee will see a jam-packed programme, including a spectacular show, from All or Nothing aerial dance company, free come-and-try aerial workshops, crazy golf from Drumoig Golf Centre, a beautiful children’s play bunker, wandering street performers, local talent playing music on the streets, pubs and cafes with The Sound of Dundee and lots of food and drink with a farmer’s market on Saturday and local street food traders on Saturday evening and Sunday. For details and timings view the full programme.

All events are free. See the programme at dundee.com/dundee-summer-streets-festival.

MCN Scottish Festival

Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh - Saturday and Sunday

This new, exciting, outdoor, two-day event will bring together the best of biking plus a whole host of live entertainment and tribute bands to rock you through the weekend.  Backed by the world’s biggest weekly motorcycle publication, the MCN Scottish Festival invites motorcycle enthusiasts to hear some of motorcycling’s historic race bikes as they are fired up and brought to life, bag a bargain in the retail zone or camp for the weekend and make the most of tribute bands and party.

Tickets start from £15.98, with fees. Head to mcnscottishfestival.co.uk for  more detail.

Jazz and Blues Festival

Various venues, Edinburgh - Until Sunday

The popular annual event is in a festive mood as it celebrates 40 years. The programme features a panoply of promising newcomers, music legends who have marked the festival’s history, as well has a host of famous names making their Edinburgh debut. Memorabilia and rare historical artefacts from the last 40 years of the festival will be on display at the The Music Library, with additional items displayed at Teviot Row.

Visit edinburghjazzfestival.com to see the complete brochure and event listings.

Oh, I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside

North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre, Motherwell - Ongoing

The nostalgia of a traditional weekend by the sea is celebrated in North Lanarkshire this summer, with holiday snaps, costumes and holiday souvenirs in their latest exhibition, featuring a remarkable collection of early 20th century glass lantern slides. The holiday snaps, from Shropshire Museums, give a rare glimpse into the lives of holidaymakers some 100 years ago.

Visitors can also take part in family activities as part of the free exhibition, including Punch and Judy, a hoopla and coconut shy. Free to attend.

Crail Festival

Various venues, Crail - Until July 28

The festival continues to offer a range of daytime events for children, some old favourites and some with a new twist. The adult programme has international flavour with a tribute to New York born Simon and Garfunkel and opera from a Polish guest artist. The eclectic musical mix includes blues, jazz and folk. Poetry features as well as an evocative musical drama is not to be missed.A putting green, art exhibition, street market and festival quiz occupy their usual spots.

For ticket and programme information, head to crailfestival.com.

BrickLive

SEC Centre, Glasgow - Until Sunday

Organisers are bringing back some of last year’s favourites including Minecraft, Star Wars, DUPLO® Fairy Bricks Mosaic, Brick Pits, a gaming area and also race ramps. New for 2018 is the LEGO® built Safari with over 80 animals which are made up of nearly one million bricks and Warrior Bots, a hands-on and fast-paced robot battle. Alongside all this, head into the retail zone and pick up the latest sets or go vintage and get a rare collectable. End the day in the Fan Zone where fans of the colourful bricks can feast their eyes on some amazing creations from master builders.

Ticket prices vary. Visit bricklive.co.uk to buy.

Visaurihelix

The Lighthouse, Glasgow - Ongoing

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s birth, sound and audiovisual artist Louise Harris takes inspiration from geometric forms found in his architecture to transform the tower of the Glasgow venue. Ascend through an interactive sound installation, which sees copper rods stretch across the staircase. Beat and bow your accompaniment to a new electronic composition, which is enhanced by visuals emanating from the base. Taking music-making to new heights, this artwork is described as “a soaring celebration of the great man who gave us ‘The Glasgow Style’.”

Free and non-ticketed. Suitable for all ages.

Arthur Cormack & Friends

Aros Centre, Isle of Skye - Today

Award-winning local Sgiatheanach Gaelic singer Arthur Cormack (Mac-talla, Cliar) will appear with Ingrid Henderson, Eilidh Cormack and Iain MacFarlane, performing a mixture of older songs and some tracks from his latest solo album Buanas. With support from local emerging artists The Northenders. Tickets are £14 from aroscommunitytheatre.co.uk. The show then moves onto An Lanntair Arts Centre, on the Isle of Lewis, on Saturday.

Rewind Scotland

Scone Palace, Perth - Tomorrow to Sunday

Taking place in the spectacular grounds of Scone Palace, next to the beautiful River Tay, Organisers say Rewind Scotland is “a site to behold.” Expect a weekend of iconic performance from musical legends, themed venues, pop-up performers and an unrivalled festival atmosphere. The line-up includes Status Quo, Midge Ure, Bonnie Tyler, Martha Wash, Kim Appleby, Howard Jones and many more. Experience boutique camping, a family fun day, plenty of food and drink and a “chill out” area with yoga and aerobics.

Visit scotland.rewindfestival.com for tickets.