1. Piping Live!
Various venues, Glasgow, until August 13

This week-long piping event makes Glasgow centre stage for the best in piping. Now in its 14th year, Piping Live!will see more than 40,000 music fans, families and tourists flock to the city from across the globe to enjoy 200 events and 8,000 performers throughout the week. Highlights this weekend include Pipe Idol and the Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies Memorial Recital Challenge (today, Royal Concert Hall) and The Peatbog Faeries and Jose Manuel Tejedor (tomorrow, Drygate) playing contemporary traditional music from the west coast of Scotland and Asturias, Spain.

Events are a mixture of both free and ticketed. See pipinglive.co.uk for more information.

2. Adam
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, until August 27

Part of Edinburgh Fringe, Adam is the remarkable, true story of a young trans man forced to make a choice between being himself in his own home country, risking death, or imposing exile on himself to survive as his only choice. Charting his breathtaking journey, from Egypt to Scotland, the show follows Adam’s fight across borders and genders in his search to find a place to finally call home. In a world first, Adam features a 120-strong, international world choir of trans individuals from across the globe.

Tickets cost between £9.50 and £21.50. Book at tickets.edfringe.com. Suitable for those aged over 14. The show then moves on to Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling on September 5 and 6, and the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow from September 13 to 16.

3. Abernethy Highland Games
Games Field, Nethy Bridge, Saturday

Known as the “Friendly Games,” the action kicks off with the childrens’ races and Highland dancing at 10am, the Massed Pipes and Drums in the Grande Parade at 10.30am, then the Introduction of the Chieftain at 1pm.

Tickets are £8 for adults, £4 for children with a family pass costing £20. Arrive in style on board the Strathspey Steam Railway from Aviemore to Broomhill. Train ticket price includes entry to the event. Head to nethybridge.com to learn more.

4. The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, until Saturday

The Olivier and Tony Award-winning production heads north after a smash-hit run in the West End, telling the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone, who finds his neighbour’s dog dead late after midnight. Under suspicion, he records each fact in a book as he works quickly to solve the mystery. With an extraordinary brain, Chris is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. In this case, though, his secret detective work takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

Tickets cost between £24 and £35. The show then moves on to King’s Theatre in Glasgow from August 14 to 19.

5. Carnival Fifty Six
Camperdown Park, Dundee, Saturday and Sunday

Scotland’s newest music festival is bringing five music areas that will be home to some of the biggest names in music, big-names DJs and some of the country’s best homegrown talent. Keeping festivities as local as possible, there will also be the best of Scottish food and drink available. Also celebrating comedy and culture, British band The Charlatans will be headlining with an unmissable set. Also in the line-up are Mark Ronson, Rudimental, Clean Bandit, Basement Jaxx, and The Fratellis. With more than 100 artists across seven stages, the weekend is open to those aged 12 and over.

A standard day ticket is £59.15 with booking fee. Other types are available. Book at carnivalfiftysix.co.uk.

6. Canal Theatre: The Resurrection
The Falkirk Tunnel, tomorrow to Sunday

Step back in time and experience a world of body-snatchers, love, murder and deceit as history buffs are taken on a time travel adventure through the Falkirk Tunnel to explore the haunted tale of murderers William Burke and William Hare. The dark tour comes with a warning though: with expert guides leading the way – including Mrs Hare herself – the wife will reveal the troubling tales of her husband’s past while attendees work out how they can avoid being the next victim on the list. Lasts around 45 minutes.

Tickets cost £13.50. Book at scottishcanals.co.uk.

7. The Art And Science Of Gin
99 Hanover Street, Edinburgh, until August 27

Also part of the Fringe, distillery Edinburgh Gin is offering an insight into the world of the spirit, exploring the illustrious history and modern resurgence of the drink in a new way. The story spans three centuries in which, through the use of projection mapping technology, this one-of-a-kind show will immerse guests in the art and science of gin making, exciting the senses with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the gin-making process.

Tickets cost £20 and include G&T on arrival, a tasting session and signature serve. Strictly over-18s.

8. Beer Festival
Hamilton Rugby Club, Saturday

Enjoy a wide selection of craft beers and ales from local and national micro-breweries. There will also be plenty of music provided by the venue’s resident DJ and live sport provided by the club. As well as beer and ale, cider, wine, prosecco and gin will be on offer.

Early-bird tickets cost £6. Under-18s go free, but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Head to hamiltonrugbyclub.co.uk to book.

9. Rab Noakes
New Town Theatre, Edinburgh, today

The legendary Scottish singer-songwriter relives his rich career spanning 50 years and 20 albums. The seasoned musician is well-known for his songs that reflect his lifelong interest in all things popular and folk.

Noakes moves on to the Fraser Centre in Milngavie on Saturday and the Festival Theatre in Pitlochry on Sunday. Ticket prices vary. See rabnoakes.com/tour-dates to book.

10. Blowing Their Own Horns
Dundee Centre For Contemporary Arts, today

An evening of multi-disciplinary presentations designed to throw new light on the works by inviting other artistic voices to respond to each show. Red Note Ensemble brings to life some of the curious instruments from St Cecilia’s Hall, home of the University of Edinburgh’s instrument museums.

Event is free, but book in advance at dca.org.uk/whats-on.

DON'T MISS...

The BIG Stampede
Various venues, Hamilton, until September 3

A free trail has been put together to bring businesses, artists 
and schools together to create a spectacular artistic trail through the streets, parks and open spaces of Hamilton to find animal sculptures. At the end of their busy summer, the animals will take part in an auction to raise money for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. The event is from 3-7pm each day and is free. 

Visit the bigstampede.co.uk to find out more.