Cultural Festivals In Scotland

A spectacular show of military bands, dancing and piping performances, set against the unforgettable backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

More than 14 million people have attended the Tattoo, with an annual audience of around 220,000.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo runs from the 3rd to the 25th of August.

Hosted in Scotland for the last 30 years, the 70th anniversary World Pipe Band Championships take place from the 17th-18th August at Glasgow Green.

The bands are placed in 9 different competition grades according to ability and results.

8000 pipers from around the world will be competing for the prestigious title, A pipe band from Inveray are the current champions.

As many as 40% of the pipers and drummers taking part each year are 25 and under.

From May to September you can get in on the action at one of over 80 Highland games taking place on islands and in towns, villages and cities across the country.
You can find your nearest Highland Games here.

Heavy contests like the hammer throw test brute strength, while field events such as the hill race test speed and stamina.

Pipers show off their musical skill in the solo and band competitions, and dancers attempt flawless performances of famous dances like the Highland fling.

Young Scot cardholders can get £1 off entry to the National Piping Centre.

Largs Viking Festival commemorates the 1263 Battle of Largs, the last mainland battle between the Scots and Norse, this year it will run from the 1st-9th September 2018.

Meet Vikings and talk to them about their way of life. Learn about how they made their clothes, weapons, jewellery and food. Ask the Vikings about their religion, beliefs, homes, crafts, ships, their homeland and why they left it.

The festival ends on the 9th of September with a Viking Festival of Fire with a torchlit procession, Viking skirmish, the burning of a symbolic Viking Longship and a firework display on the last Saturday.

The Mòd is the main festival of Scottish Gaelic literature, song, arts and culture and runs throughout October each year.
This years festival will be held from the 12th to 20th of October in Dunoon.