Ten Things You Cannae Miss … Dec 4 – 10

By Katrina Patrick -

Our What’s On guide to the most vibrant, most unusual and most unmissable events on offer this weekend, and in the coming week . . .

Vegfest

Scotland’s first Vegfest kicks off this Saturday (5) in Glasgow’s SECC for a fun and colourful weekend of vegan cooking, sampling and entertainment. Over 130 stalls and 12 caterers will be on show alongside entertainment acts, and healthy-living talks. Tickets £5 when booked in advance or £8 on the door.

Piping On Tour

Fred Morrison, one of the greatest living pipers, is embarking on a Christmas tour this week. His first stop is Balintore on Thursday, Dec 3, before he heads to Orkney, Wick, Dornoch, Elgin, Ballater, Oban and Islay. Don’t miss this pipe master in action.

He’s Behind You!

The Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, presents the magical pantomime Aladdin, from Wednesday, December 9, until Sunday, December 27. Written by and starring River City‘s Joyce Falconer, the show features jaw-dropping special effects and dazzling costumes. Book here.

Santa Cruises

The Bridge Inn at Ratho is bringing back its magical Santa Cruises from December 5. There will be creative activities for the children and mulled wine for the adults before a festive cruise along the Union Canal to “wake up Santa”! Please book in advance.

Big Screen Music

On December 6, Stirling Orchestra will be performing some of the biggest cinematic musical scores at the Albert Hall, including the classic themes from E.T., Gladiator and Skyfall. Tickets available from the hall itself in advance and at the door.

Last Open Studios

The Scotland-wide WASPS open studios event has its finale this weekend at the Patriothall Studios in Edinburgh. See work by nearly 30 painters, makers, ceramicists, jewellers, and discover the history of the studios, which were saved by a public campaign.

House of Dun

Santa must be pretty busy this weekend – he’s at the House of Dun, too, from 11.30am – 3.30pm on Saturday and Sunday! Find his mischievous reindeer in the grounds then indulge in a bit of Christmas shopping in the beautiful 18th-century house.

Scots Trad Music Awards

The 13^th consecutive Scots Trad Music Awards (STMA) comes to Dundee’s Caird Hall for the first time on Saturday, December 5, for a glittering ceremony and live performances. For details of the line-up, live coverage and nominees, click here.

Tchaikovsky with RSNO

Here’s your chance to visit the new state-of-the-art home of the RSNO in Glasgow: performances of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, Don Juan and Suites from The Three-cornered Hat on December 3 and 4. In the middle of our Scottish winter, this is music to lie back and bask in.

Merry-Go-World

The world-famous Sharmanka kinetic theatre is on tour to Inverness Museum and Art Gallery until Dec 31. The dark, but magical world of Eduard Bersudsky is created out of old machinery, carved figures, music, light and shadow plays, and makes for intriguing viewing.