Ten Things To Do This Week: 22/9/14 – 28/9/14

By Contributor -

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running

1. Dig Deep!
Free! Until September 30, archaeological sites from Caithness to Argyll are participating in the Highland Archaeology Festival. Festival-goers can choose from hundreds of free events, from taking part in excavations, walks, talks and tours to ancient skill learning, bus tours and re-enactments.

2. Check Out The Ryder Cup!
September 23 is Tartan Tuesday, the opening day of the Ryder Cup, when the world’s top golfers will be practicing with their team mates at Gleneagles. To mark the occasion, spectators are being asked to wear a piece of – so dig out your tartan trews, mini kilts and woollen scarves!

3. Indulge Your Creativity
From September 24 – 28, the Moray Firth is the setting for first Findhorn Bay Arts Festival. With a range of events taking place in and around the coastal villages of Findhorn and Kinloss, the historic market town of Forres and at the magnificent Brodie Castle, this festival features music, drama, dance and comedy and a celebration of Macbeth – the man and the myth. Various prices.

4. Be House Proud!
Discover the very latest in homes, interiors and gardens at the Scottish Home Show 2014, which takes place from 26-28 September at Aberdeen AECC. Lorraine Kelly opens the show on Friday and there will also be appearances by celebrity home makeover experts Linda Barker and Tommy Walsh. Tickets £10, £7.50 concessions, under-15s free.

5. Hit The Right Notes
Twin Atlantic, UTAH Saints, The Undertones… Certain members of the Scots Mag team are already planning how to take Friday off and head across to the Loopallu Music Festival in Ullapool on September 26/27!

6. Have A Dram
The Speyside Autumn Whisky Festival (September 26-29) offers rare opportunities for whisky enthusiasts to tour distilleries which normally keep their mashing, milling, distillation and maturation processes top secret. There will also be dancing, music, exhibitions and food and craft fairs. Various prices.

7. Read On
As part of Homecoming, take the low road to Scotland’s National Book Town for Wigtown Book Festival 2014, which is from September 26 – October 5. Various prices.

8. Get Your Skates On!
Treat the younger members of your family while also reliving your childhood at Disney On Ice at the Braehead Arena, Glasgow from September 26 – October 5. To mark 100 years of Disney, Mickey, Minnie, Pinocchio and more Princesses than you could shake a Wicked Witch’s wand at will be skating across the ice in a spectacular show. Tickets from £17.25.

9. Run!
Look out your running shoes on 27/28 Sepember, when Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running features an exciting programme of activity alongside the popular Loch Ness Marathon, 10K, 5K and Wee Nessie races, including the Run Home Clan Challenges and a Run Home Whisky Festival and, for those who prefer a more relaxing weekend, Baxters Food & Drink Fayre. Various prices.

10. Skim It To Win It!
Show off your stone skimming skills at Easdale Island in the Hebrides on September 28. Over 350 competitors are expected to line the beach and compete in the World Stone Skimming Championships – perhaps not the best day to go canoeing around this beautiful island! Entrance fees £5, concessions available.