Upcoming Events in Scotland
Scotland is rife with events you do not want to miss out on! There are more than 200 events happening throughout the year, including arts festivals, sports events, exhibitions and so much more. While you might be thinking it is way too late in the year to take part in all of this, we’re here to prove you wrong! Check out some of the best events that are coming up this year!
Highland Games
The Highland games are a unique mix of sports, arts and culture, attracting locals and foreigners alike. They are celebrated in Scotland – and all over the world. These must-see events began in May and will end in September, giving you plenty of time to join in on the fun! It is said that they originated in Ireland in 2000 BC and migrated to Scotland in the fourth and fifth centuries with the migrations of the Scottish.
These games are about music and dancing just as much as they are about sports. They take place from Cowal to Tomintoul and points in between. Interestingly enough, they also migrated to the USA in 1836 with the first event held in New York. Now, there are more than 200 Scottish Games events happening in Scotland, the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Tabletop Scotland
This gaming event is one you do not want to miss! It is a two-day convention in Perth to celebrate board games, card games, and roleplaying games. This one is for the gamers; it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced player. The goal here is for everyone with similar interests to enjoy themselves and meet new people! If you love casino games, such as blackjack and roulette, this is your chance to have some fun! Who knows? You just might discover the best casino online!
2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
Glasgow and Scotland are hosting the first-ever UCI Cycling World Championships and you do not want to miss it! More than 2600 athletes will be competing in 13 different UCI World Championships. The goal is to win over 200 rainbow jerseys. Get ready to see the world’s greatest riders in action!
In Scotland, the competition will be taking place in Fort William, Edinburgh, Loch Lomond, and Glentress Forest. It will run from August 3 to 13. This could be an amazing opportunity for spectators to discover the stunning Scottish countryside, mountain bike at Fort William, and explore the mesmerizing Loch Lomond!
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
This event has been running for more than 40 years, providing a platform for the best Jazz and Blues artists to flaunt their talent! The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival runs for 10 days with more than 130 performances. More than 70,000 people attend this event every year and you can be one of them! Get ready as this event will happen from 14 to 23 July 2023! In their own words, “From Arild Andersen to Zoe Rahman, we are delighted to present over 110 concerts featuring top Scottish bands, international stars and festival favourites alongside new names. There really is something for everyone in the EJBF23 programme.”
This summer festival originated with Edinburgh guitarist and banjo player Mike Hart. He launched the first-ever event in 1978. It was originally reserved for jazz performances. However, the more popular it became, the more music styles, like blues, were introduced.
International Book Festival
Edinburgh is the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature. So, it is fitting that it is home to the International Book Festival! This city also has links to some of the best authors who ever lived: Muriel Spark, Irvine Welsh, Robert Burns, Alexander McCall Smith and so many more! This festival is three weeks of unadulterated fun for all book lovers! International writers, poets and musicians engage audiences in performances, talks, readings, writing workshops and a lot more!
This year, the Edinburgh International Book Festival will be held from August 12 to 28.