Old Town
This unassuming pub has been a stalwart of the traditional-music scene since the 1960s (the founder's wife sang with the Corries). There's music every…
Must-see entertainment in Scotland
Glasgow
One of the city’s premier live-music pub venues, hosting bands every night of the week. A staple of the local scene, and a real Glasgow highlight.
Edinburgh
Formerly Edinburgh University's veterinary school, the Summerhall complex is a major cultural centre and entertainment venue, with old halls and lecture…
Mull
Mull's lively arts scene includes a famous theatre group, regular art exhibitions and concerts. This arts organisation puts on exhibitions, plays and…
Pitlochry
Founded in 1951 (in a tent!), this famous and much-loved theatre is the focus of Highland Perthshire's cultural life. The summer season, from May to mid…
Glasgow
This much-loved three-screener off Sauchiehall St shows art-house cinema and classics.
Glasgow
Occupying a former tram depot, this buzzy cultural centre has performance and exhibition spaces as well as a popular cafe. It's a real Southside community…
Old Town
A spectacular subterranean venue set in the ancient stone vaults beneath the South Bridge, the Caves stages a series of one-off club nights and live-music…
Edinburgh
The Filmhouse is the main venue for the annual Edinburgh International Film Festival and screens a full program of art-house, classic, foreign and second…
Dundee
Dundee's hippest venue is an arty, bohemian hang-out in a rundown former library that hosts some of Scotland's best indie club nights. Live gigs have…
New Town
The brainchild of rhythm-and-blues pianist and TV personality Jools Holland, the Jam House is set in a former BBC TV studio and offers a combination of…
Edinburgh
The three-screen, independently owned Cameo is a good old-fashioned cinema showing an imaginative mix of mainstream and art-house movies. There's a good…
Glasgow
South of the Clyde, this is one of the top theatres in Scotland. It's well worth trying to catch a performance here. A major redevelopment was about to…
Glasgow
With bands almost daily in the downstairs space, this comfortable local is a great destination. It would be anyway for its excellent atmosphere, highly…
Glasgow
A spectacular modern building to keep the adjacent 'Armadillo' company, the Hydro amphitheatre is a phenomenally popular venue for big-name concerts and…
Southern Scotland
Scotland's premier racecourse is a fun day out, with both flat and jump racing days and good facilities. The biggest event is the Scottish Grand National…
Old Town
A long-established music venue – it seems like every Edinburgh student for the last four decades spent half their youth here – Bannerman's straggles…
Glasgow
One of Glasgow's big two football clubs, Rangers play in blue and traditionally represent the Protestant, pro-Union side of the divide. They recently…
New Town
The raddled old queen of Edinburgh's 1990s gay scene has been given a shot in the arm, with two floors of deafening dance and disco every night. It can…
Old Town
This atmospheric cellar bar, with its polished parquet floors, bare stone walls, candlelit tables and stylish steel-framed chairs, is owned and operated…
New Town
Decadent decor of black leather, ornate plasterwork and gilt detailing creates a stylish setting for this complex of bars and performance spaces above the…
Old Town
This popular folk-music pub is tiny, so get here early (9pm start weekdays, 6pm and 9.30pm sessions on Saturday, 4.30pm and 7pm sessions on Sunday) if you…
Inverness
The Highlands’ main cultural venue – with theatre, art-house cinema and a conference centre – Eden Court stages a busy program of drama, dance, comedy,…
Glasgow
By the Barras market area, this repurposed church – stained glass and organ still in situ – is a fantastic spot hosting live music every weekend,…
Old Town
The Bedlam hosts a long-established (running for more than 25 years) weekly improvisation slot, the Improverts, which is hugely popular with local…
Inverness
Hootananny is the city’s best live-music venue, with traditional folk- and/or rock-music sessions nightly, including big-name bands from all over Scotland…
Aberdeen
This cavernous, subterranean club – the entrance is in a road tunnel beneath Union St – is a great live-music venue, with a packed program of up-and…
Glasgow
Playing in green and white hoops, Celtic are one of Glasgow's big two football clubs and traditionally represent the Catholic side of the divide. There…
Edinburgh
One of Edinburgh's most eclectic live-music venues, Henry's has something going on most nights of the week, from rock and indie to 'Balkan-inspired folk'…
Aberdeen
Upstairs at O'Neill's you're guaranteed a wild night of pounding, hardcore Irish rock, indie and alternative tunes Friday to Sunday; downstairs is a …
Glasgow
Tron Theatre, located in the James Adam–designed Tron Kirk, fronted by an elaborate bell tower, stages contemporary Scottish and international…
Aberdeen
A long-established stalwart of Aberdeen's alternative music scene, Drummond is a crowded, grungy student hang-out offering live gigs from up-and-coming…
Old Town
The big kirk on the Royal Mile plays host to a regular and varied program of classical music, including popular lunchtime and evening concerts and organ…
Glasgow
A down-at-heel but exceptional old dancehall above the Barras market catering for some of the larger acts that visit the city. It's one of Scotland's most…
Glasgow
Cosy basement venue with small independent bands as well as weekend DJs and regular comedy and theatre performances. At street level the pleasant cafe…
Glasgow
A feast of classical music is showcased at this concert hall, the modern home of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. There are also regular pop, folk…
Edinburgh
A beautifully restored art-deco theatre with a modern all-glass frontage, the Festival is the city's main venue for opera, dance and ballet, but also…
Old Town
This crowded cellar bar, just off the Royal Mile, has live music most nights till 3am, from rock and blues to folk and jazz. The long-standing open-mic…
Edinburgh
The Traverse is the main focus for new Scottish writing; it stages an adventurous program of contemporary drama and dance. The box office is only open on…
Aberdeen
Hosts an interesting program of dance, music and drama, and often has live rock, jazz and folk bands playing. There are also children's shows, ranging…
