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.
Must-see entertainment in Scotland
Edinburgh
Formerly Edinburgh University's veterinary school, the Summerhall complex is a major cultural centre and entertainment venue, with old halls and lecture…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Glasgow
For concerts, a useful booking centre is Tickets Scotland, in the Argyle St tunnel. Its website is a good place to browse upcoming gigs; there's a printed…
Glasgow
This is a chic venue making terrific use of space and light. It showcases the visual and performing arts, including movies, talks and galleries. There's a…
Glasgow
In the heart of Merchant City, there are regular performances in this beautiful rectangular auditorium by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Scottish…
Glasgow
Also known as the Armadillo because of its bizarre shape, the Clyde adjoins the SEC Centre auditorium, and caters for big national and international acts.
Glasgow
In the bowels of Central station, this is an atmospheric venue for regular concerts by touring acts, particularly of the rock and metal varieties.
Aberdeen
The Belmont is a great little art-house cinema, with a lively program of cult classics, director's seasons, foreign films and mainstream movies.
Inverness
With live bands (rock, pop, tribute) and comedy shows two or three times a week, the Ironworks is the town’s main venue for big-name acts.
Edinburgh
The architecturally impressive Usher Hall hosts concerts by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) and performances of popular music.
Dumfries & Galloway
This modern theatre is a surprising find in such a small town and has a solid reputation for its shows and concerts.
Edinburgh
The King's is a traditional theatre with a program of musicals, drama, comedy and its famous Christmas pantomimes.
Glasgow
In central Merchant City, this former market, a spectacular vaulted space, has concerts, both classical and rock.
Edinburgh
A grand Victorian theatre located beside the Usher Hall, the Lyceum stages drama, concerts, musicals and ballet.
Edinburgh
Murrayfield Stadium, about 1.5 miles west of the city centre, is the venue for international rugby matches.
Glasgow
Proudly sporting an eye-catching modern facelift, Glasgow's oldest theatre is the home of Scottish Opera.
