1 Tough Mudder
Dalkeith Country Park, Saturday and Sunday
Billed as "probably the toughest event on the planet", Tough Mudder is a special forces-designed obstacle course that supplies a liability waiver as part of the entry pack. As well as completing a grueling 11-mile cross-country run, participants have to survive a series of unpleasant sounding trials involving ice baths, fire pits, electric shocks, and a lot of mud. Online registration is now closed, but places are still available on either day for £130. Spectators are welcome, and there's an after party for the survivors at Sportsters in Edinburgh from 7pm.
2 Marie Curie Walk Ten Glasgow
Pollok Country Park, Glasgow, Saturday
Next weekend, Dalkeith Country Park hosts the much more sedately paced Marie Curie Walk Ten event. Glasgow's Pollok Park provides an appropriately bucolic backdrop for the west coast equivalent on Saturday. Basically a huge, twilit 10K walk to raise funds for local Marie Curie Nurses, participants are promised a festival-like atmosphere on a course winding gently through the park's extensive woodlands. Online registration is still available at £10.
3 Collectormania Glasgow
Braehead Arena, Saturday and Sunday
For those elsewhere who find the idea of diving about in electrified puddles a bit frivolous, there are weightier matters on the agenda at the Braehead Arena: namely the chance to meet Freddy Krueger, otherwise known as mild-mannered slasher flick legend Robert Englund. Among other genre stars appearing at Collectormania, a two-day fantasy, sci-fi, and horror fan-fest are David Warner (Tron, Twin Peaks), Lance Henriksen (Aliens), and David Prowse (Darth Vader from the original Star Wars films).
4 Great Scottish Swim
Balloch, Saturday
Now in its fifth year, Scotland's biggest open water swimming event takes place at Loch Lomond for the first time. Around 2000 participants of all levels of ability are expected at Saturday's event including Edinburgh-based swim marathon star Kerri-Ann Payne, and former 400m sprinter Iwan Thomas. The Loch Lomond Shores complex is also holding a Continental Market from today until Sunday.
5 The Bruce Festival 2013
Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline, Saturday and Sunday
Scotland's ancient capital gets a medieval makeover this weekend, with a 14th century-themed festival of history in Pittencrief Park. Entertainment includes an equestrian show, arts and crafts, battle re-enactments, music and story-telling workshops. There's also a funfair, and visitors can browse food stalls and sample a range of real ales in the beer tent. Entry is free, and there's also a family friendly historical treasure hunt weaving through Dunfermline town centre.
6 Blair Castle Barclays International Horse Trials
Atholl Estates, Blair Atholl, until Sunday
One of the UK's leading equestrian events, and arguably the biggest sporting event on in Scotland this weekend, Blair Castle Horse Trials is celebrating its 25th anniversary with four days of international dressage, cross country, and show jumping with top riders such as Lucy Wiegersma and Scotland's Emily Galbraith. Running alongside is Bruadar County Fair - along with a host of animal displays and entertainment, there's an extensive shopping village with more than 200 stands selling the usual mix of tasty local produce, arts and crafts, and beverages. The Box Office is now closed, but tickets are still available on the gate priced £14-£18.
7 Kirkintilloch Canal Festival 2013
Forth & Clyde Canal, Kirkintilloch, until Sunday
The East Dunbartonshire town eight miles north of Glasgow welcomes around 15,000 visitors every year to its celebration of Scotland's waterways - now expanded to seven days. Story Week, a series of themed historical and cultural events has been underway since Monday, while Saturday offers numerous opportunities to get involved in outdoor activities. Saturday evening sees a spectacular firework display, before Sunday's Gala Day, which has live music, water sports, and boat trips among the attractions.
8 International Bat Night
Saturday and Sunday
Mysterious, endangered and often misunderstood, bats play an important role in Scotland's ecosystem. Running until next weekend, this annual series of events is organised by the Bat Conservation Trust and offers the chance to find out more about bats in their natural habitat. The programme includes guided walks, talks, and craft sessions from bat groups, park rangers and community groups at venues including Glasgow's Victoria Park, Lodge Forest near Aberfoyle, and Linlithgow Palace.
9 Dance Show Live and The Street Dance World Championships
SECC, Glasgow, Friday-Sunday
Glasgow is hosting three street dance events between Friday and Sunday. The Street Dance World Championships features 6000 of the best dance crews from around the world, competing in front of a panel of international judges for a prize fund of £20,000; pretty big. The Scottish National Schools Championship also takes place on Friday. Spectator passes are priced from £30 per day, but these also get you into Dance Show Live (normally £12.50). Pitched at fans, families and younger dancers rather than competitors, it's apparently the biggest event of its type ever to be held in Scotland. Along with taster sessions and classes with industry professionals, there are workshops and appearances from members of Britain's Got Talent-winning troupe Diversity, and Got to Dance Got To Dance's Lukas McFarlane.
10 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Edinburgh Castle, until Saturday
The International Festival runs for another week, and the Fringe and Book Festivals end on Monday. The Tattoo, one of the most singular happenings in Scotland's cultural calendar, wraps up on Saturday. Strange to say, but for all the attendant pageantry, international attention, and 200,000-plus tickets sold every year, it's one Festival event that's often overlooked in this country. If you're interested but didn't organise tickets before they sold out six months ago, enjoy the extended last night firework display, then pencil in December 2, when tickets go on sale for next year.
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