1 Rock of Ages
Dumbarton Castle, Sat-Sun
Once the spectacular seat of the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde, Dumbarton Castle has seen a fair amount of action in the intervening centuries. This new event promises to bring this colourful past to life with two afternoons of performances featuring around 100 costumed re-enactors depicting key moments and characters from Scottish history including Vikings and Covenanters, plus figures from the middle ages, the Renaissance and the Second World War. On from noon to 4pm both days, tickets are £5-£9. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events
2 Glasgow Mela
Kelvingrove Park, Sun
Glasgow's biggest free multicultural festival returns to the city's West End to celebrate its 25th anniversary with another day of colourful performances, family activities, stalls and food from every corner of the globe. Visitors can drop into a family zone for clay painting, floral workshops, tote bag crafts and a range of come-and-try sports activities, while there's also a Street Feastival area offering drinks, refreshments, and a laid-back DJ soundtrack. Spanning three stages, the day's live music and dance line-up climaxes with a special collaboration between bagpipe rockers Red Hot Chilli Pipers and bhangra drum group The Dhol Foundation. Open from noon to 8pm. www.glasgowmela.com
3 Wooly Weekend
National Museum of Rural Life, Sat-Sun
An annual celebration of all things wool-related, combining a day out on the farm with sheep shearing, spinning and weaving demonstrations, craft activities, and a hidden trail of knitted items for children. Visitors can also catch up with new-born spring lambs, and a host of other animals including cows, chickens and alpacas. Meanwhile, Saturday also hosts a family ceilidh, and a performance by Gael Music's new South Lanarkshire Folk Academy; there are also traditional tales from storyteller Jen McCorkell on Sunday. Admission is free with museum entry, with tickets £7 (children £3.50, under 5s free). www.nms.ac.uk
4 Edinburgh Festival of Cycling
Across Edinburgh, until June 21
Set up in 2013 as a showcase for all aspects of bicycle culture in the capital, this summer's 11-day programme features everything from guided rides to family activities, cultural events, and workshops. As well as talks with adventurers Shannon Galpin and Emily Chappel, highlights include an exhibition on the city's cycling past and tours around the extensive local off-road cycle network. This weekend, those inspired by Sir Bradley Wiggins' latest exploits can take a turn on cycle speedway track, or sign up for the Capital Trail, a self-supported 200km mountain bike time trial. www.edfoc.org.uk
5 Borders Book Festival
Melrose, Thu-Sun
The worlds of literature, politics, food and entertainment converge on Melrose town centre, with over 100 events across four days including talks, discussions, live music and comedy. Much bigger than in previous years, the festival's traditional Harmony Garden footprint has now expanded to host an open air street market and a food and drink-themed tented village on an adjacent road and adjoining parkland. With a three day children's strand also starting tomorrow, a high profile guest list includes Gordon Brown, Alex Salmond, Michelle Mone, Rory Bremner and Patricia Hodge. www.bordersbooksfestival.org
6 The Moonwalk Scotland
Edinburgh, Sat
If you missed out on registration for this huge annual women-only charity walk, you can still take part by offering to lend a hand. Volunteer for a range of jobs by signing up online before 5pm on Saturday, or in person at the Moon Walk event city - a massive pink inflatable marquee in Inverleith Park. Taking place for a 10th anniversary year, participants will don colourfully decorated bras and undertake an overnight marathon-length stroll around the around the streets of the capital in aid of a range of breast cancer charities. www.walkthewalk.org/Volunteer/TheMoonWalkScotland
7 Scottish Juniper Festival
Summerhall, Edinburgh, Fri-Sun
Celebrate World Gin Day with a visit to this boutique festival, first staged last year in recognition of the growing popularity of the drink among discerning Scottish punters. Once there, you can sample the wares of 25 different gin brands from around Scotland, hear talks from makers, and discover a host of gin-inspired cocktails. There's also the chance to peek round a working distillery courtesy of Pickerings Gin, an Edinburgh company based at Summerhall. Tickets for four separate sessions across the weekend are available for £17.50-£21.50. Over 18s only, mind. http://bit.ly/1T9ReLl
8 National Busking Festival
Stirling, Fri-Sun
This weekend Stirling welcomes a diverse range of musical talent to its streets for the first event of its kind to be held in the UK. Declared to be the largest gathering of musical busking ever seen in Scotland, the weekend starts with a gala concert tomorrow night at Cowane's Hospital, before Saturday's main event, where a host of entrants will strut their stuff across a handful of sponsored performance pods in the city's Port Street. The event concludes with the first National Busking Awards, where the weekend's finest performers will be named across four illustrious categories. nationalbuskingfestival.com
9 Eden Festival
Raehills Meadows, Dumfries and Galloway, Thu-Sun
Take a trip into the country for this small, family friendly festival and an intriguingly eclectic mix of live music, theatre, entertainment, workshops, activities and art. Perhaps Scotland's only summer weekender to boast a drive in cinema, other curios include a bike-powered reggae sound system, and a woodland area with den building and forest skills fun for kids. This year's bill features old school rap pioneer Grandmaster Flash, Australian jazz-ska band The Cat Empire, and Mercury-winning UK hip-hop star Ms Dynamite. Tickets on the gate are £115 (£95 children). www.edenfestival.co.uk
10 Crail Food Festival
East Neuk, Fife, Fri-Sun
The fifth annual festival to be held in the picturesque coastal village of Crail provides a particularly good example the Year of Food and Drink initiative, in that it comprises an entire weekend of events designed to showcase and celebrate local produce. Starting tomorrow with an opening day supper and film night, things really take off from Saturday, with events hosted around a variety of venues including a producers market, cookery theatre, workshops, and pop-up food and drink experiences. Visitors can also soak up some seaside atmosphere at Sunday's Harbour Festival Day showpiece. www.crailfoodfest.co.uk
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