Arran bathed in golden light. Pic credit: John Mcsporran
Make the most of summer in Scotland by visiting an outdoors festival, or two, or three… We suggest 12 festivals that focus on outdoor activities.
Arran Mountain Film Festival
Isle of Arran, west coast of Scotland
May 13 to 16
Enjoy the adventure of taking a ferry to a Scottish island for this annual festival. The west coast island event includes a great mix of outdoor fun, including a range of walks for all, from wildlife watching strolls on the coast to scrambles on towering granite ridges. There’s also a 10th anniversary ceilidh.
TweedLove
Scottish Borders
May 14 to 30
Stunning mountain biking trails of Glentress. Pic credit: Addy.
This popular celebration of all things cycling takes place in and around the town of Peebles. There are lots of events for all types of riders, including off road and on road races, family activities, films, talks and workshops. Glentress, one of Europe’s top mountain biking destinations is at the heart of TweedLove.
The festival includes the Shimano TweedLove International Enduro event and Expo 2016 from May 20 to 22.
Angus Glens Walking Festival
Angus region
June 2 to 5
Path from Glen Doll to Glen Clova. Pic credit: Dona Robbins
The Angus Glens Walking Festival offers a programme of guided walks and wildlife watching opportunities. Experienced mountain leaders, many of whom live or work locally, guide walking guests on each walk, with countryside rangers and estate managers enhancing the experience with their knowledge of local history and wildlife.
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 2016
Scottish Highlands
June 4 to 6
This year, the popular Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup and BUFF 4X Pro Tour is rebranded with the theme “We Are Legend”. It will be a weekend of “legendary riders, legendary fans and a legendary location” in the Highlands.
Spectators will see action from the world’s top downhill and cross-country riders. There are also plenty of other mountain bike focused things to do in the Tech and Expo arenas.
Edinburgh Festival of Cycling 2016
Edinburgh city
June 9 to 19
Voted as one of the best cycling festivals in the UK, last year the 10-day event had to be extended by five days to accommodate more than 80 individual events at almost 50 different venues. The 2016 programme features rides, races and demonstrations for all types of cyclists, as well as workshops, family activities and cultural events.
Rock & Road Bike Festival
Scottish Highlands
June 11 and 12
The glens, off-road trails and winding roads of Tomintoul and Glenlivet are the base for this weekend festival. There are two road sportives and an enduro event to enjoy. There’s also a packed programme of demos, guided rides and workshops for all ages – from trike to bike, as well as music, films and stunts.
Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust
Cream O’ The Croft Bike Festival
Perthshire
June 17 to 19
This festival for families is back for 2016 and is based at the highly accessible at mountain biking trails at Comrie Croft, Perthshire. There will be lots to do including races, such as a Funduro, coaching, a pumptrack challenge and films.
Cream O’ The Croft Bike Festival
Edinburgh Canal Festival and Raft Race
Edinburgh
June 18
A fun canal festival with stalls, games, music, arts and a competitive home-made raft race to celebrate the city’s waterways.
Edinburgh Canal Festival and Raft Race
Scottish Traditional Boats Festival
North-east Aberdeenshire
June 25 to 26
Annual boat fest. Pic credit: Anne Burgess
The festival combines sailing and rowing with history (maritime and rural), crafts, music and arts. There is a fast-growing trend for building and racing skiff boats, too, and this festival is the place to watch or compete.
Scottish Traditional Boats Festival
Angus Cycling Festival
September 17 to 18
This two-day celebration of mountain biking takes place at Reid Park, Forfar. You can expect activities such as a toddler’s bike balance course, bike skills track, coaching, endure and youth races a stunt airbag, a family ride and a bike jumble.
CowalFest
October 7 to 16
A walk starts from Benmore Gardens on the Cowal Peninsula. Pic credit: William Craig
The walking and outdoors festival promises more than 60 walks to suit a wide range of abilities. Areas of interest include wildlife, photography, art, history, heritage, tai chi, great gardens and folklore.
Fair City Enduro
October 22
This is more than just a cycling event, it’s a chance to ride a six-stage mountain bike enduro dressed up as your favourite superhero, cartoon characters or celebrity. The mountain biking event also features kids races, family activities, bike demos and a trade village.