The calendar year is packed with lots of events throughout Scotland. Events can be incorporated as a unique add-on to itineraries where possible, or indeed may even be the whole reason for your client’s trip to Scotland.
Burns Night, at the end of January, celebrates Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard. At the same time Glasgow’s annual traditional music festival, Celtic Connections, takes place. The various Edinburgh Festivals in August bring an incredible buzz across the city. There are Highland Games also taking place in various locations throughout the summer months. And last, but by no means least, Hogmanay (the Scottish name for New Year’s Eve) celebrates the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.
Not all of these events work with travel trade or will be of interest to your clients, but it is worth being aware of the increase in demand for capacity around these times.
December 2024
- Castle of Light (Edinburgh, until 4 Jan)
- Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve)
January 2025
- Castle of Light (Edinburgh, 2-4 Jan)
- Celtic Connections (Glasgow, 16 Jan – 2 Feb)
- Burns Nights (Across Scotland, 25 Jan)
- Up Helly Aa (Shetland, 28 Jan)
- Six Nations Rugby (Edinburgh, Feb – Mar)
February 2025
- Celtic Connections (Glasgow, 16 Jan – 2 Feb)
- SPECTRA: Scotland’s Festival of Light (Aberdeen, Feb)
- Six Nations Rugby (Edinburgh, Feb – Mar)
- Glasgow Film Festival (26 Feb – 9 March)
March 2025
- Six Nations Rugby (Edinburgh, Feb – Mar)
- Glasgow Film Festival (26 Feb – 9 March)
- Glasgow International Comedy Festival (12-30 March)
April 2025
- Edinburgh Science Festival (5-20 April)
May 2025
- Highland Games 2024 (various locations, May – Sept)
- Kylie Minogue (Glasgow, 16 May)
- Jim Clark Rally (Scottish Borders, 23-25 May)
- Edinburgh Marathon Festival (24-25 May)
- Robbie Williams (Edinburgh, 31 May)
June 2025
- Kylie Minogue (Glasgow, 6 June)
- Billy Joel (Edinburgh, 7 June)
- Borders Book Festival (Melrose, 12-15 June)
- Royal Highland Show (Edinburgh, 19-22 June)
- Pride Edinburgh (28 June)
- Highland Games 2024 (various locations, May – Sept)
July 2025
- The Genesis Scottish Open (East Lothian, 9-13 July)
- TRNSMT Festival (Glasgow, 11-13 July)
- Orkney 2025 Island Games (12 – 18 July)
- The Tall Ships Race (Aberdeen, 19-22 July)
- Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival (12-20 July)
- Women’s Scottish Open (Troon, 24-27 July)
- Highland Games 2024 (various locations, May – Sept)
August 2025
- Edinburgh Festivals (Aug)
- Edinburgh Military Tattoo (1-23 Aug)
- Oasis (Edinburgh, 8/9/12 Aug)
- World Pipe Band Championships (Glasgow, 15-16 Aug)
- Scone Palace International Horse Trials (Perth, 21-24 Aug)
- Highland Games 2024 (various locations, May – Sept)
September 2025
- The International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight (5-6 Sept)
- Bloody Scotland – Crime writing festival (Stirling, 12-14 Sept)
- Wigtown Book Festival (Dumfries & Galloway, 16 Sept – 5 Oct)
- Loch Ness Marathon (28 Sept)
- Highland Games 2024 (various locations, May – Sept)
October 2025
- The Enchanted Forest (Pitlochry, 2 Oct – 2 Nov)
November 2025
- The Enchanted Forest (Pitlochry, 2 Oct – 2 Nov)
- St Andrew’s Day (Across Scotland, 30 Nov)
- Oban Winter Festival (Nov)
December 2025
- Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve)
2026 and Beyond
- 2026 Commonwealth Games (Glasgow, 23 July – 2 August 2026)
- UEFA EURO 2028 (Glasgow, summer 2028)