October 2020

Please be advised that due to the current Covid-19 situation, many events for 2020 will now be cancelled or rescheduled. Please check with individual event organisers.

A selection of autumn events in Scotland

Wigtown Book Festival
25 September - 4 October 2020, Dumfries & Galloway
The Lowlands have their own romance, giving birth to many of the writers, thinkers, warriors, explorers and inventors who have helped to shape the modern world. Hear their stories and explore the link between Galloway's stunning Lowland landscape and its people; drop in for a dram at Scotland's most southerly distillery and discover the lands where Robert the Bruce earned his spurs.

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
1 - 4 October 2020, Fife
168 professionals and 168 amateurs playing in teams of two. The teams play at 3 different courses for the first 3 days (the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie and Kingsbarns Golf Links) with the final round played at the Old Course at St Andrews.

The Enchanted Forest
1 October - 1 November 2020, Pitlochry, Perthshire
Scotland’s premier light and sound event uses the autumnal splendour of Faskally Wood as a natural backdrop to a glittering and original experience that is simply spectacular.

Ayrshire Real Ale Festival
1 - 3 October 2020, Troon
Celebrating its 20th year in 2019.

NessBookFest
1 - 3 October 2020
Inverness book festival

Callander Jazz and Blues Festival
2 - 4 October 2020
The largest rural Jazz & Blues festival in Scotland.

Ullapool Guitar Festival
2 - 4 October 2020
Annual music festival which started in 2000. This informal festival is a mix of music old and new, of electric and acoustic, of steel and nylon, of seasoned performers and those just starting out on their careers.

Inverness Gin Festival
3 October 2020, Inverness
The Scottish Gin Festivals tour reaches the Highland capital with a day of events at Eden Court Theatre including tastings, tapas and live music.

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running
4 October 2020
Runners complete a full marathon around Loch Ness. From Inverness there are 5K and 10K River Ness fun runs.

Bookmark
tbc October 2020, Perthshire
Book festival in Blairgowrie, Rattray and The Glens of East Perthshire

Kirkcudbright Festival of Light
8 - 11 October 2020, Dumfries and Galloway,
Arts festival launched in 2018.

Royal National Mod
8 - 17 October 2020 - postponed to 8 - 16 October 2021
Annual Gaelic competitions which take place in a different town/city each year. For 2021 this will be held in Inverness.

Boswell Book Festival
9 - 11 October 2020, Dumfries House, Cumnock, East Ayrshire
Re-scheduled from May, this Scottish cultural event is the world's only festival of biography and memoir.

World Porridge Making Championship
10 October 2020, Carrbridge, Cairngorms
Keen amateur and professional chefs compete for the title of world porridge making champion.

The Spree
tbc October 2020, Paisley
Music festival.

Aviemore half marathon

18 October 2020, Aviemore

Festival of the Future
tbc October 2020, Dundee
A festival hosted in Dundee combining dance, science, words, music, design, theatre and food through performances, talks, workshops, and more.

St Andrews Voices
15 - 18 October 2020, St Andrews, Fife
Opera, choirs, vocal music in all its forms.

Biggar Little Festival
tbc October 2020, Lanarkshire
A festival of the five arts, music, drama, dance, visual arts and literature. Add a smattering of comedy, food and crafts, and a fireworks finale and for 10 days in October little Biggar is the place to be.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival
16 - 31 October 2020, Edinburgh

The Dramathon
17 October 2020, Speyside
Choose to enter the marathon, half marathon, 10K or relay race. The marathon route follows the Speyside Way from Glenfarclas distillery to Glenfiddich distillery. You can pick up the corresponding miniatures at the end of the race.

Cowalfest
tbc late October 2020
This annual walking and outdoor festival is one of the largest and most varied in Scotland.

Sound Festival
22 October - 1 November 2020, Aberdeen
Innovation and new music including classical, jazz, electroacoustic, and sound art in venues in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Illuminight
tbc late October - mid November 2020, Dean Castle Country Park, East Ayrshire
Stunning lights, sounds and installations in the country park.

Kirkcudbright Food Festival
tbc late October 2020, Dumfries & Galloway
Food and drink from local producers.

Ullapool Beer Festival
tbc October 2020
This Wester Ross festival offerw a great celebration of real beers, food and music.

Tarbert Book Festival
tbc late October 2020, Tarbert, Kintyre
Events for all ages at this local book festival.

Dornoch Whisky Festival
30 October - 1 November 2020, Dornoch, Scottish Highlands