10 things to do in Scotland this week

THE best one-off events and festivals in Scotland this week, including the start of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Tattoo, the Tartan Heart music festival and Pollok Family Day.

Nouvelle Vague perform at Belladrum Tartan Heart festival. Picture: Contributed

Cabaret: Le Gateau Chocolat

Underbelly, Edinburgh

Wed 31 Jul, 8.30pm; more info

And we’re off! Well, some people are. While most Fringe shows don’t kick off until Thursday or Friday, some are previewing from Wednesday – such as the delightful cabaret star Le Gateau Chocolat, who you can also see at the Scotsman’s Best of the Fest show next Monday.

Festival: Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo

Edinburgh Castle Esplanade

Fri 2 Aug, 9pm, and then every night except Sunday, until 24 Aug, £24 to £60; more info

Highland dancers, massed bands, Scottish army regiments, display teams and other acts from all across the world gather before around an accumulative total of 217,000 visitors every year to soak in an atmosphere unique to the city. Yes, the Tattoo is back in town, and it kicks off tonight.

Day out: Aberdeen’s International Street Market

Union Terrace, Aberdeen

Fri 2 – Sun 4 Aug, 9am – 6pm, free; more info

Union Terrace is closed to traffic this weekend for the return of Aberdeen’s International Street Market, part of the Granite City’s Summer Festival programme. There will be around 70 stalls offering food, crafts and gardening supplies from around Europe.

Festival: Tartan Heart

Beauly, Inverness-shire

Fri 2 – Sat 3 Aug; more info

Another weekend, another bijou Scottish festival which has comfortably made its mark on the summer calendar. The Tartan Heart festival, or Belladrum as it’s known colloquially, is a wee gem of an event, with a lovely, colourful site in a natural amphitheatre and a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere. The headliners this year are James, Twin Atlantic and Seasick Steve, while the rest of the bill broadly comprises indie bands and roots and folk artists.

Family: Pollok Family Day

Pollok Country Park, Glasgow

Sat 3 Aug, 10am-5pm, free; more info

After running continuously for over 30 years, Pollok Family Day is a fixture of the Glasgow summer calendar. With four entertainment areas, covering everything from falconry displays to music and food stalls, this is an ideal way to keep the kids happy this weekend.

Theatre: Ciara

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh

Until 25 Aug; more info

David Harrower’s new play for the Traverse delves beneath the surface of Glasgow’s long standing fascination with crime and those involved in it. The star is Blythe Duff, who was terrific in Harrower’s previous play, Good With People.

Music: King Creosote

The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug, 8pm, £16; more info

The Fence Collective star plays an acoustic and then a full band set at the Queen’s Hall, a venue which is hosting a series of top Scottish acts throughout the festival season, including Withered Hand, Rachel Sermanni and Karine Polwart.

Art: A Picture Show

Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow; more info

Any notions that painting in Scotland ain’t what it ought to be should be laid to rest immediately by this show of works from 12 Glasgow’s painters, from the archaic stillness of Hanneline Visnes to the perpetual intellectual motion of Neil Clements.

Film: Frances Ha

Selected cinemas nationwide; find screenings near you

Noah Baumbach’s surprisingly sprightly film, about a few days in the life of the impulsive Frances (played brilliantly by Baumbach’s partner Greta Gerwig), was one of the highlights of this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, and is on a wider release now.

Family: Scone Palace Family Fun Day

Scone Palace, Perth

Sun 4 Aug, 11am – 4pm, £6, child £4.20, OAP/NUS £5.40, family £19.50; more info

Among the activities on offer at this day out for all the family are treasure hunts, water zorbing, pottery painting, glitter tattoos, croquet and a BBQ.

• Find more things to do near you on our events website, WOW247.co.uk