10 things to do in Scotland this week

A look ahead to the best one-off events and festivals taking place in Scotland this week, including the East Neuk Festival, gigs from Belle & Sebastian and Adam Stafford, Bard in the Botanics and the Kelburn Garden Party.

Duart Castle. Picture: Henry West

Music: Belle & Sebastian

Ironworks, Inverness

Mon 1 Jul, 7pm, £25; more info

Scotland’s biggest cult band have been quiet of late while frontman Stuart Murdoch has been filming God Help The Girl, the celluloid version of the album of the same name. But now, B&S are stirring again with plans to release a compilation of b-sides and rarities called The Third Eye Centre, a slew of festival dates and talk of recording again in the autumn. Before all of that, though, they play their first-ever gig in Inverness.

Festival: East Neuk Festival

Various venues, East Neuk, Fife

Wed 3 – Sun 7 Jul; more info

As if you need any more reason to visit this picturesque part of the Fife coastline, with its fishing villages, beaches and historic harbours, the East Neuk Festival provides several anyway. The multi-genre programme covers everything from classical music (The Tokyo String Quartet and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra) to literature (Andrew Greig with The Incredible String Band’s Mike Heron) and art.

Music: Adam Stafford

Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh

Thu 4 Jul, 7.30pm, £6; more info

Former Y’All Is Fantasy Island frontman turned alt-pop solo artist Adam Stafford is set to release another excellent album, Imaginary Walls Collapse, this time through Edinburgh’s Song, by Toad record label. You can hear tracks from this, alongside a few choice cuts from his debut, 2011′s Build a Harbour Immediately, in the intimate setting of the Wee Red Bar. First class support comes from RM Hubbert and Siobhan Wilson.

Theatre: Bard in the Botanics

Botanic Gardens, Glasgow

Throughout July; more info

When it rains, it’s hell; but on a beautiful summer evening, it’s as close to heaven – and to the heart of Shakespeare – as Scottish theatre can take you. So risk the weather, and head off to Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens for this year’s Shakespeare season. Director Gordon Barr’s Othello runs for another week; and it’s followed, in July, by a light-hearted remix of Much Ado About Nothing, and a short, sharp Julius Caesar, in the Kibble Palace.

Film: Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer

Selected cinemas, including Glasgow Film Theatre

From Fri 5 Jul; more info

Three young women face seven years in a Russian prison for a satirical performance in a Moscow cathedral. But who is really on trial in a case that has gripped the nation and the world beyond – the artists or the society they live in? Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin’s absorbing documentary takes us straight into the centre of the ensuing trial, with extraordinary access.

Festival: Kelburn Garden Party

Kelburn Castle, near Largs

Sat 6, Sun 7 Jul, £69 for weekend; more info

Festival season continues, and this weekend it’s Kelburn Garden Party’s turn. Like the finest boutique events, this weekender boasts an eclectic smattering of artists, musicians and DJs, as well as family activities and special events to make the most of the unique, historic setting. Acts appearing this year include Mr Scruff, Hidden Orchestra and Conquering Animal Sound.

Music: Mendelssohn on Mull

Various venues, Mull

Until Sat 6 Jul; more info

It’s worth getting over to Mull this week for the 25th Mendelssohn on Mull Festival. At the heart of the music-making are three string groups performing in a variety of charming venues, from Iona Abbey to Duart Castle. The artists will play a variety of quartets, quintets, sextets and octets by Schubert, Shostakovich, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Haydn and Mozart. Apart from Iona Abbey, all concerts are free of charge.

Art: Tomorrow Never Knows: Ed Atkins and Naheed Raza

CCA, Glasgow

Until 20 July; more info

The Jerwood/Film and Video Umbrella Awards allow moving image artists to pilot new ideas by offering financial and structural support, and two recent recipients are showing new commissions at the CCA in Glasgow. Ed Atkins has recently hurtled into the art stratosphere showing at Chisenhale, the Tate and this year’s Venice biennale, while Naheed Raza’s scientific background informs her elegant exploration of the strange world of cryonics.

Days out: Fife Regatta

Fairlie Quay Marina, Largs, Ayrshire

Until Fri 5 Jul; more info

Don’t be fooled by the name, because this Regatta is far from the East Neuk, and is actually all about welcoming back the yachts built by William Fife & son in the town between the turn of the 20th century and 1940. Even if you’re not lucky enough to be out at sea, anyone can look on at the nautical action from the shores during this eight-day event.

Days out: Linlithgow Civic Festival

Various venues, Linlithgow

From Sun 7 Jul; more info

A celebration of Scottish culture with ceilidhs, dances and sport events in the West Lothian town. The yearly event is fortnight of traditional music performances, ceilidhs, a gala, sport events and dances.

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