10 things to do in Scotland this week

Seasick Steve plays the Picture House in Edinburgh later this week. Picture: Complimentary

Electric Circus, Edinburgh

Tonight, 7pm, £12

The former Arab Strap singer-songwriter starts his UK tour in support of a reissue of his solo debut, 5:14 Fluoxytine Seagull Alcohol John Nicotine. But he’s also promised to dip into his back catalogue - and unveil some of his new material too.

Theatre: A Doll’s House

Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

Until Saturday, various times, £14.50-£29

Despite its conventional Edwardian look, there’s a subtle radicalism about Zinnie Harris’s new version of Ibsen’s most famous play, staged by the Royal Lyceum and the National Theatre of Scotland.

Art: RSA New Contemporaries

Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh

Until 8 May, 10am-5pm (12pm-5pm Sundays), £4

RSA New Contemporaries, now in its fifth year, replaced the Annual Student Exhibition ﬁrst held in 1976. It is a once-a-year chance to spot new talent from among the graduating students of Scotland’s ﬁve art schools, and you don’t need to tramp round all the degree shows to do it.

Culture: Beltane Fire Festival

Calton Hill, Edinburgh

Tuesday, 8pm, £7 adv. £10 on the day

Edinburgh’s annual procession of fire, drumming and revelry is a remarkable event, now attracting some 12,000 visitors. Held to celebrate the start of the summer (we can but hope), expect dancing, theatrics, and a phenomenal atmosphere.

Comedy: Eddie Izzard

AECC Arena, Aberdeen

Thursday and Friday, 6.30pm, £35

Now firmly established as one of the world’s biggest stand-ups, the king of surreal musing kicks off the UK leg of his brand new show ‘Force Majeure’ in Scotland. Expect typically eccentric insights from the man who turned “talking b****cks” into an art form.

Music: Shetland Folk Festival

Lerwick, Shetland

Thursday to Sunday, tickets must be purchased for individual concerts

Justly famous around the world, the UK’s most northerly folk festival will this year showcase another fine array of local music - as well as hosting performances from visiting acts such as Skerryvore, Woody Pines and Cedric Watson.

Food & Drink: Spirit Of Speyside Whisky Festival

Speyside, Moray and the Highlands

Thursday to Monday, various times and prices

With more than 350 events taking place over five days, this celebration of Speyside’s illustrious whisky heritage takes in plenty of tastings and distillery tours - as well as food, music, culture, sightseeing, contests and master-classes.

Music: Seasick Steve

The Picture House, Edinburgh

Friday, 7pm, £22

The much-loved DIY blues rocker is back on tour with brand new album Hubcap Music, so expect earthy entertainment and great, gritty tunes from outlandish personalised instruments. This delightful old dog has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years - and deservedly so.

Clubs: Bicep, Steffi & Dark Sky @ Naive x Feel My Bicep

Make Do, Glasgow

Saturday, 10pm-4am, £8-£12 more info

Almost as if to show how much of an open, multi acre-sized field house music has become, Bicep, Steffi and Dark Sky converge to bring their own distinctive slants on a patch still bearing fruit in the most surprising ways.

Music: Big Day In

Electric Circus, Edinburgh

Sunday, 2pm, £15

There’s a terrific day of music in store at the Electric Circus this coming weekend, with sets from indie darlings Dutch Uncles, local electro heroes Discopolis and Glasgow band Machines In Heaven, among others.

Find more things to do in Scotland on WOW247.co.uk.