Big names from art, film and music join thousands of bell-ringers

THE All the Bells appeal – when owners of bells are being encouraged to ring them at the same time to mark the start of the Olympics – is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the cultural celebrations in Scotland.

Organisers hope thousands of bells will be rung around Scotland at 8am on 27 July, with the initiative promoted through a soon-to-be-launched website.

A number of events are being held in the run-up to the games, including screenings of a series of short films made in Shetland, with acclaimed film critics Mark Kermode and Linda Ruth Williams helping to promote the movies in other parts of the UK. Ticket-holders to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations will be sent pieces of digital art direct to their mobile phones, as part of the countdown to the games.

But one of the most popular events is expected to be the concert outside Stirling Castle, where Gustavo Dudamel, the conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the world-famous Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra will perform on 21 June – Midsummer’s Day.

Another popular event will be the “Imaginate Festival” - a Scotland-wide theatre tour for young people showcasing newly written plays celebrating the Olympic ideal.