Events in Scotland: June 19

June 19th: Pirates and Patriots, Edinburgh Castle

Believe it or not, during the American War of Independence, prisoners of war were held in the vaults beneath Edinburgh Castle. This event allows you to meet an American prisoner, and hear about life in the castle’s vaults.

Admission is included in the overall price for visiting the castle, and the event is held in the castle’s Great Hall at 11.15 am, 12.15 pm, 2.00 pm and 3.00 pm.

For more information, email: [email protected]

June 20th: Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh

Now in its 66th year, the EIFF is considered one of the highlights of 2012, the Year of Creative Scotland. The Festival opens with the premiere of William Friedkin’s blackly comic thriller Killer Joe, at the capital’s Festival Theatre on Wednesday 20th June, with director and cast in attendance.

Disney Pixar’s Scottish animation Brave is expected to be a big hit, with its European premiere on the last night of the Festival having been announced by Alex Salmond and the EIFF’s artistic director Chris Fujiwara in March of this year. Featuring the voices of Kelly Macdonald, Julie Walters and Robbie Coltrane, the film is thought to be darker than previous Pixar efforts but is still expected to be a hit nonetheless.

Visit Edinburgh Film Fest for more details.

June 21st: The Big Concert, Raploch, Stirling

Join Gustvao Dudamel, and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, in Raploch, Stirling for this event to open the London 2012 Festival in Scotland, in tandem with Creative Scotland. The 200-strong orceshtra, under the stewardship of the charismatic Dudamel, will perform an outdoor concert, with Stirling Castle as a backdrop, as part of Sistema Scotland - the Venezuelan project that seeks to improve the lives of children through music. For the past five years, youngsters in Stirling have been learning orchestral instruments as part of a Scottish equivalent called ‘Sistema Scotland - Big Noise.’ The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra will work with local school children, before performing a concert with a guest appearance from Sistema Scotland.

For more information visit: makeabignoise.org.uk

June 22nd: Royal Highland Show, Ingliston, Edinburgh

Lasting from June 21st until June 24th, the Royal Highland Show features a number of exhibits from forestry to handcrafts, including a motoring section and of course, the livestock. With the official site promising a show to remember (Chainsaw Relay Race, anyone?), it sounds as though the RHS has upped its game this year, in a bid to try and attract more visitors. With whisky sampling and stalls by companies including Mackie’s Ice Cream and Walker’s Shortbread, there’s plenty on offer in addition to the agricultural side of things.

Download daily diaries for the RHS {pdfs)

June 23rd: Peebles Beltane Festival Red Letter Day

Bringing Peebles’ Beltane Festival to an end, the Red Letter Day sees the crowning of the Beltane Queen amongst other activities. Hundreds of school children, who have been given costumes to wear, will stand on the steps of the town kirk to watch the coronation, before parading through Peebles on decorated trucks. Events include the early morning Rideout, which leaves from South Park Industrial Estate, going over Cademuir Hill and through Cademuir Forest before returning to join the Grand Procession.

For a full list of the day’s events, visit: peeblesbeltanefestival.co.uk

June 24th: Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, Portsoy

Now in its 18th year, Portsoy’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival offers a variety of events, including boat building and restoration, sailing, knitting, weaving and embroidery and a number of music and art exhibitions, not forgetting the Food Fayre. Traditional boats from far and wide are expected to make the trip to Portsoy for this festival.

This year’s festival is aimed at embracing Creative Scotland 2012, and will provide elements of the region’s history and cultural heritage.

For more information visit the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival website.

June 25th: 470 European Championship, Largs

One of the final competitions before the 2012 Olympics sees the world’s sailors compete in the 470 European Championship in Largs. Hosted by Largs Sailing Club, the event is expected to attract top sailors eager to hone their skills before competing in London later this year. Team GB’s Scottish sailor, Luke Patience, will be looking to succeed on home waters, before competing in Weymouth in July.

For more details, visit yachthavens.com

Events in Scotland: June 19 - 25