Events guide: What’s on in Scotland this week

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (17th July)

FRESH from a barnstorming main stage set at T in the Park, the older of the two Gallagher brothers made famous by Oasis brings his High Flying Birds to Edinburgh Castle for one of this summer’s concerts at the castle. Gallagher himself has hinted that fans expecting new material, as opposed to a mixture of High Flying Birds and Oasis, won’t be disappointed.

Mull Highland Games (19 July)

WE KNOW that Highland Games are, by this point in the year, ten-a-penny. But where better to watch caber-tossing, piping competitions and a tug o’ war contest than in the beautiful surrounds of Erray Park, in Tobermory? With a site overlooking The Sound of Mull, Morvern and Ardnamurchan, the picturesque scenery provides a stunning backdrop for both local and international visitors to take part or simply watch proceedings from the safety of the sidelines.

• 10.30am - 4.30pm.

Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival (20-29 July)

BOASTING a star-studded lineup including legendary blues guitarist Robert Cray; Jack Bruce, formerly bassist and vocalist with Cream, and American singer Curtis Stigers, the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival manages to cram in around 108 gigs in nine days in various locations throughout the capital, making for a breathtaking few days, but if you’ve got the stamina it’ll be worth it. With well-known local groups hob-nobbing with international acts, this year’s festival looks set to eclipse last year’s.

For more information, including lineup and the chance to buy tickets visit the festival’s website.

Wickerman Festival (20-21 July)

WITH A host of up-and-coming Scottish bands and musicians including United Fruit, Dog is Dead and Beerjacket lining up alongside the Scissor Sisters and Dundee band The View, the Wickerman Festival will be aiming to cement its place in the upper echelons of Scottish music festivals with this year’s lineup. Held in East Kirkcarswell, near Dundrennan in the south west of the country, the festival has a children’s area as well as an environmentally-friendly approach.

For more details, visit the Wickerman Festival website.

Tiree Music Festival (21-22 July)

ROUNDING up a largely music-oriented events guide this week is the Tiree Music Festival, headlined by Toploader and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, this year’s festival also plays host to a number of current darlings of the underground music scene in Scotland. Or you could always try out your circus skills, get your face painted or improve your tapestry. And the best part is, you can arrive by boat. You won’t get that at T in the Park.

A number of folk bands and musicians are also on the bill in Tiree, with Skerryvore and Anderson McGinty Webster Ward and Fisher appearing on the main stage. For more information, point your browsers to tireemusicfestival.co.uk.