Events in Scotland 15th May

May 15: Halford Tour Series; Kirkcaldy

The Halfords Tour Series takes place across the UK throughout May and June, an event in which ten teams of five professional cyclists race each other with the eventual target of becoming overall champions of the Tour. The teams attempt to place their top three cyclists in the highest positions after the fast-paced, hour-long race. Kirkcaldy is hosting the first meeting of this year’s Tour, which has been described as the most challenging yet.

For more details, including a map of the route, visit tourseries.co.uk.

May 16: Diamond Jubilee Celebrations on the Royal Yacht Britannia; Edinburgh

Although the official Jubilee Week celebrations don’t take place until June 2-5, there are plenty of other events organised throughout the year, including the chance to celebrate 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. With former crew members invited back (affectionately known as ‘Yotties’, we’re told), there will be food, entertainment and games, as well as the opportunity to hear stories from the former crew members.

Ticket prices are the same as standard admission to Britannia. For more information, visit royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

May 17: Perth Festival of the Arts; various locations in Perth

Surely the chance to experience Goodie and Radio 4 darling Tim Brooke-Taylor is enough to encourage anyone to visit the Perth Festival of Arts, but for those who aren’t so easily pleased, there are a variety of performances, including Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, the English Touring Opera, who will be bringing ‘The Barber of Seville’ and ‘Eugene Onegin’, as well as the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. Aside from classical music, there is a strong emphasis on jazz with Scotland’s Carol Kidd taking to the stage, as well as a performance from Martin Simpson and Martin Taylor.

With a number of free events taking place as well, the Festival also gives local youngsters a chance to shine.

• Until May 27

For further information, visit perthfestival.co.uk

May 18th: Festival of Museums; various locations

2012 is the Year of Creative Scotland, with a number of events organised throughout the year. The Festival of Museums, however, has been re-established, and takes place between May 18th and May 20th. Held in tandem with a number of similar festivals in Europe, one of the highlights is the ‘Museums at Night’ event. Museum Galleries Scotland, the organisers of the Festival, are still adding events to the programme, and you can find out more about these events on the Museum Galleries Scotland’s website. With other events including a Celtic fairy tale reading at the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, lessons in sleuthing at St Andrews’ Bell Pottinger Museum and the chance to attend a Japanese tea ceremony at Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura, there really is something for everyone.

May 19th: Scottish Cup final - Hearts v Hibernian; Hampden Stadium, Glasgow

Not since 1896 have the capital rivals met in a cup final, when Hearts triumphed 3-1 in the match held at Logie Green in Edinburgh. With Hibernian seeking to finally lift the cup after 110 long years, having battled the drop for much of the season, and Hearts desperate to deny their city neighbours the chance and finish 2011/12 on a high, this promises to be one of the most exciting and compelling cup finals in years. Tickets are like gold dust however, but you can be sure of numerous pubs and bars showing the game live.

• Watch the Evening News staff pay, er, tribute to the ‘Salt and Sauce’ final, in their video ‘Go East.’

May 20th: For the King!; Blackness Castle nr. Linlithgow

Historic Scotland organise a number of events throughout the year, in which well-known battles or sieges are re-enacted, complete with historically factual dress and weaponry. Having held a similar event at Edinburgh Castle last year, this event, held over the weekend of May 19th and May 20th, sees soliders defending Blackness Castle from Oliver Cromwell’s forces in 1651. With an authentic military camp, and musket displays, this promises to be an educational and enjoyable day out.

Tickets are priced at £5 as part of castle admission, or £4 for the event alone (£3 for children) and Historic Scotland members go free. For more information, visit historic-scotland.gov.uk.

May 21st: A Prescription for Murder; Dundee

Who among us can honestly say we’ve never wanted to experience a real-life version of Cluedo? This event, billed as a ‘countryhouse whodunnit,’ is held from May 19th to May 26th in Dundee’s Little Theatre. A 21st century version of the classic genre (there’s even a computer salesman involved), Norman Robbins’ ‘A Prescription for Murder’ centres on Dr. Forth. Is he trying to kill off his wife Barbara, so that the wealthy Julia can take her place? And just who is the mysterious computer salesman Eric Dawson?

Tickets are priced at £9, with performances starting at 7.30pm. For more information, visit the Dundee Dramatic Society’s website on dundeeds.co.uk

Events in Scotland 15th May - 21st May