What to expect from Scotland's Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design

Four Scottish creatives including a fashion blogger, designer, architect and games developer launch the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design iconic Rennie Mackintosh building Scotland Street School Museum.

The 2016 celebration will shine a spotlight on the richness of Scotland’s heritage, culture and environment, alongside the contemporary and forward-thinking designs of today.

From festivals of light, to festivals of architecture, luminous origami birds to Harris Tweed celebrations, digital gaming to Renaissance fashion, a variety of events will take place the length and breadth of the country during 2016.

INNOVATION 

 The National Museum of Scotland is currently undergoing a £14 million redevelopment but it will celebrate its 150th anniversary with the opening of 10 new exhibits showcasing collections of decorative art, design, fashion, science and technology.

The new £1.4 billion Queensferry Crossing bridge will also officially open over the year.

ARCHITECTURE

A programme of 28 events with a funding value of £265,350 will make the Festival of Architecture an exciting line-up that will aim to shine a spotlight on some of Scotland’s greatest assets, icons and hidden gems throughout the year.

Running throughout 2016, with more than 400 events and exhibitions taking place the length and breadth of Scotland, the Festival of Architecture is co-ordinated by The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). Announced in July, the Festival will receive £300,000 from the Scottish Government and £100,000 from VisitScotland.

DESIGN

The Clo Mor Festival of Harris Tweed, taking place from August to October, aims to celebrate and promote innovation in Harris Tweed on a national and international scale.

The event will highlight the world-class designers working with Harris Tweed, whilst at the same time connecting local people and visitors to the achievements in the industry.

The event will include a Weekend Festival of Harris Tweed designers, producers, demonstrations and talks; an exhibition ‘From the Land comes the Cloth’ curated by Ian Lawson, connecting product from top Harris Tweed designers with his highly-acclaimed photography; the launch of a specially-commissioned kinetic sculpture from a traditional Hattersley Loom by international innovators, Sharmanka; an exclusive screening of a new film capturing the journey of the cloth from weaver’s shed to London Fashion Week and once in a lifetime tours taking in the Harris Tweed landscape.

Architecture in focus as Scotland gears up for year of grand designs

Other highlights include:

In Vogue – a fashion show of the centuries (Stirling Castle)

Luminous Birds – art installations encouraging communities to celebrate their surroundings (Aberdeen, Dumfries & Galloway, Glasgow)

Craft Scotland – Meet Your Maker (Scotland-wide)

Edinburgh International Science Festival – including a Tiny Home Trail (Edinburgh)

World Canals Public Programme (Highlands)

Building Blocks at Glasgow School of Art (Glasgow)

SPECTRA – Festival of Light (Aberdeen)

Ignite – celebration of creativity in our City of Design (Dundee)

To find events near you visit the Year of Innovation, Archtecture and Design’s homepage at VisitScotland.