Summer in Scotland is a magical time; the days are long, the nights are full of celebrations at festivals around the country, the wildlife is thriving, and the welcome is warmer than ever in our cities, coastal towns and rural communities.
Edinburgh, Scotland’s Festival City, will open its doors and stages to the world once again as its iconic summer festival programme returns in full for the time since 2019. With seven festivals running from July through to August, Edinburgh is a key stop on any Scotland itinerary this summer. From jazz to film, books to comedy, art to theatre, topped off with rousing bagpipes, the city will be a hive of activity and this year is set to be extra special with three of the longest running festivals celebrating their 75th year anniversaries.
For more details on the individual festivals, visit: Edinburgh Festival City | The World’s Leading Festival City
After soaking up the festival atmosphere in the capital, visitors to Scotland can make the most of the long days and take a trip to the coast – Scotland has 10,000 miles of coastline and crystal-clear waters from city beaches in Edinburgh and Aberdeen to island gems in the Outer Hebrides. For more details, check out our latest release about Beaches in Scotland. There’s also kayaking and canoeing on our canals, or for those who want to get the adrenaline pumping, why not try white-water rafting?!
Across many parts of Scotland in the summer months it’s the time to unleash your inner Highlander and compete in the historic Highland Games which return in person for the first time since the last celebrations in 2019. An integral part of Scottish culture for hundreds of years, locals and visitors will be able to experience a sense of community, heritage and celebration at one of the many Games held across the country. Keep up to date with the Games at Scottish Highland Games 2022 Calendar.
For those looking to take things at more leisurely pace, the longer days are perfect for soaking up the summer sun on a walking trail in our two National Parks or at many of our woodland National Nature Reserves where there are plenty of opportunities for picnics and wildlife spotting. Getting about on two wheels couldn’t be easier in Scotland with the variety of cycle paths in our cities, long-distance routes across our islands and mountain biking trails in the south of Scotland.
Year of Stories Round-Up
Over halfway into the Year of Stories, there are still many chances for visitors to join in the celebration! With an events programme that boasts over 200 funded events along with 100 partner events, visitors can dive into Scotland’s fascinating stories in locations across the country this summer and beyond.
Dundee Summer (Bash) Streets Festival, 14 – 24 July
In Scotland’s UNESCO City of Design and the home of comics, Dundee Summer (Bash) Streets Festival turns the city into Beanotown from 14 to 24 July 2022, celebrating the stories and characters that have come out of Dundee. There’s something for everyone with a pop-up outdoor comic museum, the Dennis fun-run, workshops, talks, film screenings, street performances, an exhibition of emerging work, marble runs and world record attempts!
Perth & Kinross Year of Stories – Wire Women trail – from early July, Perth
An exciting and unique sculpture trail will hit the streets of Perth this summer, with life-size statues made of wire representing women from throughout the area’s history, as part of the Raise the Roof project and Perth and Kinross’ Year of Stories. The artist Vanessa Lawrence has been inspired by these stories to create the life-size sculptures. Dedicated maps will be available so people can find all twenty Wire Women across the city. Part of Perth & Kinross’ Year of Stories – Year of Stories Festivals (perthcity.co.uk)
Of Scotland’s Soils and Soul, mid-July to October (full details to be announced)
Thanks to support from the Year of Stories 2022 funded events programme, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will host Of Scotland’s Soils and Soul: Scotland’s voices, telling Scotland’s stories, through the world of plants – a multi-sensory journey celebrating stories inspired by Scotland’s rich and diverse plant life across its four Gardens at Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan, from July to October 2022. Year of Stories | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (rbge.org.uk)
GINspired by Year of Stories
The all-female Isle of Cumbrae distillers have launched their latest gin, Maura, on 15th June, inspired by the Year of Stories 2022. More info: Isle of Cumbrae distillers launch Maura gin – News | VisitScotland.org
News for Summer 2022
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel
This exhibition near Glasgow invites all to step into Michelangelo’s famous Sistine Chapel and experience greatest masterpieces from a totally new perspective, running until 14 August.
A warm Highland welcome
Royal Marine Hotel in Brora has reopened following an extensive £1.6million refurbishment. Guests are welcome to enjoy outstanding, fresh, local food with a range of new dining options as well as a challenging 18-hole links course at Brora Golf Club.
Canopy of colour
Shoppers will walk under a canopy of colourful umbrellas this summer as Aberdeen city centre is transformed into must-visit photography attraction. The installation aims to raise awareness of and to celebrate the ‘umbrella’ term of neurodiversity.
The Book of Deer Project
During Scotland’s Year of Stories from 9 July the remarkable 10th-century Book of Deer manuscript is returning to the North-East of Scotland for the first time in more than 1,000 years. A packed programme of events runs at Aberdeen Art Gallery until October.
The Home of Golf
Golf fans will not want to miss the action as Scotland plays host to six major tournaments this summer and into the autumn. Teeing off in North Berwick with the Genesis Scottish Open from 7th July and running through to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews at the end of September. For information on all events visit: Golf in Scotland – Breaks, Courses & Information | VisitScotland.
Arts at the heart of rural communities
SEALL celebrates 30 years of bringing the magic of live events to venues across Skye, Raasay and Lochalsh with a week-long programme of events, from 25 – 29 July.
Sustainable legacy
The Highland Council has declared a climate emergency and aspires to be net zero by 2025. On 29 July in Inverness The River Ness Hydro scheme and interactive visitor centre in will open to the public, a great day out for visitors of all ages who are interested in innovative sustainability projects.
Boeing 737 Galley lands in kitchen
N/ine. is an off-grid cottage that’s home to the world’s first kitchen made from a repurposed Airline Galley Unit in Banff, available for luxury stays from September 2022.
Echoes of Appin
Let multi-award-winning Scottish actress Kelly MacDonald, best known for her roles in Trainspotting and Line of Duty, take you on a new immersive soundwalk of the tranquil peninsula of Appin in Argyll and The Isles. Purchase to download the audio and use the map to create your own cultural tour of this Highland gem. All proceeds will support the work of Appin Community Development Trust.
Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life
Explore the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders at this summer’s must-see exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Runs until 30 October.
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