Entertainment for all the family
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July
2 Eriska, Ceilidh Place, Ullapool. www.ceilidhplace.com
2-6 Educating Rita, Eden Court, Inverness – starring one of our best loved actors Stephen Tompkinson as Frank and introducing Jessica Johnson as Rita. www.eden-court.co.uk
3 Garden Open: The Castle & Gardens of Mey, Caithness – this romantic and unique garden is a reminder that, however daunting the weather, it is often possible with a little vision and energy to create and maintain a garden in the most unlikely of locations. www.scotlandsgardens.org
3-4 XpoNorth, Eden Court, Inverness. www.xponorth.co.uk
5 Jim Smith - Back to the Teuchter, The Stables, Cromarty, 8pm – it's ‘Countryfile’ meets ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ as Jim hits the stage using characters, regional accents and impressions to help explain to city slickers what the outside world looks like through the eyes of those that 'bide up the glen'. www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk
5 Moishe’s Bagel, Ceilidh Place, Ullapool. www.ceilidhplace.com
6 Gairloch Highland Gathering, Sands Caravan and Camping, Gairloch – with hill race, pipe bands, Highland dancing, strong men demonstrations and marquee dance. Find on Facebook.
6 The Proclaimers, Bught Park, Inverness – legendary Scottish duo. Tickets from www.ticketline.co.uk
6 Fortrose Community Market, Fortrose Town Hall, 10am-12.30pm.
6 Inverness Farmers’ Market, Eastgate end of High Street, Inverness.
6 Garden Open: Haugh Garden, College of Roseisle. www.scotlandsgardens.org
6-13 Lairg Gala Week.
7 Cairngorm Farmers Market, The Square, Grantown.
9 Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy, Ceildh Place, Ullapool. www.ceilidhplace.com
10 Seashore Safari, Rosemarkie Beach, Rosemarkie, noon-2pm – search for spiny urchins, nippy crabs and slippery blennies in the rockpools with the local ranger, and maybe see some dolphins. Free event but donations welcome. Email Marcia.rae2@highlifehighland.com or ring 07788387634. Visit www.highlifehighland.com for details of ranger events in your area.
10 Dornoch Community Markets, Cathedral Green, Dornoch, 9.30am-1pm. www.visitdornoch.com
11 The Mary Duff Show with Special Guest Ray Murtagh, Eden Court, Inverness – hugely successful Irish singer. www.eden-court.co.uk
11 Snuffbox, Ceilidh Place, Ullapool. www.ceilidhplace.com
July 11, 18 and 25 Heritage In Action Days, Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore. Extra demonstrations and activities across the museum – come and join in the fun! Visit www.highlifehighland.com
12 Teuchter's Comedy Club, The Muir Hub, Muir of Ord – join The Teuchter's Comedy Club for a hilarious night of comedy. Limited tickets £7 available on Eventbrite and at The Muir Hub. https://themuirhub.org
12-14 Zog, Eden Court, Inverness – Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's much-loved Zog comes to life. www.eden-court.co.uk
12 to August 20 Fèis an Eilein, Skye Festival, Sleat, Skye. www.seall.co.uk
13 Jacobite Day, Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum, Skye. www.armadalecastle.com
13 The 27th Tain Highland Gathering, Tain – sponsored by Glenmorangie, the event includes Highland dancing, piping, track and field events, cycling, and one of the longest and heaviest cabers on the games circuit. www.tainhighlandgathering.com
13 Garden Open: Three Gardens, near Dornoch – organic wildlife garden at the edge of boggy moorland. www.scotlandsgardens.org
13 Cromarty Community Market, Victoria Hall, Cromarty 11am-2pm.
13-20 Hopeman Gala Week. www.hopemangala.co.uk
14 Garden Open: Gordon Castle Walled Garden, Fochabers – at eight acres this is one of the largest and oldest walled gardens in Britain. It’s being restored with a new design by award-winning designer Arne Maynard and includes veg, fruit, herbs and flowerbeds alongside 259 espaliered trees on 15ft high walls. www.scotlandsgardens.org
17 Wild Summer, Tain Library, Tain, 10.30am-11.30am – join the ranger for a summer session full of wild things! Free event but donations welcome. Email Marcia.rae2@highlifehighland.com or ring 07788387634.
17 Seashore Safari, Shandwick Beach, near Balintore, 2pm-4pm – search for spiny urchins, nippy crabs and slippery blennies in the rockpools with the local ranger. Free event but donations welcome. Email Marcia.rae2@highlifehighland.com or ring 07788387634.
17 Garden Open: The Castle & Gardens of Mey, Caithness. www.scotlandsgardens.org
17 Assynt, Ceilidh Place, Ullapool. www.ceilidhplace.com
18 Seashore Safari, Rosemarkie Beach, Rosemarkie, 2pm-4pm - search for spiny urchins, nippy crabs and slippery blennies in the rockpools with the local ranger and maybe see some dolphins. Free event but donations welcome. Email Marcia.rae2@highlifehighland.com or ring 07788387634.
18 Rachel Harrington, Eden Court, Inverness – acoustic country from the American West. www.eden-court.co.uk
18-20 Tom Gates Live on Stage! Eden Court, Inverness – perfect for all the family whether you are a lover of the books or new to Tom and his friends. www.eden-court.co.uk
19 Tracks and Signs, The Muir Hub, Muir of Ord, 10.30am-2.30pm – learn the ancient art of tracking. Discover what clues some of our most iconic species leave behind and how you can read the story of their travel through the landscape. Free event but donations welcome. Email Marcia.rae2@highlifehighland.com or ring 07788387634.
19 Spontaneous Potter, Elgin Town Hall, Elgin – an entirely improvised Harry Potter comedy play, based on an audience suggestion of a fan fiction title. www.elgintownhall.co.uk
19-20 Caithness Agricultural Show, Wick. www.caithnessshow.co.uk
20 Inverness Highland Games, Bught Park, Inverness. www.invernesshighlandgames.com
20 Garden Open: Haugh Garden, College of Roseisle. www.scotlandsgardens.org
20 Windswept Brewery Trail Run and Tour, Windswept Brewery Tap Room, Lossiemouth, 10.30am – join RunSpeyside and Nigel Tiddy, one of Windswept’s founders and directors for a 10 mile trail run around the woods and beaches of Lossiemouth. After the run Nigel will give a tour of the brewery followed by a tasting in the on-site Tap Room. www.runspeyside.co.uk
20 Culbokie Community Market, Findon Hall, Culbokie, 10am-12.30pm.
20 Sutherland Show, Dornoch Links, Dornoch.
20 The 41st Lochcarron Highland Games, Attadale Estate, Lochcarron – mixture of heavy events, track and field plus non-competitive Highland dancing and piping displays. www.lochcarrongames.org.uk
21 Garden Open: Kiltarlity Gardens, Kiltarlity – see www.scotlandsgardens.org for full details.
21 Garden Open: 2 Durnamuck, Little Loch Broom, Wester Ross. www.scotlandsgardens.org
21-27 Muir of Ord Gala, Muir of Ord – fun runs, golf open, cinema, workshops, bowling, discos, ceilidh. Gala day programme on Saturday features the float parade and marquee dance. Find on Facebook.
21-27 Portmahomack Gala Week, Portmahomack – main gala day is Saturday July 27. Find on Facebook.
21-27 Brora Carnival Week. Find on Facebook.
23 McKerron, Brechin, O h’Eadhra, Ceilidh Place, Ullapool. www.ceilidhplace.com
23 Act of Repair, Eden Court, Inverness – a brand-new piece of theatre with the themed enquiry of Brexit. It is devised, written and performed by the company and directed by Brian Ferguson (Cyrano De Bergerac). www.eden-court.co.uk
23 The Tempest, Elgin Cathedral, Elgin - Shakespeare's final play, is also believed by many to be his finest comedy, presented in Illyria's slick, physical and imaginative style. www.historicenvironment.scot
24 Dornoch Community Markets, Cathedral Green, Dornoch, 9.30am-1pm. www.visitdornoch.com
24 Seashore Safari, Portmahomack Beach, Portmahomack, 10am-noon – search for spiny urchins, nippy crabs and slippery blennies in the rockpools with the local ranger. Free event but donations welcome. Email Marcia.rae2@highlifehighland.com or ring 07788387634.
25 Alistair McCulloch Trio, Ceilidh Place, Ullapool. www.ceilidhplace.com
25 Exploring Cromarty Foreshore, Cromarty Links, Cromarty, 10am-noon – when the tide is out there is a whole world uncovered. Come along and look for King Rags, Luggies, Brittlestars and other sea creatures. Free event but donations welcome. Email Marcia.rae2@highlifehighland.com or ring 07788387634.
26 Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail, The Stables, Cromarty, 8pm – five talented young musicians will entertain you with a family-friendly, authentic, traditional ceilidh with caller so no problem if it’s your first time! www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk
26 Durness Highland Gathering. www.durnesshighlandgathering.co.uk
26-27 Aultbea Fun Day and Raft Race – the highlight of the Aultbea and district summer calendar. Find on Facebook.
26-28 Speyfest, Fochabers. www.speyfest.com
27 Tain Community Market, Rose Gardens, Tain, 10am-2pm – for more details visit the Tain & District Development Trust Facebook page.
27 North Kessock Community Market, North Kessock Hall, 10am-12.30pm.
27 Nairn Show, Kinnudie Farm, Auldearn. www.nairnshow.org.uk
27 Applecross Highland Games, Applecross. Find on Facebook.
27 Halkirk Highland Games, Caithness – one of the biggest events of its kind in the north. www.halkirkgames.co.uk
27 Dufftown Highland Games, Mortlach Sports Field, Dufftown. www.dufftownhighlandgames.com
27 to August 3 Golspie Gala Week. Find on Facebook.
28 Garden Open: House of Aigas and Field Centre, by Beauly. www.scotlandsgardens.org
28 Garden Open: Glenrinnes Lodge, Dufftown, Keith & Banffshire - the garden is typical of a Victorian lodge. www.scotlandsgardens.org
29 to August 10 Plockton Regatta, Plockton – an exciting summer fortnight of sailing races and entertainment. www.plockton-sailing.com
30 Ocean Colour Scene plus special guests, The Ironworks, Inverness – the Birmingham band stands shoulder to shoulder with the greats of modern British rock. www.ironworksvenue.com
31 to August 1 Black Isle Show, Mannsfield Showground, Muir of Ord – the largest agricultural show in the north. Main ring entertainment still to be confirmed. www.blackisleshow.com
Every effort has been made to ensure the information in the listings is accurate. Please phone ahead or check the relevant website before travelling to any event.