As the Old Celtic Year elides into the New, warm your cockles at Gaelic events across the mainland this November. Celebrate Samhain weekend in the Borders with renowned singer and broadcaster Joy Dunlop (Saint-Boswells Village Hall, Saturday 2). At Glasgow’s Mitchell Library (Friday 8), Sgioba Luaidh Inbhir Chluaidh (Inverclyde Waulking Group) teach Gaelic waulking songs, sung mostly by Hebridean women to accompany their work during the dark winter months. No singing experience or Gaelic knowledge required; join them at the table, working the cloth, or sit back and listen. 

With Gaelic children’s literature also featuring at the Mitchell, join Gillebride MacMillan as he reads from the newest Gaelic Paddington book, Paddington agus Iongantas na Nollaige (Paddington And The Christmas Surprise) (Saturday 9). Also catch him on BBC Sounds with Òran Annad, showcasing the best of new Gaelic songwriting and top-notch guests. Later in Glasgow, Shane Johnstone launches his bilingual volume Beul-aithris Chnoc a’ Ghobhainn (Govanhill Mythology), with poetry readings and Gaelic-medium conversation with Niall O’Gallagher at the Gaelic Books Council (Thursday 14). The poetry collection beats with the heart of the Govanhill community, at one time infamous as the murder capital of Europe, now a lively, compassionate part of the city. 

Màiri Callan has set contemporary melodies to the unset bardic texts of 16th and 17th-century Gaelic poets, such as Màiri nighean Aladair Ruaidh, Mairearad nighean Lochlainn and Sìleas na Ceapaich. Hoping to reintroduce their work to a new generation of Gaelic singers and their audiences, she will be joined by Fearghas Hetherington (main picture) on fiddle at Edinburgh’s Scottish Arts Club (Friday 1). Then from Johnstone Terrace, set off from the capital with International Student Tours Scotland to the forests of Argyll and the Cowal Peninsula. This time taking in Puck’s Glen, Dunoon, panoramic views of Glen Coe, other autumn tours include adventures in Skye, and at Loch Ness and Aberdeenshire’s Dunnottar Castle.

Fèis Fharfair kicks off this month too (Saturday 9) at Forfar Community Campus. Led by Saoirse MacIntee, pre-school children can enjoy crafts and play, then Gaelic songs and storytime. For adults, the Fèis 45-minute sessions will include tin whistle, clàrsach, fiddle, Gaelic singing, and a Gaelic conversation circle. In addition to these, children can also experience step-dancing and Gaelic drama. After workshops, families can attend a coffee afternoon at Forfar Guide Centre.

Further afield, Drymen Village Halls welcomes back Skye archivist and folklorist Catherine MacPhee, alongside a host of musical talent from Scotland, Kurdistan, Brazil and Japan. Unearthing Connections: Dòchas (Friday 1) embraces music, song and rhythm, from Issho Taiko Drummers, Katie Boyle, Sandra MacBeth, and more. Then, musical duo Finlay Wells and Sorren Maclean return to Oban’s Kilmelford and Kilninver Village Hall (Friday 15). Having released their acclaimed EP, Eastbound And Down, in 2012, they're now back with fresh compositions.