East Argyllshire rings in the Celtic New Year with classes for beginners to advanced learners at 95 London Road, Kilmarnock (Saturday 1). In Edinburgh, Bothan na Samhna features Double Gold Medallist Ruairidh Gray and Oban Times-winner Julie-Anne NicPhàidein (Friday 7) at Edinburgh’s Scottish Storytelling Centre. Hugh Dan MacLennan also shares tales of shinty in Scotland and anecdotes from his own shinty experiences at Thomson’s Land (Friday 7). 

Feed the mind with lectures beginning with Greg Walker and Randall Stevenson as they discuss links between and Scottish drama (in Gaelic, Scots and English) ahead of a new publication (Saturday 8). Then, join the launch of Liz MacWhiter’s long poem ‘Blue: A Lament For The Sea’, inspired by a medieval Gaelic apocalyptic sea floods and the rise of the sacred Isle of Iona (Saturday 8). Both events are at Edinburgh’s Martin Hall.

The pilgrimage of knowledge continues, as Prof Aonghus MacKechnie asks: ‘If a landscape “speaks”, can we hear it?’ at 41 George IV Bridge (Monday 10). Immerse yourself in language and culture at Oban’s Furan (Tuesday 11): classes are inclusive of beginners and intermediates. The Makar elucidates on Makaring, Bàrding, Gaelic poetry and Scotland at Edinburgh Univesity’s Boyd Orr Building (Tuesday 11). In Carnoustie, heritage stonecarverDavid McGovern asks: ‘Who are the Picts and are they still here?’ at Càrn Ústaidh Hub (Tuesday 11).

Treat your ears as Glasgow’s Listen Gallery hosts Mahasin A, Simon Howard and Saoirse Amira Anis with new sound performances, inspired by recordings from the Digital Archive Of Scotish Gaelic (Thursday 20). Poetry meets music as Ainsley Hamill continues to tour her album Fable through the end of November, and fans can catch her in Stirling (Wednesday 19), Taynuilt (Friday 21) and Helmsdale (Saturday 22). 

Push The Boat Out also features a strong showing for Gaelic, with Translation Beyond Dominant Languages featuring Robbie MacLeòid, and Bàird Bhaile featuring Niall O’Gallagher, Mia Suhaimi, Iona Mairead Davidson and singing weatherman Calum MacColla (both Sunday 23). Then, after winning the Traditional Gold Medal at Mòd Loch Abar, Màiri Callan (pictured) unfurls Sgeul is Seirm (Friday 29), exploring musical storytelling with Gaelic song and contemporary music, at Glasgow’s Civic House, alongside Alice Macmillan, Fionnlagh Mac A' Phiocar and Miles Norris. Then celebrate St Andrew’s Day with Clann an Druma at Slay in Glasgow (Sunday 30), as thunderous drums and soaring bagpipe melodies to raise the atmosphere and fill you with national pride.