Spring is here and Scotland is the perfect stage for festivals, food and family fun throughout the warmer months. There is a diverse and vibrant range of events taking place across the whole of Scotland so now is the perfect time to discover the country’s hidden gems and explore its world-class line-up of events and festivals. Connect with friends old and new and experience the extraordinary range of events taking place in Scotland between now and the end of summer.

Tradition and sport collide in the Orkney Island Games (12–18 July), with athletes representing 24 island groups from across the world. A dozen sports are featured in this celebration of diverse island communities. Meanwhile, the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association has a full calendar of events, including the Inverness Highland Games (12 July), Stirling Highland Games (16 August) and Cowal Highland Gathering (Dunoon, 28–30 August).

Over on the north-east coast, the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen (19–22 July) arrives with a majestic parade of more than 50 tall ships sailing along the Beach Esplanade. Accompanying the vessels is a packed cultural programme, including Festival Of The Sea and Quayside concerts. And the Robert The Bruce Festival (Dunfermline, 31 May & 1 June) celebrates the life and times of Scotland's legendary hero with jousting, falconry, archery, storytelling and more.

The City Of Discovery is the setting for Dundee Pride (14 June). Taking place in Slessor Gardens, the event focuses on progressing LGBTQ+ equality, awareness and inclusion. Pride South Lanarkshire (Hamilton, 2 August) is another vibrant celebration, and both events welcome people from their respective communities and beyond. 

It’s shaping up to be a packed summer of sport. The penultimate stage of the Lloyds Tour Of Britain Women (7 & 8 June) starts and ends in the Borders town of Kelso, with the final stage starting and ending in Glasgow Green after racing through the streets of the city on a packed day with cycling-themed events and activities for all. The Genesis Scottish Open (9 –13 July) visits The Renaissance Club on the outskirts of the beautiful town of North Berwick for four days of world-class tournament golf. Best of all, the whole family can enjoy the event which also includes a special performance by KT Tunstall as part of Fringe By The Tee (an ongoing collaboration with Fringe By The Sea) and a family zone featuring inflatable assault course, face painting and more. The ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open (Dundonald Links, 24–27 July) features 156 top women golfers; previous winners include Scotland’s Carly Booth and Catriona Matthew.

Scotland is a hive of multi-arts festivals. Solas Festival (Errol Park, Perthshire, 20–22 June) is a joyous weekend of music, art and broad discussion. St Magnus International Festival (Orkney, 20–27 June) celebrates Midsummer in a magical setting. The East Neuk Festival (25–29 June) focuses on classical music, with special tributes to Beethoven and Schubert. Pittenweem Arts Festival (2–9 August) brings colour and creativity to East Neuk, with art on display in unusual venues, including people's homes. Edinburgh famously plays host to some of the world's biggest multi-arts festivals throughout August (while dipping into the surrounding months). And the Nairn Book And Arts Festival (30 August–7 September) celebrates literature, art, music and drama.

The Scots know how to party, and Scottish music festivals attract audiences from across the world. The Gathering (Inverness, 24 May) celebrates the best of the Highlands and beyond with live music from Skippinish, Red Hot Chili Pipers and Torridon, with food and drink in a child-friendly setting. Eden Festival (Moffat, 12–15 June) has 250 acts headlined by MOBO winners Bob Vylan. Heartland (Pitlochry, 28 & 29 June) returns for its second year, with Skerryvore and Kyle Falconer taking to the stage. Kelburn Garden Party (Fairlie, Largs, 3–7 July) is a multi-arts festival set in the stunning grounds of a painted castle. And Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (outside Inverness, 31 July–2 August) is headlined by Texas, Supergrass and Paul Heaton.

Finally, outdoor enthusiasts have lots of great events to look forward to. Stranraer Skiffieworlds (6–12 July) is the world championship of the St Ayles class of coastal rowing boat, with family-friendly activities on shore plus races on the water. The European Senior Touch Cup (Stirling, 15–17 August) features a raft of teams from across the globe, with plenty of activities for the whole family. The Monument Mile Classic (Stirling, 30 August) is a World Athletics-affiliated one-mile race for all abilities. And Skyline Scotland (Nevis Range, Fort William, 20 September) is a world-class mountain and trail running event attracting more than 2000 participants for a range of challenges. Finally, fans of piping can look forward to Piping Live! (Glasgow, 11–17 August) and World Pipe Band Championships (Glasgow, 15 & 16 August).

Whatever you fancy doing or seeing this year, Scotland is the perfect stage for events.

Find out more on the VisitScotland site. Main picture: Luigi Di Pasquale.