Over 25 million people around the world claim to be of Scottish descent, and many visit to sample the famous traditions of the mother country. Highland games, with pipe bands and caber—tossing, vie with whisky and agriculture festivals for their attention.
Feis Ile - lslay Festival of
Malt and Music
Venues vary, lslay, Argyll, 27 May-4 June See page 75
Royal Highland Show lngliston, Edinburgh. 22-25 June See page 18
lnverness Highland Games Bught Park, lnverness, 22—23 July See page 79
Cowal Highland Gathering Argyll, 24—26 August See page 22
Braemar Gathering Aberdeenshire, 2 September See page 23
Andrew O'Hagan fall into that category. Fingers crossed eh'? (BD)
13 AUGUST - 3 SEPTEMBER
Edinburgh International Festival I : Venues vary, Edinburgh. 26-285. 0131 473 2000. eif.co.uk
The capital's flagship summer festival began in 1947 as 'a platform for the flowering of the human spirit' after the destruction of WWII. New it lavrshly programmes S‘8m of classical music. opera, dance and theatre. with the latter two skewed towards modern work. Unlike the Fringe. pertorming companies are chosen and invrted by the Festival Director. (RH
14 ~ 27 AUGUST
Edinburgh International
Film Festival 2:".
Filmhouse. Cameo. Cineworld. Edinburgh. GFT. Cineworld. Glasgow. (0)131 228 4051. edfilmfest.org.uk
The best UK based film festival marks its (30th anniversary this year with what one hopes will be considerable aplornb. With more strands than a cheese straw. the EIFF always boasts an impressive programme of challenging, progresswe. stimulating and brilliant films as well as fantastic talks. lectures and other events. The EIFF has been gomg from strength to strength in the last few years. with sell- out audiences for the majority of the screenings - so make sure yOu book early. (PD)
18 ‘ 20 AUGUST
The Green Man Festival I I I I Glanusk Estate. Brecon Beacons. £98. 01874 611129. thegreenmanfestival.co.uk
Now in its fOUrth year and with a beautiful new site.
22 THE LIST 25 May—8 Jun 2006
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21 - 22 AUGUST
Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival I
Edinburgh international Conference Centre 8. the Odeon. Lothian Road. Edinburgh. Delegate passes £155 before 1 Jul; £195 afterwards (student £75). eief.co.uk
A sharneless <;e|<:-l)ration of all things digitai. ttrwi ‘8 the world of vrdeogarning r. all its glor‘. part of the festival is a confererwe and sernirr'rr“ fr r
ltri: Phil."
delegates rthe k(:‘,ti()le speaker has been i ontrrrni-«r as David (Earner. [7xe<;iiti‘.e Vim,- President. Chief Operating ()fll(;(3l of E A's World \‘y’rde Stiidir rm But for the public there's a chance to ser: sneak peaks m? up coming releases i1)? Airgr. il Ni
23 - 26 AUGUST
Festival of Politics 5?
Scottish Parliament. Edinburgh. Prices vary. 0131 483 2000. festivalofpoliticsorg.uk
With Vanessa Redgrave gracing this newest adr litrnn
Politics
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to Edinburgh's August mayhem in 2005. the organisers would have to go some to match that kind of star billing. Well, rumours are already abounding that they have done it rand then seiner With a major name in the film world. a fashion guru and two hot British broadcasting talents coming on board. (80)
24 - 26 AUGUST
Cowal Highland Gathering I I I Dunoon Stadium, Dunoon, Argyll. 21-212. 01369 703206. cowalgathering.com
Edinburgh Internat‘nal Film Festival
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25 - 27 AUGUST
Reading& Leeds Carling Weekend I I Richfield Avenue, Reading; Bramham Park. Leeds. One day 5260. Weekend sold out. readingfestival.com
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26 AUGUST
Creamfields I
Daresbury Estate, Halton. £54, Hospitality tickets £95. cream.co.uk/creamfields legerrrlam lltrlls‘.‘ nit;er (Learn tries to riririi; .i t :‘ wt glamour to Hit: .‘xorlrl mt Ilan: rnrr 'rr .i field l mitiiri'ir; perhaps their most diverse lllit‘ HK‘ .vt ‘.‘.’|ill .i strengthened live stagi- hinting tltw l’irwliriy (idldtraprr, the /iitorrs anri ( ‘rriarls Harllw. Ar it, .is y()Ll.‘."(,’(;()Hl(.‘I(1t'X[i(‘\,l from the l i\.t,‘l‘)()'i! mirrwrr llll)_
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