Scottish Food Events and Festivals: November 2019

We start with a pair of fairly topical booze-ups courtesy of The Pop Up Geeks. Their bar at the Market Street Arches hosts King (28 Oct-3 Nov) over Halloween, scaring the bejeezus out of you all with some Stephen King-inspired tipples. If there isn't a drink inspired by The Running Man on the list, we'll be very disappointed. That’s followed by the launch of Cantina (from 11 Nov), their new Star Wars-inspired concept that seems to be inspired more by the bad lads in the Death Star than by the good guy Rebels or the soft, lovely Ewoks. Arch 14, East Market St, Edinburgh, thepopupgeeks.com

Longing for summer trips to warmer climes? Or just unsure what to make for dinner? Either way, TV’s very own Rick Stein has a new book of French recipes to go with his new BBC series. He’s in Edinburgh this month to flog said book, and talk a bit about his long relationship with French food. Will he be able to tell you why your sauces keep splitting? Who knows, but it couldn’t hurt to ask in the Q&A. Greenside Church, 1b Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 8 Nov, 8pm, £26 (includes book), tickets via toppingbooks.co.uk

The Edinburgh Vegan Festival returns with another oversized programme of animal-free talks, exhibitors and stalls. There’s a Vegan Christmas Market to help you get stocked up for the months ahead, and a Chocolate Tasting Workshop that’ll look at the ethics and origins of chocolate before letting you loose on some tasty treats. There’s also a programme of talks, a live podcast recording, and a whole host of other plant-based stuff to check out. Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, 10 Nov, 10.30am-4pm, £1-15, tickets via veganfestival.co.uk

It’s a similar situation over in Glasgow, as the Glasgow Vegan Winter Festival returns to the Trades Hall in the Merchant City. There are 50 stalls per day featuring a host of vegan delights from all over the shop, as well as cooking demos, workshops, talks and more. Trades Hall, 85 Glassford St, 23 & 24 Nov, 10.30am-4.30pm, £3-15, tickets via Eventbrite

Next, an afternoon of tasty beers and lovely tunes courtesy of a couple of favourites round these parts – community-minded record label Last Night from Glasgow, and the always-fabulous Inn Deep. Tunes On Tap features sets from the likes of Zoë Bestel and Mt. Doubt’s Leo Bargery to go alongside a selection of tasty pints from Williams Bros. That’s a not-bad Sunday afternoon, we reckon. Inn Deep, 445 Great Western Rd, Glasgow, from 1pm, free or £5 to pre-book (includes a pint), tickets via tickettailor.com

And finally, it’s off to the Southside for GinFall Gin Festival. We’re talking exclusive gins, gin cocktails, and gin liqueurs. Ever wanted to meet a gin distiller? They’re right there, talking about botanicals; go and have a chat! Want to *make* a gin cocktail? You can! Looking for some food? GinFall has “gin-inspired” cakes! Also, a gin raffle, which is fairly self-explanatory. Oh, and if you somehow end up at this event but don’t like gin, there’s also a rum room. Pollokshields Burgh Hall, Glasgow, 30 Nov, 12-4pm & 5.30-9.30pm, £15-20, tickets via tickettailor.com