What's On Scotland 2-9 Jun: Cowgate Pop-Up Market

Every week The Skinny picks out a selection of events from the Scottish cultural calendar to provide you with this guide to the most exciting goings on in the week ahead. From gigs, plays and exhibitions to spoken word and pop up cake shops, we give you the insider's guide to things to do in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee every Thursday morning.

1. Cowgate Pop-Up Market

Custom House Leith, Edinburgh. 4 Jun, 10am

The men in suits might have shut down plans for the return of the Cowgate Pop-Up Market back in April, but don't you worry, don't you worry, reader. The Pop-Up's got a plan for you. And that plan consists of relocating the cancelled event to Custom House in Leith and filling its Georgian catacombs with vintage clothing, crafts, design, music and food. Check out Campfire's mini-documentary on last year's event here. Get excited. Image: Verbals Picks

2. Glasgow West End Festival
Various venues in Glasgow's West End, 3-26 Jun

It's the West End's turn to become engulfed with cultural activity this month thanks to the return of Glasgow West End Festival. Things kick off on Friday and will continue throughout June, but we've already earmarked our favourites from this week. Check out TeaGreen's art, design and contemporary craft market at the Botanic Gardens (pictured), a Caorunn Gin Meet The Maker event at Hyndland Fox and free al fresco folk music at the Lismore Sessions Street Party.

3. Surreal Encounters: Collecting the Marvellous

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 4 Jun-11 Sep

Go and get stuck into some delicious surrealism at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern art. Opening on 4 June, Surreal Encounters brings together works of art from four collections, those of Edward James, Roland Penrose, Gabrielle Keiller and Ulla and Heiner Pietzsch. Even bloody lobster telephone makes an appearance – worth the dollar indeed if tripping balls is up your street. Image courtesy of Rene Magritte

4. XpoNorth
Various venues in Inverness, 8 & 9 June

It's a big month for Inversnecky as XpoNorth takes grip between 8-9 Jun, bringing artists, musicians, speakers, publishers, film-makers and crafters together for a grand old time. You'll have the chance to sit in on talks and workshops from industry leaders before heading on down for a corker of a live music programme including The Pictish Trail, Catholic Action, Breakfast Muff, WOMPS (pictured) and American Clay. Image: Derek Robertson

5. Meadows Festival
The Meadows, Edinburgh. 4 & 5 June, 11am-6pm

There's nothing like a June afternoon spent in the sun-soaked Meadows to remind you why you put up with Edinburgh's bastard climate for the other 11 months of the year. And, thanks to the return of Meadows Festival, this weekend you can trade in your ineffective disposable BBQ and frisbee for food trucks, market stalls, live music, face painting, storytelling and performance. Prepare for the inevitable panorama of drop-crotch harem pants, tin whistles and spontaneous yoga sessions, too.

6. Joe Hill Book Signing
Waterstones, Glasgow. 9 Jun, 1pm
Blackwells, Edinburgh. 9 Jun, 6.30pm

Mid May saw the release of a new post-apocalyptic tale from Joe Hill (aka Joseph Hillström King). The novel, entitled The Fireman followed up his previous hits Horns and NOS 4R2. Luckily for you, Hill’s got plans to visit both Sauchiehall St Waterstones and Blackwells Bookshop for a good ol’ chinwag about his terrifying tale. Read our interview here, and then go wag that chin.

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7. Imaginate Festival: The Bookbinder
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. 3 & 5 Jun, times vary

This week we wave g’bye to Imaginate Festival, a programme of theatre and dance for children in Edinburgh. If you’ve got a small-fry you fancy treating to some live entertainment, try The Bookbinder, a tale in which a bookbinding apprentice is drawn into a fantastical turn of events. Expect paper sculpture, puppetry, shadows, music and lashings of charm.

8. Balkanarama 9th Birthday
The Caves, Edinburgh. 3 Jun, 10pm
The Art School, Glasgow. 4 Jun, 10.30pm

Sure, most people wait until the turn of a decade to throw a colossal birthday bash, but Balkanarama's never been one to conform. Why start now? Join the purveyors of Balkan bashes both ends of the central belt, bringing 40 performers, Balkan Beats DJs, costumes, jugglers, fire-breathers, jam sessions, live visuals, a giant baklava birthday cake, plum brandy and Turkish coffee to the Art School and The Caves. A happy nine years indeed.

9. Brew at the Bog Festival
Bogbain Farm, Inverness. 3-4 June, 11am

Time to scrape that mud off your wellies and optimistically purchase some sunscreen – it's music festival season. Best kick things off with Invershnizzle’s Brew at the Bog, featuring the likes of Idlewild, C Duncan, White, Paws, Eliza Shaddad, De Rosa and Pinact (pictured). There’ll also be an outdoor cinema, tonnes of art and comedy and the chance to rent out a yurt if you’re a fancy wee fuck. Read more about the line-up here. Image: Amy Muir

10. Thon Man Molière
The Lyceum, Edinburgh. Tue-Sat until 11 June, 7.30pm (matinees available)

Liz Lochhead’s new play Thon Man Molière is borne of the former Makar’s passionate interest in playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. However, her play isn’t some sort of dusty old bio-play telling the tale of the man known to many as Molière – far from, in fact. It’s actually a cackle fest, full of scandal, bust-ups, delights and surprises. But that's all you're getting out of us – you'll have book your tickets to find out the rest.

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