Excursions

Guildtown Bluegrass Music Festival
Guildtown, Perthshire
July 31st – August 3rd
Perthshire goes all Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? with its annual four-day festival of Americana. Guildtown Village Hall plays host to the best of Scottish and US Bluegrass, guitar-picking talent including evening concerts from The Georgia Flatpickers and local heroes Dapper McDans, plus afternoon workshops and open mic sessions. £35 gets you an all-events pass, plus camping. Beers and good local food available from neighbouring event sponsor, The Angel Inn.
www.scottishbluegrass.com

Ship Inn
Elie, East Neuk

The recent T:20 World Cup may have kickstarted a revival of populist interest in cricket, but it’ll have to go some to beat the magic ingredients that the Ship Inn in the East Neuk village of Elie has introduced- sand, sea and Pimms on tap. Every summer its all-conquering Ship Inn XI take to the picture-perfect Blue Flag beach to bat against big-name opposition including, in the past, the all-star Lashings World XI. Look on from the pub’s beer garden with a glass of that fruity punch or, if you’re feeling flush, indulging in an ice bucket of Bollinger, the club’s official sponsor.
The Ship Inn, Toft, Elie, Fife KY9 1DT 01333 330 246
For fixtures, visit www.ship-elie.com Tel:

Largs Viking Festival
Largs
The annual festivities, which commemorate the final Viking invasion of the UK (the 1263 Battle of Largs) will open with an RAF Typhoon Jet display above Glasgow’s favourite seaside haunt (be warned- in 2005 this apparently caused a War Of The Worlds-esque panic of mass car alarm triggering and freaked locals calling the police), before launching into a week-long family-friendly spectacle including a Viking Village, fun fair and food tents. It culminates in a full-on battle re-enactment complete with sword fights, ceremonial burning of a full-scale longboat and ye olde, totally-authentically-13th century fireworks display.
29th August- 6th September
Full programme at www.largsvikingfestival.com

Red Kite Feeding Station
Argaty Farm, Stirlingshire

Sitting silently by a muddy riverbank for 17 hours in the faint hope of spotting a Velvet Scoter? No ta. A surefire way of guaranteeing a bird sighting is heading just north of Stirling to Argaty Farm. Here, at 2.30pm each day (farmwork permitting so best to book ahead), dinner (ie dead bunies) is set out for the local wild red kites to come feed; kick back in the comfy hide and watch up to thirty of these stunning raptors tear Peter Rabbit a new one.
Argaty Red Kites, Doune FK16 6EJ
Ranger Led Visit to Hide £4 www.argatyredkites.co.uk Tel: 01786 841 373

Gourock Outdoor Swimming Pool
One of Scotland’s last remaining outdoor saltwater pools, the baths at Gourock offer swimmers surprisingly beautiful views across the Clyde Estuary and – praise be!- water heated to 84 degrees. 2009 sees the lido celebrate its centenary and, with al fresco swimming venues a real rarity in Scotland, don’t wait for a scorcher to take the plunge- as the website endearingly states ‘rain really enhances the swimming experience!’. Summer extras include Midnight Swims in July & August- every attender gets their own certificate.
Gourock Outdoor Pool, Albert Road, Gourock, PA19 1NQ
Adult Swim £3.90
Open 7 days a week; Mon, Weds & Fri 9am-8pm; Tues & Thurs 8am-8pm; Sat & Sun 10am-4.30pm
www.inverclydeleisure.com Tel: 01475 631 561

 

Linlithgow Palace Scotch Hop
Linlithgow

Actually, we thought it was 'Hopscotch' at first, which, in an opulent palatial setting sounds too good to be true, but one could always bring one's own chalk I suppose. That said, if Ceilidh dancing is your thing, then there can't be many more exhilarating dance venues than an ancient castle, laden with centuries of Scottish history. Open to all age groups and all levels of dancing ability, dancing takes place in the courtyard (weather permitting) and there's tea and biscuits included in the price.

Wednesdays 15, 22, 29 July and 5, 12 August
£7.50 (£5.00) Children under 12 free.
Contact: 01506 842 896
http://www.scotchhop.co.uk/


Hebridean Celtic Festival
Stornoway, Lewis

This event has grown in popularity since inception in 1996, with past headliners including the Waterboys, the Proclaimers and Van Morrison. This year, the theme is homecoming, with acts from around the globe (North America, Australia, em...Ireland) migrating to one of Celtic culture's spiritual homes. As well as music, there's street art, photo exhibitions and ceilidh dancing and workshops on all of the above. Tickets are priced per event, though it is possible to buy a weekend ticket for the main arena.

15-18 July
Mainstage weekend ticket £59
Contact: 01851 621234
info@hebceltfest.com
www.hebceltfest.com


Vibe Tours

Vibe Tours are a new tour operator with a fresh approach to seeing the sights of Scotland. Although they specialise in trips to music festivals and other special events, it is also possible to customise a tour according to taste or budget (from inexpensive walking tours all the way to cruises down the Caledonian Canal and 5 Star accomodation). Exclusively for Skinny readers, they're offering a 10% reduction for their Wickerman festival tour . Just say our name, SAY OUR NAME when you call or email. 

Contact: 0131 226 1514
info@thevibescotland.co.uk
http://www.thevibescotland.co.uk/

Five Sisters Zoo Park
Gavieside, West Calder

Conveniently located between Edinburgh and Glasgow, what started out as a small pet farm to entertain children has grown into a large collection of mammals, birds and reptiles (presumably, children will be ever more entertained). Annie, the Golden Eagle, happily resides with a selection of kookaburra and parrots, tree frogs and scorpions, leaping lemurs and some West African Dwarf Crocodiles.

Zoo entrance £6.00 (£4.50), Children £4.00, Family (2 adults, two children) £18.00
Contact: 01506 872974
enquiries@fivesisterszoo.co.uk
www.fivesisterszoo.co.uk

 
Beecraigs County Park
near Linlithgow

Once you've parked the caravan or erected the tent it's time to engage in the myriad of outdoor pursuits that are hosted in the picturesque environs of the Bathgate Hills. Archery, kayaking, orienteering and even winter pursuits such as skiing and snowboarding should be enough to work up an appetite at the Beecraigs Restaurant. Venison comes recommended, and there's a good chance you'll have petted your own Bambi Burger earlier in the day at the red deer herd that live in the park.

Open all year, park admission is free.
Contact: 01506 844516
mail@beercraigs.com
www.beercraigs.com

Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool

Well, it makes sense doesn't it. The North sea is not really designed for casual dipping at any time of year, but 75 years ago, the folks at Stonehave hit upon the idea of building an art deco 50m pool, and heating up the water. Genius. This year, they've also opened a paddling pool for the little 'uns, along with a series of events to celebrate that 75th anniversary.

Until 6 September, opening times vary.
£4.60 (£2.60)
Contact: 01569 762134
friends@stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk
www.stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk


Stobo Castle Health Spa
Stobo, Peebleshire

A health spa that comes equipped with a forest, a loch, oh and a well-maintained Scottish castle has to be pretty good, no? You can choose the option of relaxing with a Swedish massage, or a full body oil treatment (no idea). There's also a pool and a gym for those extra strenuous among you and lots of last-minute deals to be had.

£39.50 for a half day, overnight stay (plus meals) from £89.50 pp.
Contact: 01721 725300
reservations@stobocastle.co.uk
www.stobocastle.co.uk

Yacht Corryvreckan
Hebrides

Named after the gulf of Corryvreckan (with its infamous tidepool) south of Oban there are a wide range of cruises available on this 10-person yacht. From tracking down puffins, guillemots, dolphins and whales along the west coast, to a Classic Malts Cruise around the distilleries in the Hebrides, the owners Chris and Von Lindesay also have the noble aim of making an exciting holiday a sustainable one.

Prices vary between £450 and £750 for one weeks sailing
Contact:  0845 260 2677
corryvreckan@dunsfold.net


www.dunsfold.net


Swimming with the fishes (in this case SHARKS)
Deep Sea World, North Queensferry

He's a 12 foot long Sand Tiger Shark, and he's MEAN...possibly. And if you do want a scare-induced overload of adrenaline outwith A&E on a Saturday night then he's ready to get up close and personal with you. Apparently, no experience necessary, har har. Good luck!

Packages include overnight hotel stay and start from £199)
Contact: 01383 411880
www.deepseaworld.com


Zorbing/Sphereing
Perthshire

Yes, we've possibly seen Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips roll around an adoring crowd strapped into a Bloody Big Beach Ball but it's not just international music stars who get to have all the fun! You too can strap yourself into your own personal hamster wheel, and as it says on their website finally find out what it's like to be inside a washing machine, if you haven't found that out already.

£45-£65 per person
Contact: 07884 492 920
ruaraidh@dunalaister.co.uk
www.activityscotland.co.uk