TOP EVENTS
Balmoral Castle. Tours of the grounds, gardens, ballroom and exhibitions, 11am, noon, 1pm and 2pm, Saturday.
Royal Lochnagar Distillery, near Ballater. Tours, 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm, Saturday.
Crathes Castle, near Banchory. Christmas Past – Sir Alexander Balbrindie and his “off-centre” family invite you to a Victorian Christmas House Party, 10am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday; Visit Santa’s Grotto where Porridge the Donkey will be keeping him company, 12.30-2.30pm, Saturday; Cairngorm Reindeer Parades with Santa, noon and 2pm, Sunday.
Leith Hall, near Huntly. A Very Victorian Christmas – children’s activities, quiz, crafts and Santa, 1-4pm, Saturday and Sunday.
House of Dun, near Montrose. Santa’s Grotto and Craft Fair, 10.30am-5.30pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Delgatie Castle, near Turriff. Victorian Christmas with visit from Santa, 10am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday.
The Tolbooth, Castle Street, Aberdeen. Winter’s Trails. Phone 01224 523700 for further details and to book, 4pm and 6pm, Sunday.
Castle Fraser, near Sauchen. Christmas Carols. Booking essential on 0844 493 2164, 2pm; Scandinavian Christmas – Santa Lucia welcomes the Christmas season with carols and poems by the fire in the historic Great Hall. Booking essential, 6pm, Sunday.
Kingussie. Special Sunday Christmas Shopping Day and Christmas Lights Switch On, noon-5pm, Sunday.
Provost Skene’s House, Guestrow, Aberdeen. Candlelight Tours. Phone 01224 523700 for further details and to book, 6.15-7pm and 7.15-8pm, Wednesday.
INVERNESS
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. Homecoming Advent Calendar and Precious Cargo exhibition. The Homecoming Advent Calendar counts down to 2009 with a theme of migration, boats and the sea. Behind each window is “precious cargo” – a “souvenir” which people carry with them on their travels prompting memories and reminiscences of home, 10am-5pm, today, tomorrow, Saturday and Monday until Wednesday.
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh Playhouse. The Witches of Eastwick starring Marti Pellow as the devilish Darryl Van Horne – a bewitching musical based on the Warner Brothers movie which starred Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Cher. Phone 0870 606 3424 or visit www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk for performance times and to book, Wednesday until January 3.
GLASGOW
George Square. Family Fun Days featuring a packed programme for the young and young at heart. Have a laugh with Glasgow International Comedy Festival, marvel at the ice sculptures or have your face painted. Skate, visit the carnival, try some experiments with Glasgow Science Centre, listen to animated festive stories and mix music and fun with Real Radio. Visit www.winterfestglasgow.com for further details, Saturday and Sunday.
DUNDEE
Camperdown Wildlife Centre, Camperdown Park. Meet Santa and his Elf, make cards in the art and craft area, and enjoy refreshments and mince pies in Mrs Claus’s cafe, noon-4.30pm, Saturday and Sunday.
PERTH
Scone Palace. Santa’s Weekend featuring a host of festive activities and visit by Cairngorm reindeer (Sunday only). Phone 01738 552300 or visit www.scone-palace.co.uk for further details, Saturday and Sunday.
OTHER EVENTS
Royal British Legion, Nairn. Tombola in aid of Macmillan Nurses Highland, 7.30pm, tonight.
Kincardine and Mearns Advice Bureau, Barclay Street, Stonehaven. Aberdeenshire Energy Efficiency Advice Project drop-in session, 10am-noon; Also at Banff Library. 10.30am-12.30pm; Whitehills Library, 2-3.30pm, today.
Central Library, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen. CDs, DVDs, language courses and prints for sale, 9am-7pm, today; 9am-5pm, tomorrow and Saturday.
The Stables, Cromarty. Christmas Art Sale, 2-6pm, today and tomorrow; 11am-1pm, Saturday and 11am-6pm, Sunday.
Quaker Meeting House, Crown Street, Aberdeen. Song and Poetry for Peace featuring local singers, poets and open mic. All welcome, 7.30pm, tomorrow.
Carinish Village Hall, North Uist. Knitted Fish Auction and Family Ceilidh, 7.30pm, tomorrow.
Cloverleaf Hotel, Bucksburn, Aberdeen. Byron Boys Under 11s Race Night with raffle, buffet and special guest Phanella. Phone 0784 171 9859 for further details and to book, 7pm, tomorrow.
United Reformed Church Hall, Nairn. Christmas Fair, 1pm, Saturday.
Aberdeen Waldorf School, Craigton Road, Cults. Christmas Fair, 10am-4pm, Saturday.
West End Community Centre, Alness. Christmas Fair, 10.30am-2.30pm, Saturday.
Auldearn Primary School. Christmas Fair, 11am-1pm, Saturday.
The Creative Waste Exchange, Poynernook Road, Aberdeen. Open Day – your chance to buy low-cost, good-quality craft, office and stationery materials from the centre which accepts and re-sells donated stock which would otherwise go to landfill, 10am-2pm, Saturday.
Crown School, Inverness. Christmas Bazaar, 1-3pm, Saturday.
St Columba’s Scottish Episcopal Church Hall, Nairn. Christmas Sale, 10.30am-12.30pm, Saturday.
Westbank Home, Oldmeldrum. Coffee Morning and Christmas Fair, 10.30am-noon, Saturday.
Ledgowan Lodge Hotel, Achnasheen. Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair, 11am-4pm, Saturday.
Cults Kirk, Quarry Road, Cults. Singing Waiter Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of the Vine Trust, helping street children in Peru, 10am-noon, Saturday.
Boat of Garten Village Hall. Christmas Fair with Santa’s Grotto, 11am-3pm, Saturday.
The Square, Dornoch. St Andrew’s Fair with Farmers’ Market, 10am, Saturday.
Cameron House, Culduthel Road, Inverness. Christmas Market Stall, 10am-1pm, Saturday.
Dyke Hall, near Forres. Moray and Nairn Floral Art Club Christmas Coffee Morning, 10am-noon, Saturday.
Fire Station, Harbour Road, Inverness. Car Washing in aid of the Children’s Ward, Raigmore Hospital, 10am-3pm, Saturday.
Inverness Town House. Arts and Crafts Fair, 10am-4pm, Saturday.
Munlochy Village Hall, Black Isle. Coffee Morning in aid of Fortrose Academy Malawi Link, 10am-noon, Saturday.
Royal British Legion, Nairn. Nairn Dementia Day Care Coffee Morning, 10am, Saturday.
Moray Art Centre, The Park, Findhorn. Christmas Classes (phone 01309 692426 for further details and to book). Recyclable Christmas gifts, 1-4pm, Saturday; Sculpting of Silver with Alan Baillie, 10am-5pm, Sunday.
THEATRE
Grantown Grammar School. Grantown Grammar School presents Oliver! – The Musical, 7.30pm, tonight and tomorrow.
Little Theatre, Nairn. Nairn Drama Club present Jack and the Beanstalk, 7.30pm, tonight until Saturday; 3pm, Sunday.
Aberdeen Arts Centre. Attic Theatre presents Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood, 7pm, tonight, tomorrow and Monday until Wednesday; 2pm and 7pm, Saturday.
Eden Court, Inverness. Aladdin, 1.30pm and 7pm, today, tomorrow and Monday until Wednesday; 2.15pm and 7pm, Saturday.
Dundee Rep Theatre. Beauty and the Beast. Phone 01382 223530 or visit www.dunderep.co.uk for performance times and to book, today until January 3.
Macrobert, Stirling University. Mother Goose. Phone 01786 466 666 for performance times and to book, today until January 3.
Red Shoes Theatre, Elgin. An Evening of All Things Red Shoes – music, dance, comedy, monologues, mask and more, 7.30pm, tomorrow.
HM Theatre, Aberdeen. Peter Pan starring Alan Fletcher (Neighbours), Keith Jack (Any Dream Will Do), Alan McHugh, Jordan Young and Kelle Marie Walters, Saturday until January 4.
The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen. WAC presents Birdhouse – a new play by Catriona Yule, 7.30pm, Tuesday; 2pm and 7.30pm, Wednesday.
Thurso High School. Thurso Players present Hansel and Gretel, 7.30pm, Wednesday.
MUSIC
Shiro’s, Barclay Street, Stonehaven. Open blues jam and open mic session, 9pm-1am, tonight.
Raigmore Motel, Inverness. The Quireboys, 7pm, tonight.
Cowdray Hall, Aberdeen. Electroacoustic Music from the studios of Aberdeen University Music Department, 12.45-1.30pm, today.
Strathpeffer Pavilion. Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain, 8pm, tonight; Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett, 8pm, Monday.
Duff House, Banff. Dreaming of a White Christmas with Jennifer Logan, 7.30pm, tomorrow.
Victoria Hotel, Forres. Forres Country Music Club: Johnnie Bremner, tomorrow.
Portmahomack Hotel. Live music, 9pm, tomorrow.
The Clubhouse Hotel, Great Western Road, Aberdeen. Pete Narojczykand the Spooks (blues), 9pm-midnight, tomorrow.
Glen Urquhart Public Hall, Drumnadrochit. Nuala Kennedy, 8pm, tomorrow.
Heugh Hotel, Stonehaven. Stonehaven Folk Club: Kieran Halpin. All welcome, 8.30pm, tomorrow.
Red Shoes Theatre, Elgin. Friday Live featuring the very best of local talent, from 4pm, tomorrow; Gospel Choir Showcase, 7.30pm, Saturday.
The Rusty Nail, Aberdeen. Hedgehog Pie, 9.30pm, tomorrow; JB and The Classics, 9.30pm, Saturday.
The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen. Shell Friday Live featuring Martin Allan, noon, tomorrow; Scottish Cultures and Traditions session, 12.30pm; Soul Funkin Hot, Saturday; Electro pop band Alabama 3 plus support, 8.30pm, Wednesday.
Torphins Hall. “Country Loon” Sandy Reid. Tickets from Calders Bakery or phone 013398 82747, 7.30pm, Saturday.
Music Hall, Aberdeen. Scottish Chamber Orchestra with principal guest conductor Olari Elts and German violinist Isabelle Faust, 7.30pm, Saturday; Rockin’ On Heavens Door, 7.30pm, Sunday.
St Mary on the Rock Church, Ellon. Ythan Singers’ Christmas Concert, 3pm, Sunday.
Mannofield Church, Great Western Road, Aberdeen. Unicef Carols and Candlelight Concert performed by the Acclamations Ecumenical Choir, 3.30-4.45pm, Sunday.
Aberdeen Arts Centre. Eastern ADVENTure? – Arthur Bruce and Friends, 7.15pm, Sunday.
Ironworks, Inverness. One Night of Queen, 7.30pm, Sunday; Alabama 3, 7pm, Tuesday.
Mastrick Church, Aberdeen. Christmas in Harmony with The Aberdeen Chorus. Tickets from 01224 699742, 7.45pm, Monday.
Inverness Town House. Piano recital by Arta Arnicane, 8pm, Tuesday; Alea Baroque Quartet, 1.10-2pm, Wednesday.
JAZZ
Red Shoes Theatre, Elgin. Moray Jazz Club, 8-10.30pm, tonight.
The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen. Jazz Aberdeen: Tommy Smith, Arild Andersen and Paulo Vinaccia, 7.30pm, tonight.
Broadford Hotel, Isle of Skye. Camerata Ritmata, 8pm, tomorrow.
Eden Court, Inverness. Claire Martin and Ian Shaw – Cool Yule, 8pm, Saturday.
The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen. Belhaven Sunday Jazz: Buchaneers Jazz Band, noon, Sunday.
Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness. Ness River Rhythm Kings play jazz from the 20s and 30s, 9-11pm, Tuesday.
CLUBBING
The Tunnels, Aberdeen. The Wonderlands, Stone Fidella, Secret Summit, CCJ, Craig Scott and Heather Lamont, 8pm, tonight; Super Six Funk Machine, No Soucis, Kimmy Reizeger and Gutta P, 8pm, tomorrow; The Little Feat Guitar Duo featuring Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett, 8pm, Saturday; The Present plus support, 8pm, Sunday; The Hussys, Cast of the Capitol and Which Way Now, 8pm, Wednesday.
Cafe Drummond, Aberdeen. Blues Night with Papa Mojo, 10pm, tonight; The Locals, Disco Filth, The Limits and Stimulant, 8pm, tomorrow; Guns 2 Roses (Guns and Roses tribute) and Liars Dice, 8pm, Saturday; Battle of the Bands with Which Way Now Duke, 8pm, Tuesday; Open Mic, 10pm, Wednesday.
Tiger Tiger, Aberdeen. SexyGlam – funky house, commercial pop and disco funk music with DJ Kevin Green, from 9pm, Saturday.
DANCE
Kirkhill Community Hall, near Inverness. Social Dance with Susie Simpson, 8pm-midnight, Saturday.
New Elgin Hall, Elgin. The Jolly Dancers Social Dance with Jock Fraser, 8pm-midnight, Saturday.
Station Hotel, Stonehaven. Stonehaven and District Country Music Club: Dual Circuit. Phone 01569 740600 to book a table, 8pm, Saturday.
Memorial Hall, Dufftown. Old Time Dance with Graeme Mitchell’s Band, 7.30pm, Saturday; Scottish County Dance Social, 7.30pm, Tuesday.
Banff Springs Hotel, Banff. Banff and District Accordion and Fiddle Club Christmas Ceilidh with Ceilidh Tyme, 7.30pm, Wednesday.
GALLERIES
Kilmorack Gallery, Beauly. Christmas exhibition, 11am-5.30pm, today until Sunday.
The Art Gallery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Life Forms by Kincard-Art, 8am-8pm, today until Wednesday.
Inchmore Gallery, near Inverness. Christmas exhibition, 10am-5pm, today, tomorrow, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday; noon-5pm, Sunday.
Aberdeen Art Gallery. My Heart’s In The Highlands – 19th-century watercolour paintings by Scottish, English and foreign artists; BP Portrait Award 2008, 10am-5pm, today, tomorrow, Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 2-5pm, Sunday.
Brown’s Gallery, Castle Brae, Tain. Northern Lights, 10am-5.30pm, today, tomorrow, Saturday and Monday until Wednesday.
The Castle Gallery, Inverness. Christmas exhibition, 9am-5pm, today, tomorrow, Saturday and Monday until Wednesday.
Tore Art Gallery, Black Isle. Black Isle exhibition, 10.30am-4.30pm, today, tomorrow, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday.
Marywell Gallery, The Steading, Marywell Park, Checkbar, Aberdeen. Limited Dimension Winter Exhibition by prominent north-east artist, 9.30am-5.30pm, today, tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday; 10am-4pm, Saturday.
Country Frames Gallery, Leslie, near Insch. Celebration – work from a variety of established artists and emerging talent; Display of work by Turriff artist Alison Kenyon, 10am-4pm, today, tomorrow, Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Moray Art Centre, The Park, Findhorn. An Leabhar Mor/The Great Book of Gaelic – work of more than 200 poets, visual artists and calligraphers from Scotland and Ireland creating a major contemporary artwork in the form of a visual anthology, 10am-5pm, today, tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday; 10am-4pm, Saturday.
An Tobar Arts Centre, Tobermory, Isle of Mull. There is a Tide exhibition, 10am-4pm, today, tomorrow, Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Peacock Visual Arts, Castle Street, Aberdeen. Island to Island/Australia to Orkney by Tim Winters, 9.30am-5.30pm, today, tomorrow, Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
An Talla Solais, Ullapool. Christmas Show, 1-4pm, tomorrow until Wednesday.
MUSEUMS
Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Shiprow. Famous naval engagements, racing yachts and shipping in the 20th century by Harold Wyllie; Wireless – exhibition tracing the history of the wireless using highlights from the museum’s collections and contributions from the BBC, 10am-5pm, today, tomorrow and Saturday; noon-3pm, Sunday.
Museum na Eilean, Stornoway. Stornoway Ironworks exhibition, 10am-5.30pm, today, tomorrow, Saturday and Monday until Wednesday.
Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre, North Uist. De-struction ceramics by Allison Weightman and Ehren Tool, 10am-5pm, Saturday and Monday until Wednesday.
MARKETS
Kintaline Farm, Benderloch, near Oban. Local Origins Rural Network Producers’ Market, 10am-3pm, today.
Eastgate Precinct, Inverness. Inverness Farmers’ Market, 9am-4pm, Saturday.
The Square, Grantown. Cairngorm Farmers’ Market (to be held in Inverallan Church Hall if adverse weather), 10am-3pm, Saturday.
Drummers Corner, Peterhead. Farmers’ Market, 9am-2pm, Saturday.
High Street, Montrose. Farmers’ Market, 9am-1.30pm, Saturday.
Belmont Street, Aberdeen. Aberdeen Country Fair, 9am-5pm, Saturday.
Neil Ross Square, Ellon. Farmers’ Market, 8.15am-12.30pm, Saturday.
Queen’s Park, Langside Road, Glasgow. Farmers’ Market, 10am-2pm, Saturday.
Kinross. 10am-4pm, Sunday.
EXHIBITIONS
St Andrew’s Church, Alford. Alford Community Centre’s Painting for Leisure Group present Alford Goes Abstract exhibition, 7.30-9pm, tonight; 10am-4pm, tomorrow and Saturday; 1-4pm, Sunday.
Talla Nan Ros, King Street, Kingussie. Newtonmore and District Floral Art Club Christmas Floral Art Display 10am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Details of events have been compiled from information supplied by various organisations. Care has been taken to ensure accuracy, but the Press and Journal accepts no responsibility for errors or alterations to details.