VisitScotland has scoured the country to bring Your Weekend readers news of the latest events and exhibitions taking place in Scotland over the next few weeks.
As the snowdrops begin to sprout and the days get that little bit longer, we have everything to help celebrate the coming of spring. From Glasgow’s International Comedy Festival, or the newest exhibition from the Museum of Scotland, there’s loads to get stuck in to during March.
NEW ATTRACTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS
ABERDEENSHIRE’S CASTLE TRAIL
VisitScotland has announced a brand new eBook to promote Aberdeenshire’s Castle Trail. The trail has visitors travelling 361 miles of beautiful Aberdeenshire landscapes, to more than 19 beautiful and unique castles. The eBook will also include fun facts, big imagery, short videos and details on which castles you can stay in. From the marvellous Balmoral Castle, to the ancient ruins of Dunnotter castle, the castle trail has it all, and one can delve into 4,000 years of history in just six days.
The Aberdeenshire Castle Trail is open all year round. Visit:
http://ebooks.visitscotland.com/
scotlands-castle-trail/
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH: THE TOMB – ANCIENT EGYPTIAN BURIAL
The newest exhibition will tell the story of one extraordinary ancient Egyptian tomb. Built around 1290BC, and after centuries of use, it was sealed in the early 1st century and left undisturbed until its excavation some 1,900 years later. The Tomb: Ancient Egyptian Burial explores a tomb constructed in the great city of Thebes (modern day Luxor) shortly after the reign of Tutankhamun. First built for the chief of police and his wife, it was looted and re-used several times, leaving behind a collection of beautiful objects from various eras.
WHERE: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
WHEN: March 31 – September 3
COST: Free
ELLISLAND FARM HERITAGE CENTRE. DUMFRIES, SPOOKY GHOST TOUR
Famed for being the home of Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns and the inspiration behind his epic masterpiece Tam o’ Shanter, Ellisland Farm is readying up for its new ghostly tour. Enchanted Ellisland will see people taken on a tour of the farm and the local surrounds to get behind its spooky past, rich history and mystical folklore. Visitors will face the past and discover a collection of curious tales, both from Ellisland and her environs: the tragic story of a wise witch-woman, hauntings that terrified residents of a local farmhouse and a swan whose image brings death.
WHEN: Begins March 26
WHERE: Ellisland Farm Heritage Centre, Dumfries
COST: TBC
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL
Top comedy stars from around the UK and beyond will be visiting Glasgow, arguably the home of stand-up comedy, to entertain and enthral with a whopping 400 shows, in over 40 venues across the city. They’ll be complemented by the very best of home-grown Scottish talent for a comedy extravaganza that makes it Europe’s largest comedy festival. From Stewart Lee, Susan Calman, Reginald D. Hunter, Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle and Russell Howard, the Glasgow International Comedy Festival promises to be as funny and “braw” as ever. The festival will also celebrate comedic film, theatre and the spoken word with a number of shows and premieres across the 18-day festival.
WHERE: Various locations across Glasgow
WHEN: March 9 – March 26
ACCOMMODATION NEWS
KINLOCH LODGE, SKYE
Perhaps now more famed for its food that its fascinating clan history, Skye’s Kinloch Lodge is celebrating the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology with a package that guests can revel in thanks to its new Heritage Experience. During a two-night stay, guests will receive a private tour of Kinloch’s historical paintings and artefacts, a guided walk to a nearby archaeological site – one of Skye’s abandoned villages – and can take self-guided excursions to some of Clan Donald’s ancient strongholds. All this will be mixed with Kinloch’s famous breakfast, five-course dinners in the Michelin-star dining room, afternoon tea and absolutely stunning surrounds.
WHERE: Kinloch lodge, Isle of Skye
COST: £450pp low season to £650pp high season
ABERDEEN’S CHESTER HOTEL NAMED BOUTIQUE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Aberdeen’s luxury hotel, The Chester Hotel, was named Boutique Hotel of the Year and IX Restaurant’s executive chef Kevin Dalgleish was named Head Chef of the Year at the Prestige Hotel Awards 2017. Voted by the public, the inaugural Prestige Hotel Awards aims to showcase and reward outstanding service within Scotland’s hotel industry. The Chester Hotel comprises 50 bedrooms, including two luxurious suites, which are individually designed featuring contemporary décor, stylish amenities and the latest technology. The multi-award winning IX Restaurant team is overseen by executive chef Kevin Dalgleish, and specialises in fresh fish, shellfish and quality steak dishes.
WHERE: Queens Road, Aberdeen
For further information click on to visitscotland.com